Teachers presents - class gift

I totally get those who dont want to, but i think the question is do you expect your child to be included on the card?

The parents make it very clear that they do not want to contribute or be involved with it (they say out of principle but the mother is extremely tight and yes they have income). If they wanted their child’s name on it, they would ask for it. This is the child’s 5th year of being the only name not on it. The card and message is sent to the parents WhatsApp group and the child’s parents can see for themselves that their child’s name is not on it. They seem to have no issue with their child’s name being the only one not included so why would the organisers go against the parent’s ‘principles’ and write his name down?

What's wrong with a card and a box of chocolates? I would roll my eyes if asked for a class gift contribution, it's so bloody try-hard. Thankfully both my kids are in secondary now where its not a thing to buy gifts for people for doing their job.

I absolutely agree with this. If, as you say, money may not be the issue, maybe they just don't think they should be being asked to spend anything on the teachers when they earn a good wage and the parents' children have missed enormous chunks of their education due to strike action etc.

I'll be honest, I wouldn't be putting any cash in. My child would be making a Christmas card for them, it's much more meaningful.

there is only one child’s name not on it...It wouldn’t be right to put this boy’s name on the card or write that the card is from the whole class as the boy’s parents don’t agree to it.

So an entire class of parents are happy to exclude one child because of his parents?

The parents in our class that organise it asks for a set amount - the smallest note - and write the names of the kids whose parents contributed on the card. Every year, for both Xmas and em the end of year present, there is only one child’s name not on it. The parents can well afford to contribute but don’t because they don’t agree with the idea of teacher’s gifts. It wouldn’t be right to put this boy’s name on the card or write that the card is from the whole class as the boy’s parents don’t agree to it.

However the same family have no issue with asking for all their kids to be included in free extra curricular activities provided by the teachers that are meant to be for certain year groups only because she doesn’t like paying for childcare either.

Going against the grain, i think if only 10 people out of 30 have chipped in its fine to do it from those 10. Its different if over 15 people out of 30 have chipped in as it would single out the minority group.

If children are signing a card, id let any child sign though as they wont know what their parents are doing.

Ughh I hate being asked for money for teachers presents, call me a tight grinch but there's just something about it, the expectation. They are in relatively well paid jobs. sometimes the expectation is more than I'd spend on a ( not close) friend for a token Xmas present. And yes we also get asked at the end of the school year , and once as a thank you after a school trip. Sometimes I just don't contribute. What happened to the days of a Xmas card to say thanks, or a hand made card from the kids?

What's wrong with a handmade card from the children, and a box of chocolates? Most teachers would probably prefer that, as it means more.

I don’t remember doing a big present for the teachers at Christmas. End of year, yes, but these things get out of hand and it can feel like you’re being asked for a tenner here there and everywhere. It soon mounts up.

I agree. A gift at Christmas is ridiculous. It's already an expensive time of year, and the teacher would be horrified to think parents were being guilted into donating.

I appreciate your dilemma but you’re going to look incredibly passive aggressive if you just put the names of the people who contributed.

Give the gift from the class and rethink the collections in the future. I don’t remember doing a big present for the teachers at Christmas. End of year, yes, but these things get out of hand and it can feel like you’re being asked for a tenner here there and everywhere. It soon mounts up.

I would always just say "from class 5A". But I would leave it a while longer - we're still in November so people probably just aren't thinking about it yet.

Definitely from the whole year. Some will not be able to give anything.
How do you gift to other school staff - cleaners, catering, maintenance, office etc?

Put love from year 5.

The teachers I know understand there is a cosy of living crisis there not going to be passed off

Please don't be ruthless it's not the kids fault nor the parents if they can't afford it, put "love from year 5" and be done.

Are you asking for a set amount that some people may not have to spare?