Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

We always club together as a class and do decent amount in a John Lewis voucher!

I'm begging you to read the responses of actual teachers. It's not cringe. It's nice

My DS is taking his A Levels and asked his favourite teachers departments what they liked and bought one a very decent bottle of whiskey and another a case of beer with friends

I did cringe at the fact he didn't buy another teacher anything at all

Another ex teacher who adored getting gifts. What a grumpy post!

You don't speak for us at all! We all work hard all year for these children and a thank you gift is very much appreciated.

I hope it's clear by now how many teachers DO appreciate Thank you gifts. OP should really not assume they can speak for all.

Wow. Thats a bit harsh. I have a bottle of Bollinger for my daughter’s class teacher. If he doesn’t drink I’m sure he can find it a home.

Don't speak for all teachers, and teaching assistants too. Whilst yes the tat like mugs are not a great idea, things like Costa vouchers (or nearby independent) book tokens, amazon gift code, handmade cards, chocolates and yes wine are definitely appreciated, I've spent many an evening eating and drinking the gifts my friend received!

I work in a private school... I save up all the expense champagne I get for celebrations and Christmas! Definitely no Echo Falls here 😄

The entire class clubbed up and got the teacher tickets to a test match (he’s cricket mad). We checked if he was free.

He was very, very, happy.

I used to be a teacher. I don't think gift giving to teachers should be a thing, cards yes but expensive gift vouchers seems really over the top, and is very unfair on kids/parents don't have the spare money for this.

As someone who goes to charity shops I agree, they’re full of ‘best teacher’ stuff.

I worked in a school where a teacher came into my office. A boy who had been nothing but problems for 5 years had dropped off a card and a bar of chocolate for her, she had fought to get him through his GCSE. She sobbed her heart out.

At primary people bought a lot of over the top crap (literally massive gift bags of stuff) it felt very unnecessary.

One of my best friends is a teacher and used to flat share with two other teachers. I once went round after the last day of term and they were excitedly collating a haul of wine, chocolates and treats in preparation for their summer of fun. Her favourite necklace is one that a parent bought her - she’s been wearing it for 19 years! There was actually no mugs, teddy’s or similar “best teacher” type gifts.

She keeps the hand made cards.

My mum is a retired teacher and she still has gifts from children 40 years ago - things like Christmas decorations and table linen.

You don’t get to speak for everyone.

I'm not a teacher but I love teacher-gift giving season.

My MIL is a gluten-intolerant, diabetic who doesn't drink. Anything that isn't a voucher or beauty stuff gets unloaded onto us. The chocolate often lasts us months 😂

In my daughter’s school we tend to do a collection as a class and get gift vouchers for the local mall / area. We have 2 class teachers this year and they each got £150 of vouchers, plus odds and ends (cards etc) and gifts for the PSA at Christmas. Last year’s teacher got over £200 in a gift voucher. It’s never expected, but they’re always well received. I tend to write a thank you note too, last year I wrote poems as something different. We also get for the childminder and after school club, I know it’s probably overkill and I’m lucky we can afford it, but they’re people who have such an amazing impact on my daughter and her development, I couldn’t not get them something. My daughter’s love language is gifting, so she also gives random flowers and Easter eggs at Easter lol!

We usually just have the kids pick their favourite packet of sweets and write a thank you card. At Christmas sweets and a candle. I won’t stop as I’d love to get 30 presents 😅

It's the thought that counts and I appreciate everything I receive.

I've never had a space NK voucher though. I'm going to put in a complaint.

(Wouldn't have a clue what to do with one. I much prefer my collection of mugs)

I'm gonna become a teacher! Free goldfish, hamsters, booze, flowers, mugs, book vouchers. hampers, high street vouchers, you've got it made you teachers. Stop whingeing about shit!

#joking! I know you do a stellar job!

I know someone who was given a goldfish.

I still have the own brand pot noodle I was given by a year 11 leaver. He left 9 years ago. I smile when I see it in the cupboard.

Brilliant - totally bonkers but I love the idea of a person who thinks, I know; a hamster would be just perfect for Miss Roberts’ end of year gift. 😂

I have wonderful cards from my many years in teaching which I treasure. I used to come home at Christmas or end of the school year with a boot full of chocolate and wine which was much appreciated. Then parents clubbed together and I recieved very generous gift vouchers and I always used them to buy a lovely item, Roberts radio, lamps, clock etc. Now retired. Teaching is a very demanding job and any cards/gifts are so appreciated.

When did this custom creep in? I don't remember anybody doing it when I was at school in the 1960s.

I often think this, I hate cheap tat but I also think homemade gifts are a little cringe. Sometimes I see people have made things encouraging teachers to remember their child, like they haven't taught thousands of kids over their career

No! That’s so rude! I’m primary school teacher and I love gifts! Chocolates, flowers, homemade stuff is wonderful too. My family love it when I come home from school at the end of term!! Plus I don’t expect anything whatsoever. You sound very sure you’re talking for all teachers!! You’re not.