Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

I'm a teacher. I love it when the class have a collection and I get a voucher and a nice card. That is amazing. My colleagues also really appreciate a voucher too. As a parent I also love contributing to a class collection as it usually works out cheaper (if there is a teacher and 1 or 2 classroom assistants) and I know the teacher will appreciate a voucher that he or she can spend on whatever they like. 🎉 It's a real treat. As much as we appreciate all the wee gifts I hate waste and I feel guilty having a pile of stuff I won't use and I then try to give them away. I still have mugs, hand cream and candles falling out of cupboards (first world problems I know). I do love cupcakes and chocolate though and I have kept some wee thoughtful gifts and cards I've received.

She’s not a teacher

Those are nice gifts.

Cheesy mugs and Pinterest projects are not. Also it's embarrassing for the parents that they make the junk projects and not the kids.

Also I feel sorry for them with all the personalised tat they can't even donate.

So, not everyone then, just selected people.

I love getting anything tbh and it has never made me show any favouritism towards any kid ever.

Offs! Every year about teacher gifts! Teachers are actually normal people- some people like mugs, some chocolate, some are allergic to diary, some like flowers and some people love “cheap” wine, others vodka! Who knows! A gift shows appreciation and I’m sure if a teacher gets something they don’t like, they don’t stress about it and donate or regift it but they enjoy the sentiment attached to it!

DDs teacher is usually given a massive hamper in what seems like competitive gift giving from some parents. I think its inappropriate to give alcohol, money, or free services at your own business etc because I think it leads crossing of boundaries and favouritism.

I think the school should put out a note suggesting 'cards only'.

I’m a teacher - never expect gifts but it’s always so nice when I receive a couple at the end of the year!

When teaching I received a front row ticket to the Ballet at covent garden. And I bloody loved it.

We do vouchers. That is the best thing to gift imo. It doesn't need to be a lot but if you spend 5 pounds on mugs you can contribute that instead.

My girls always made a card and put a freddo frog in it. That they had bought themselves, especially for their teacher.

The teachers would make it seem like the finest present they ever had.

I gave books for the class/school library.

If you do a group collection, a bottle for each of the office staff would have us weeping with joy! We cover your arse all year getting messages and looking after kids not picked up on time, helping out and often get zilch. It's the most unexpected families that remember us, not the ones who are there every day asking for help

I think there's 2 camps in teaching. I love a handmade card or a picture and anyone who recognises my TAs equally is golden in my view. A large gift voucher makes me feel odd though I'm grateful. I'd be happy to have a ban on gifts for staff.

Some of my colleagues start prepping their class weeks before, telling them their fav chocs, coffee, perfume etc. they also advertise their birthday well in advance which makes me uncomfortable.

Ungrateful much ? Let people get what they want and be thankful you are appreciated 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Please don't presume to speak for all teachers. At DS's school we club together to buy teachers and support staff Amazon vouchers, so they can choose something they want, as well as a group card with messages of thanks from all. The staff seem to be really appreciative, and I shan't be refraining from organising it just because a random MNetter isn't keen.

Teacher here. Happy to accept wine, chocolate and gift vouchers although of course I don’t expect anything at all.

it’s true about mugs. Every few years I have to give them away because my cupboards won’t close anymore. Same with scented candles. Can’t burn them quick enough!

I agree I don’t want birthday or Christmas presents anymore either. The world is full of crap gifts.

A poem. A hand written sincere note highlighting effective change I have made in a persons life. Much more meaningful.

I hear you! It did seem odd to post on the behalf of ‘friends’. This topic just winds me up because we have had teachers saying it in the media before and it aggravates me because some people on very low incomes genuinely stress about this and if cheap wine is all they can afford then it’s not a cheap gift!

I shall disengage though..

It isn't expected but it's very heartwarming to get anything. A quiet Year 7 girl very shyly gave me a bunch of tulips yesterday and whispered 'Because you're my favourite teacher.' So cute!

Classic presents over the years: a broom head 'for the horse' 🤣🐴 It's been a great doorstop for years. Anti-ageing cream. Hilarious! Lots of booze, various mugs, kilos of chocolate (I told everyone I'm allergic last year, still got some), Joules gloves.

One of my best presents was a lovely pen with a flower on from a child in my form. I spent a lot of time looking after him and talking to mum. The best thing for me is a personal message in a card, I keep those.

We give out blank thank you cards to our forms and ask them to write messages to any adult in school, be it the catering manager or the caretaker. It's nice to say thanks.

@SJ1991x

I would recommend not engaging with the OP. They're just being a goady fucker and enjoying winding every one up.

This reminds me of an episode of
The Detectorists

😁

Secondary here so gifts are rare. Teachers do really value messages and letters. One of our gorgeous kids (her mum is a baker and a farmer) makes two huge( I mean massive) pavlovas every summer and every Christmas. Summer covered with berries from their farm, use their own eggs. I do get gifts of wine and crocs from agencies(well we used to) and after a bit I asked if they would get me a box of tea bags or a jar of coffee for the staff room.

My MIL is an ex teacher so based on that experience we plan on getting some really high end chocolate - not Hotel Chocolat, the kind that's a bit niche real treat.
To go in a basket with posh teabags and coffee for all the staff in his class (ASN unit so high staff ratio)

Absolutely agree that most wine given is crap and tbh it's such a personal thing anyway (I don't drink it and everyone I know who does has strong preferences as to red/white or the country of origin etc...)

How fucking ungrateful.

My neighbour was a postie who didn’t drink and he’d often get given wine. He’d accept it gratefully and then regift it. He’d never complain. We know because he gave us a few bottles at Christmas.

If someone takes the time to purchase you a gift, even if you think it’s cheap, they’ve put the effort in to go and purchase a gift. Maybe the cheap wine is all they can afford? Your teacher friend needs to assess the fact that she’s lucky to get given gifts that someone has gone out and purchased with them in mind.