Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

I'm reluctant to contribute to a joint class present, based on two past experiences:

• One time, the organiser ordered a framed print with the names of every child in the class. That probaby went straight in the bin.
• Another time, the organiser (who I later found out was a Forever Living "Ambassador/Mumpreneur") made a hamper with all her aloe vera shit in it for the teacher. Which probably also went straight in the bin.

I decided no more joint gifts from then on.

My friend is a TA and her class parents clubbed together and gave her a gift card for afternoon tea for 2 at the Ivy! It was very much appreciated (by me too as she took me 😁)

I also think some parents feel guilty if they don't purchase something and then perhaps 'grab' something from the shop. Absolutely with the best intentions but they're perhaps wasting money that could be spent on them as a family.

I obviously don't speak for all parents and all teachers but perhaps in those cases, it would be good for the parents or carers to truly know it is okay to not get a gift and a heartfelt thank you would be just as welcomed.

In fact OP, I think unless you’re a teacher with 30 mugs a year you can’t speak for all us teachers. All little gifts are precious and valued!

I'm really sorry but I am unsure if you agree with my post or you're being sarcastic. Apologies if it isn't the latter.

I am a bit unclear about the 'busy being nearly dead' part.

I think you are totally wrong OP. I’m a teacher and I absolutely love anything my students give me. I know other teacher friends feel exactly the same.

You sound quite unkind op. When parents/kids buy gifts, it is with good intentions. They mean well.

I have two DC still at primary. There's a collection in each class and then we give them vouchers - the ones you can spend at a variety of retailers. Surely no one would object to that?!

I think it's great.
I wish people had clubbed together to tip me.
I was very pleased with the occasional thing I got when they'd stopped being too busy being nearly dead to give presents but it would have been better if they'd been organised.

Have you thought about getting the kids' parents to swipe a QR code?

For some schools a joint gift voucher will cause problems if it webs up being over £20 because it's the same as a cash gift and needs to be declared. To be honest I love the little gifts and cards. Cards are loveliest with messages but gifts are always very welcome and none of my colleagues have ever been sniffy about wine chocolates biscuits or flowers! Bring it on!

Er i do! I’m a teacher and love chocolate 😂

I really advocate folks clubbing together. I don't know how well known it is as an idea.

My mum used to be a teacher and still has numerous favourite mugs from children she taught and classes she fondly remembers.

I'm a teacher. I'm happy with a very heartfelt thank you.

However, if parents want to do something, club together a cash pot with other families (people put in as much or as little as they want).

As an example, £50 from a group of parents seems more sensible than £50s worth of mugs and keyring.

Surely everyone likes their efforts recognised. It's the thought not the value of the gift. Chocolate or bottles can easily passed on, there will no doubt be someone on the staff who likes it, or given to school fundraising efforts.

Best teacher mugs probably less useful only because you wouldn't want more than 1 or 2.

I don't think there is any teacher who gets 30 mugs every year. I do know teachers love any gift of thanks from a card to chocolates to flowers.

I am sorry to read some snobbery of gifts on here.

On a positive suggestion: if you know what day the teachers will be in school over the holidays, and live close, drop off some Greggs yum yums, make or buy a cake; I've known people drop off their home grown produce, fresh eggs, homemade quiche and other lovely things. The little gestures always go a long way. I made a load of bacon sandwiches one day when they were setting up the classrooms for the terms theme - that what 3 years ago and they still talk about it! It's a tiny village school BTW.

*Teacher

Teachers here and I’ve loved any presents I’ve been given-genuinely. I never expect anything and am very touched by cards, notes, a mug, flowers…all of it, it’s very very lovely!

When my 3 DC were at nursery and primary school I couldn't afford multiple teacher gifts. They took flowers from our garden and home-made cakes/chocolate truffles. I reckoned those wouldn't last long enough to be unwelcome.

I don’t expect anything but cards with a lovely note are the absolute best. One of my students gave me a twirl chocolate bar which was so sweet of them as I know they don’t have much money 🥰

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.

Hang on - you're not a teacher and think your friend represents all teachers? How strange. I am a teacher and adore the mugs, chocolates and cheap booze. It's about what the gift represents - appreciation for a tough year doing my best to support and help their child progress and spending each and every day nurturing them. A thank you card alongside it leaves me on an absolute high at the end of term.

It is not about the monetary value of the gift and I find it very sad that other teachers perceive what is intended as a kind gesture from child and parent to be 'beneath' because they consider the gift cheap or tat.

I'm actually quite offended that you are peddling that narrative.

I really don't know.
I'd be happy to give a card at Christmas and at the end of the school year.
lf I felt the teacher had been really good in some way, I'd happily give a present because I'd be so grateful that someone had been such a good influence on my child's life.
However now it's expected. Maybe not by the teachers but it is but, at least, by the children: "Muu-uum! Everybody's doing it!". So I think of it as a tip. I'd rather have the service charge (or the £3-4 a teacher is spending on my child apparently) applied and everyone's happy.
So, fine. Anybody who gives me a service above and beyond will get a meaningful message and a proper present.
Anyone else gets a tip.
Give it back if you don't want it.

What a miserable post! I don't know any teachers who are this ungrateful!

What a weird post. You’re not a teacher!
I always get a few notes and some chocolates/wine. It’s always lovely. Of course it is!

Thank goodness the spokesperson for all teachers is here. God forbid anyone try to show any appreciation to their child's teacher with anything less than a diamond ring. Go away & have a word with yourself please. I've been given token gifts from patients & I cannot tell you how grateful I am, that someone was thinking of me. It boosts morale to recieve a thank you, so I'll continue doing it for the people who make a difference in my/my child's life.