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Original poster

Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

467 replies

Graveltone · 24/05/2024 15:27

Even though schools have 5-8 weeks of term left, the shops have various TYT gifts such as mugs, coasters, keyrings etc. Teachers do not want this crap! Charity shops near me have numerous TYT mugs and crap on sale!

My friend is a teacher and parents have been told not to give gifts. Teachers don’t want 30 mugs, boxes of chocolate, alcohol (that is embarrassing if teacher doesn’t drink for various reasons) etc. Nor want flowers - don’t have enough vases at home to house 30 bunches of flowers.

Friend’s school accepts cards and hm gifts.

Think before you spend your money on your DC’s teachers.

OP posts:
crochetmonkey74 · 25/05/2024 07:47

Epidote · 25/05/2024 00:10

Good they don't like them because I can't afford 10 gifts. A tenner per head that is 100 quid that feed us nearly 10 days.

I will not fell poor or bad this year when everyone give them gifts and we don't.

No money gift is necessary. A drawing with some nice words means more , I have one on the wall of my office that still makes me well up

crochetmonkey74 · 25/05/2024 07:45

Prawnbacteria · 24/05/2024 23:04

I'm so glad you said that! I despair at parents who buy this stuff. I think it's actually quite self centered to think that gift is going to be special to that teacher and not realise they have taught 30 kids every year for many years and must be so bored of it. And how can they not realise that the planet doesn't need any more tat?

I'm very grateful to my DC's teachers and think they do an amazing job but unless it's a voucher they can use for something they actually want/need or a thoughtful card, please, please just don't.

Are you a teacher? Actual teachers on here are telling you it's not boring and we don't think it is tat.

Luio · 25/05/2024 06:48

I’m a teacher and I really appreciate the gifts and so do my colleagues. When I had a baby I got such lovely and useful gifts from my form group, I still remember them fondly 16yrs on. It is really odd that you are trying to police this. You aren’t even a teacher!

VashtaNerada · 25/05/2024 04:44

Another teacher here who absolutely loves gifts! I genuinely cherish any cards or gifts I’ve got along the way and remember which child gave me what.
I hate the thought of anyone who is strapped for cash feeling under pressure to get me something though. If you’re in that position, an email to the Head is a cost-free way to show your appreciation and that is also really appreciated by the teacher.

Peternabbit · 25/05/2024 03:27

Bemusedandconfusedagain · 24/05/2024 15:38

Funny, my kid's teachers seen very happy with the Space NK vouchers I usually gift.

Classic MN middle class reply!
Space NK?! Just no!

GreyGoose1980 · 25/05/2024 03:15

MonsteraMama · 24/05/2024 15:44

So because you have two friends who are teachers you think you can make a post speaking for all teachers? Bold.

This!

SallyWD · 25/05/2024 03:07

In our school we do a collection and then get vouchers like £200 John Lewis/Waitrose vouchers. I'm pretty sure they're appreciated!

Isometimeswonder · 25/05/2024 02:57

Wow, you're a flipping delight OP.
Mind your own business.

andfinallyhereweare · 25/05/2024 02:40

We chip in as a while class and get John Lewis vouchers or the like. Teachers always been very happy with that.

i agree re the mugs though (as an ex teacher)

CammyChameleon · 25/05/2024 01:58

I usually just do cards with a drawing in from DC, tbh. I don't like buying gifts for people I don't know well enough to know what they like, and frankly I think DS1's teacher last year barely warranted the card.

SiobhanSharpe · 25/05/2024 01:44

DH was a teacher and while he appreciated the mugs and ties etc, he absolutely treasured the handwritten notes he got from the students.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 25/05/2024 01:33

The nicest gift to get is a picture drawn by the child!

Frogpole · 25/05/2024 01:27

SabreIsMyFave · 24/05/2024 15:37

You don't get to speak for everyone @Graveltone One of my close friends is a teacher, and she loves it. Cute gifts from her pupils, and (often handmade) cards. She certainly doesn't get 30 bloody mugs either! And they're not going to get flowers, booze, and chocolates on top! You are exaggerating!

