Your ideal end of year gift?

[22loopyloo]

My DS's primary school teacher has done above and beyond this year for him. We want to give her something really special at the end of the year. What is the best end of year gift you've been given, or what would you love to receive? I think she is about 28-30.

[LockedOutOfMN]

I would love a voucher for a department store or a gift card for a spa / massage. Obviously those are expensive - dream - gifts and I wouldn't expect them from anyone, and if they were ever given they'd be a joint gift from several students or a whole class.

I'd also love a voucher for a coffee shop as I love coffee and taking a quick break if I have some time to myself on a Saturday (typically after I exercise on a Saturday morning). I'd also love a book token to buy a book to read over the summer holiday.

Is there another member of staff you could ask for suggestions? If not, then a gift voucher can be a good bet (e.g. M&S, John Lewis?)

[superram]

Book token, coffee token sounds great. Not flowers as we tend to go away or chocolates as we get lots. A card would be lovely, I like wine! I also like nice stationary. Posh highlighters and a5 post-its are nice as are posh red/green pens, the ones school buy are crap.

[LockedOutOfMN]

Agree with superram I would appreciate nice stationary however I'd think of a coffee voucher or book etc. as more of a present "for me" (if that makes sense).

[Bekindtoall78]

I'm a primary teacher and last year made my daughter's teacher a nice breakfast hamper and put 'enjoy the leisurely breakfasts' on it.
Extremely cheesy but relatively inexpensive to make and I know I love my leisurely breakfasts and coffee in the summer holidays.

[LJdorothy]

Stationery is great, and I like the coffee voucher idea but a heartfelt thank you letter means most.

[LockedOutOfMN]

a heartfelt thank you letter means most

Yes, that's true.

In this sad day and age of 'evidence' for absolutely everything, an email to the Head is probably the most helpful gift for a hardworking and dedicated member of staff.

[Roseandharry]

An email to the head is always lovely!!! I think chocolates are the worst gift - I have no self discipline and chocolate hanging around during the summer is dangerous for me !!!!

[rainbowfudgee]

Personally I like being given decent bubble bath, pretty travel mugs or a nice water bottle, cards and pictures drawn/ written by the children or book tokens. Even a new book for the class book corner is a nice present. Board pens or glue sticks would be a treat as we never have enough! I wouldn't expect gifts but they are nice to have. I'm not keen on home made cakes etc from infants as their hygiene can be questionable!

[ASauvignonADay]

A nice card, or wine!

[LurksNoLonger]

I love it most when parents club together for spa vouchers/days. By the end of the year I need some serious relaxing!

[Lulu1919]

Voucher for a local coffee shop would be gratefully received.
I once was given Homemade cake ..that was lovely too.

[Trialsmum]

Last year my favourite was a small box of Hotel Chocolat chocolates. It was a coincidence but the mum got my favourites just right and they felt really indulgent but not toooo unhealthy!

[bandito]

You would nail it for me with a decent bottle of wine and an email to the Head (not mentioning the wine, but definitely including the phrase 'above and beyond'.)

[wentmadinthecountry]

Email/card really appreciated. I am really grateful for all gifts but it is my job so really no need. I like personal stuff and stationEry, but also once got a fabulous voucher from the whole class.

Ideas of what to get the class (3/4) also appreciated...

[SeagullsStopItNow]

Last year I worked in YR4 and got them all personalised wooden rulers which I gave them with a card saying how much I had enjoyed working in their class with them.

Surprising how many children don’t have a ruler and no chance of getting mixed up with someone else when their own name is on it!

[monkeysox]

We're not allowed to accept alcohol or anything worth more than twenty pounds!

[EvilTwins]

I left a school last summer and had some lovely, thoughtful gifts. I'm secondary, so it's rare, but my faves were definitely a lovely card from a parent who told me that her DS loved my subject (drama) - she said that he is shy in other areas (I literally had no idea - he'd always been fab in my lessons and had played the lead in two school shows) but put "you have given him the chance to shine" That made my year welling up now thinking about it She also gave me two mini bottles of wine, and her DS had written the label. Another fave was from a girl who brought in cupcakes decorated with things to do with the school shows she'd been in (not sure if she made them herself or not, but no qualms eating them) and a book of photos one of the 6th form boys had put together of the things I'd done over the years he was at school.

So basically anything personal. I could do without wine, chocolates, smellies, vouchers - but the cards and the personal things stay with you.