Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

A retired teacher here. While I would have been more than content with a thank you card, I would never call the small gifts I've had over the years as crap. Not even the many many boxes of chocolate when I don't like the stuff.

The shops pushing this is another thing entirely.

Maybe if it was personalised they might like it https://cantocandle.com/product/thank-you-candle/

But why do you feel you speak for everyone?
We receive the odd gift at Christmas etc and can assure you that they are appreciated and touching. Biscuits and chocolates etc are often shared in the staff room, which is even nicer. Of course we get things that aren’t wanted, but still appreciate the thought and rehome appropriately.

This is rude and the assumption that you speak for all teachers is condescending.
I’ve received little gifts over the years which are touching and so kind.

I’ve never given a teacher gift, I just don’t get it? I remember my Mum trying herself in knots over what to give our teachers at the end of term and she thinks I am the worst person ever for not giving my DC’s teachers gifts but I find the whole thing weird.

DH’s side of the family are all teachers and they don’t seem fussed either way, I don’t think they expect anything.

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.

The only time we have ever given a gift, is for a teacher that brought her own books in to school for the kids to lend as the library was limited. We bought a book token to say thank you. Both the teacher cried, she was so touched we acknowledge what she had done. By her reaction noone else had done that 😟

Greydiamond

I am sorry that recognition isn't shown for your important work.

That's kind of you, but it's not the point I was trying to make.
I did my job back then because it was my job and I felt absolutely recognised. I knew from talking to families that I'd done well.
I certainly didn't think "Well, I like coffee/chocolate/wine/spa days".
I do like them, obviously, but that's not the point.

If it's now the thing to give teachers something over and above their wages, fine. I'll give it, but I see it as a tip. Or, worse, an automatically charged gratuity.
I'll pay it but I would rather tip extra because of good service rather than because "everyone does".

The people don't but I am sure / hope the families do. If they don't, I am sorry that recognition isn't shown for your important work.

I usually do candles, or biscuits/chocs because TA friend tOld me that most teachers leave them in the staff room and everyone shares, which is fine by me. This year dd is leaving primary school so will probs give something more substantial, just need to think what.
ds16 who has asd has had a challenging time at school and he’s had a team supporting him since year 7, once since before he transitioned from year 6. I will get them some sort of gift card because they’ve put up with him that whole time. The probably can’t wait to get rid of him 😂

I hate threads like this. It makes it seem like all teachers/TAs are ungrateful.

Not true. At all.

I'm a TA. In the last few weeks I've had a homemade key chain, a homemade bracelet, and a small bunch of picked flowers that a child collect on their way to school.

I am grateful and cherish any gift I receive from one of my children.

I will keep that key chain and bracelet forever.

I don't drink but I'd still be grateful for a bottle of wine. It's the thought that counts and shows that a child/parent thinks enough of you.

The children at my school come from very poor and deprived backgrounds so any gift is gratefully received, cheap or homemade, it will be cherished and appreciated - whatever it is.

For our kids teachers the whole class gave £5 each and they got them a gift card.

This is hilarious. I can only the imagine the teacher smiling politely while thinking WTF!

Totally agree

They should accept the gifts with good grace. It's called being polite.

Sarcastic.
People don't notice you on their journey though ITU. Hence the "busy being nearly dead" part.
I absolutely didn't expect anything when doing that job. I'm now a bit fed up with feeling mugged for tips for teachers.
As I've said, anything done above and beyond their job I'm more likely than most to reward.
But, when it gets to the point that collections are being held for vouchers or spa days as a matter of course just because it's the end of the year. I'll hand over my money but I'll see it as nothing other than tipping the postie at Christmas.
Happy to have my money back if that's not acceptable.

Cards are lovely. Chocolate is good and alcohol if you drink it.

I wouldn’t want anything that I had to keep like mugs/ teddies. Imagine having to find space for 30 gifts.

Id say a gift card is the best gift, £5 for Costa etc. Or a joint gift card from the class.

Good advice.
I used to give my kids' teachers a bunch of flowers at random times during the school term
Never at the end of the school year

I always thought gift cards were a nice way to say "thank you", along with a heartfelt note of things one appreciates a teacher for doing.

I would be so chuffed if I had 30 boxes of chocolates 🍫

That's why I buy them essentials, like pens, paperclips, prit stick, sticky notes etc... things they can actually use!

I hate these threads as they are so mean spirited. I'm a career teacher (25 years and counting)
These things are true in my experience

1. The absolute nicest thing is a really heartfelt written card and a nice email to the head about you.
2. We appreciate all presents. I have never once heard a colleague moaning about a gift
3. I don't drink and have received many bottles of wine. I simply regift/take to parties etc
4. If any child or parent is kind enough to get me a gift, I appreciate it. My desk has lots of little trinkets on that I have been given

Nothing about this should be competitive or judgey. It's heen a hard time recently for teachers so presents and cards are always welcome but the smallest and cheapest of things are great.

thequeenoftarts

I especially love the spa day voucher idea, what a nice treat for a teacher to get.

Ooh! I'd love that for doing my job too.

Or even a voucher for the local arts and crafts store as I know a lot of teachers spend their own money on supplies for their kids during the year.

Ah. No, we parents provided those things.
<brightens> Can we get a spa day?

<thinks> No. That wouldn't work, would it?

Some fab ideas on this thread for teachers and T/A's and office staff too, especially the hamster lol. I can see some poor teacher getting 30 hamsters this summer😂sorry not sorry, dying laughing here.
Not a teacher myself but do work in an industry that gets a lot of thank you gifts and we are always so appreciative of them. Flowers, chocs, biscuits, booze of any variety, home baked goods and hampers are amazing.
Once I got a gift voucher as a thank you and it blew me away at how thoughtful the family were to think of me. My personal fav was a beautiful candle with a scent I love and as for the thank you cards, the ones to me personally are always kept and treasured.
I take them out sometimes and read them and they make me feel special and fuzzy inside, like, I did something nice for someone and they cared enough to say thank you. That means such a lot to me.

I especially love the spa day voucher idea, what a nice treat for a teacher to get. Or even a voucher for the local arts and crafts store as I know a lot of teachers spend their own money on supplies for their kids during the year.
The nice teas, coffees, drinking chocolate and biscuits are very well received I would think as well.

I'm a teacher and I think that you are looking at it from the completely wrong perspective OP.
The children's faces as they hand over a card that they wrote in, flowers they chose or something that they made is priceless.

What we don't want is people buying for the sake of buying, that is not what it is about.

(And I am another who has kept lots of cards over the years. I love them!)