No harm whatsoever in getting a teacher a gift at the end of the school year. Unless the teacher has specified she wants nothing. Never have I known a teacher want nothing! Most of them love gifts!!!

@SabreIsMyFave OP isn't trying to "speak for everyone", she's expressing her opinion - as she is perfectly entitled to do. You, on the other hand, think that because one person once told you that every gift they've ever received is perfect in every way, every teacher on Earth must have the exact same experience as her. You're not just trying to tell OP what she can or can't say, you're trying to dictate what she's allowed to think. Not just OP, but all teach... wait a minute, hold on - who was it you feel needs telling off for thinking they're entitled to speak for everyone?

Crispsarethebestfood · 25/05/2024 00:40

I’m a secondary teacher.
I’d bloody love anything that showed I wasn’t thought of as shit off a shoe.

MissTrip82 · 25/05/2024 00:24

Lavenderblossoms · 24/05/2024 21:31

Coming late to the thread but when did teacher gifting start? I was born 80s, grew up in 90s and left High school 2002. I don't remember ever giving a teacher a present or a card. It just never seemed to be the done thing.

Born in 77 and our teachers were given a card and chocolates every year. No group gifts but these would have been harder to coordinate before class messaging groups.

Rookangaroo4 · 25/05/2024 00:12

My eldest daughter is a teacher and whilst she doesn’t expect due does loves the gifts.

Epidote · 25/05/2024 00:10

Good they don't like them because I can't afford 10 gifts. A tenner per head that is 100 quid that feed us nearly 10 days.

I will not fell poor or bad this year when everyone give them gifts and we don't.

PorridgeEater · 25/05/2024 00:04

A teacher friend and I both have a "candle drawer" full of candles we're never likely to use. Do like chocolate though! (especially if there wasn't much time for lunch).

viques · 24/05/2024 23:48

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 24/05/2024 15:43

My favourite gift one year was a packet of bourbons because the child had been so excited to tell me he had saved up and bought them for me himself. My heart melted.

Show quote history

My most memorable one was bubble bath in a bottle shaped like a knight in armour. I knew the child had chosen it himself, and I also felt proud because I knew that he had chosen to give me a present he would have loved to have been given himself. Thank you Matthew!

The bourbons were a lovely present!

NannyWanny1 · 24/05/2024 23:45

I’m a teacher and I never say no to gifts. The best gifts are the handmade ones Imo, knowing that little person you have taught all year has sat and made me something makes it so special and they love to present it to you, I have a stacking box full with the handmade cards and gifts.
I also love the Wine albeit “Echo Falls” and the chocs. 😋

Needmorelego · 24/05/2024 23:39

@Waffle78 I said about that thread earlier.
People were saying she was totally ungrateful - but she literally couldn't use it - not just dislike it.
You wouldn't buy a blind person a car and expect them to be grateful. I felt sorry for that teacher.

Waffle78 · 24/05/2024 23:36

Think it might have been last year a teacher posted on here if she was unreasonable to ask parents to get money back for hamper gift she couldn't eat. Most the items in it had nut's she had a nut allergy. But she was a single parent struggling to pay the mortgage and feed her DC.

kkloo · 24/05/2024 23:35

I remember we had a teacher once who told us at the start of the year, "just letting you all know, if you're ever getting me a gift, I love clarins" 😂
Then everyone or most would contribute a fiver or tenner or whatever it was and she'd get a clarins hamper.
I guess some would say it's cheeky but it's surely better than getting a load of crap you don't want.

Yousay55 · 24/05/2024 23:24

I love a gift to say thanks. I’ve always given gifts for my dc’s teachers too.
If you can afford a gift or card (homemade is lovely), please do. It’s nice to feel appreciated.

Hermione7 · 24/05/2024 23:20

Charming 🤨