end of year teacher presents?

[mum2twinboys]

I am interested to know what your thoughts are re end of year presents for teachers? At my DS school, one of the mums is trying to get a collection going for DS's teacher, to try to get a bigger gift. I come from the mentality that I do not want to feel guilted into buying something, and would much rather have DS make something for the teacher as opposed to buying something which he has had no input into.
Thoughts?

Also, a friend of mine who is a teacher, was talking to me about this the other day, and she was wanting to tell parents she did not want anything, mainly because she and her family are moving to America in the summer, and do not want extra "stuff". She did not want to appear to be presumptuois (sp?) by sending home a note saying that. She was asking what I would think if I received a request like that as a parent, and I was not really sure how to answer! Again, your thoughts would be appreciated, I can pass them on to her, as I did not know what to say!

[robinpud]

I too hate this whole climate of gift buying, especially as with PPA more children have more teachers which for some means they buy more presents.

I work ( very gently) on the children and make it very clear that gifts are not expected but if there's a way of suggesting that a book for the classroom would be appreciated then I do that.

If a parent wishes to buy something a well worded card would suffice. As a teacher I would be mortified if I thought any parent had been press ganged into contributing for a gift. We are, at the end of the day, only doing our job. Just my opinion tho' ... there will be torrent of opposition along soon no doubt!

[gingernutlover]

i am a reception teacher and books for the classroom are nice as a leaving present for the class. I have somone donate some playmobile once too and that has lasted ages and been a fantastic thing to have in class which we couldnt afford out of budget.

For the teacher themselves, the best thing I have ever recieved is letters and cards saying thankyou for the parents, I love it when someone is that pleased with what I have done that they take the time to write it down. I save all of the cards and letters I get. Although, maltesers also nice

[crocdundee]

Another teacher here, also of the opinion that home-made cards or letters are lovely to receive and they are what I treasure and keep. Course, I'm always grateful for presents but don't expect them. There's so many 'teacher gifts' around in the shops that I think it is becoming a climate of you must give gifts, which I think is totally wrong. At my school, we're looking into a charity fund which parents can donate to if they wish in lieu of pressies (lots of red tape though so might not get off the ground!).
Course not all teachers feel the same, in fact one ex-colleague moved to the private sector and one of her main reasons was that you get good presents (and she wasn't joking!).

[verygreenlawn]

We contribute to a fund every year for a small gift for the teachers and TAs, which seems to work well. In fact they usually get John Lewis vouchers, which I know I would appreciate.

You get the odd person that goes it alone with gifts on top of that, which always seems a bit OTT but it's their choice.

[Stayingsunnygirl]

A friend of mine had the idea of giving her children's teachers strawberries and cream as an end of year gift - something to show appreciation but that wouldn't end up taking up lots of space.

Home made cakes or biscuits might be nice too, especially if the child decorated them.

Another friend went back into class after the end of the last day before the christmas holidays, because her child had forgotten something, only to spot the handmade card her ds had slaved over, in the bin!

[wed99]

In my daughters classes we usually have a collection and buy gift vouchers for somewherelike M&S. We also get some plain card and cut it up into little notelets that the children decorate and can put a personal message in. We then string them all together as a keepsake for the teacher and TA.

[Northernlurker]

I don't buy anything at any other time except the summer and then I like to buy something I've chosen having spoken to my daughters. Last year I had four to buy (2 daughters with 2 job share teachers each!) and I went to Cath Kidston and got 4 make up or toiletries bags in the sale. I was really pleased with that as I knew at least one teacher loved that sort of thing and reasoned that the others could always give it away as a present themselves!

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I wouldn't personally like to give to a collection so would opt out of that.

DS likes to help choose the presents so it would take away that element. I shop online and load sites with appropriate gifts and we choose together, steering clear of anything labelled teacher.

Its nice to show appreciation and they put so much effort into teaching and all the extras they do for the children to make the school a lovely place to be.

[thecloudhopper]

Wine is alwas a good 1 and a card of thanks.

[mum2twinboys]

Its interesting to read so many diffent ideas and responses, so thank you for that. What would you think if you were to receive a note from the teacher saying they did not want anything though?

[handbagsatdawn]

I wouldn't like to receive a note asking parents not to buy presents - think its a wee bit presumptuous TBH. Maybe better if the teacher just keeps reminding the kids that they are not to buy anything, or to suggest a book for the class would be more appreciated. Not a note though.

[VinoEsmeralda]

I bought the teachers Oxfam gift cards which they all loved and were very grateful for. (or so they said )

I wouldnt mind a note and secretly be relieved as thats one thing less on my list to do!

[CAPape]

I think it depends on how you position it. For example, if it is 'as you know X am moving overseas at the end of term, and their container or whatever will be departing several weeks before they do, [teacher] does not want children's hard work and gestures to be left behind, perhaps the children could be encouraged to instead do a picture or note on an A5 sheet which can be stuck into a class scrapbook instead as a mememto', and perhaps sent by the head of year or Head?? I would rather receive somerhing like that than discover later than a gift or similar had been left for the next school fair!

[ConstantlyCooking]

In the past, I have cut up plain card into postcards and asked each child/family to draw, write or stick a photo on it. I then put them into a small photo album to give to the teacher instead of a card. Also usually do class collection and vouchers. This was there is a personal gift and something useful - in a normal class a £2 suggested contribution means a £50 voucher.

[whitie]

Similar to the last suggestion - the children in our class each had a piece of A4 card, stuck their photo in the middle and decorated the rest, one of them mums then threaded ribbon through to make it a book. Something for the teacher to remember the class by. Along the same lines another year each child was asked to draw a picture of their teacher, these were then cut out and mounted on an A3 piece of card.

DS usually makes biscuits as a personal thing, Waitrose.com have two great recipies, gingerbread & christmas biscuits. DS loves to decorate and I bought a pack of little cellophane bags, so put a couple in and tie with ribbon.

[ohmeohmy]

I do a tray of various slices/biscuits and send it in. DS in SN school so way too many teachers & assistants involved for individual presents. I'd better get baking

[notwavingjustironing]

I think the idea of buying books for the class is a great one. Do any of you teachers like this or would you be looking at me like I was mad?

Is it worth asking them if there are any favourites that need replacing?

Or would that be a step too far?

[notwavingjustironing]

By the way DS1 is in Reception moving up to Year One so some of the books are very "well loved".

[Elibean]

dd is in a bulge class, with two teachers and a TA. There is a collection going (of the 'put as little or as much as you like in and sign a card' sort) from the parents, but dd wanted to give her own present.

She wanted to 'make a book' about her first year at the school, and initially I thought it was lovely idea but resisted as I thought it would take aaaagggeees to help her draw, write, and staple together a book for each teacher. Then I found an online site which lets you add photos, blank pages (for drawings), text etc. in minutes.

dd's book has about 20 pages, and is going to cost nearly £20 so I've said it has to be for all the Reception teachers as a group, with a hand made card from her for each separately - but its a lovely thing to have made, with photos and her own words about her favourite things, her fears on her first day and how they changed, how she feels about her teachers etc.

I'm thinking about getting a copy for her to keep...bit soppy of me, but...

[whitie]

What's the name of the website Elibean? The book sounds like a lovely idea.

[Elibean]

Solentro - I think its Swedish, takes 2-3 weeks to send printed book

[Elibean]

Sorry: thats the name of the company, don't have website handy but I'm sure if you google it you'll find it.

[SooPee]

My daughter also made a card for her teacher in reception and saw the teacher throw it in the bin at lunch time. Poor DD was devistated and I also most went in and told her to a least wait til she had taken it home to trhrow away next time! I won't be buying gifts or asking them to make cards for teachers again.

[mummyeme]

Hi,
So nice to read this, I only wish the parents of my daughters class were the same.
Dd goes to a state school (reception year) and my idea was very much brushed off by an ex teacher who is one of the mums. I wanted to (with consent of the parent) have a photo or picture of every child in the class and next to it a picture they'd drawn and put them all together in a book. The mum in question said that as a teacher she used to get "things like this" and the novelty only lasted a few minutes, she would have much preferred a proper present and thinks any other teacher would. By this its been suggested that everyone donate a minimum of £5, preferably £10 which would be a collection to buy vouchers, £300 in all!!!
There has already been gossip about somebody who only dared to give £2 to the christmas collection. I feel really bullied into giving to the collection and would much rather get a keepsake or my daughter make something for her teacher and t/a. The mums all gossip about who's given what and I don't want my daughter to be left out and me be talked about if I don't conform.
It was a long way of saying it, but it's just lovely to see that people think the same as I do and teachers are grateful of keepsakes.
Phew! wish me luck at the school gate

[NeedaNewName]

Well I got DD1 to ask her teachers if they liked red, white or rose - this got a big laugh and a response of red!

I am also planning to get her to do her own card and then I will write a card to say how much we have appreciated all her hard work this year and how DD1 has blossomed in her care.

I like the ideaof a collection but would hate people to feel pressured to contribute as not everyone can