Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

I love to receive a picture they have drawn or a card they have written in and have kept them all down the years. Doesn't cost anything apart from their time. I still use a coaster and keyring everyday that I was made years ago.
I also appreciate every gift I am given and never expect a thing, but the best one I think has to be one parent asking us what sandwich we would like for our lunch as she wanted to buy us one each. So thoughtful as she didn't have a lot of money but most insistent when we said we had brought our lunches, knowing this.
Once got a Costa voucher too, that was great.
Just a verbal thank you though goes a long way. We put a lot of time, effort, love and sometimes tears into educating the children in our care, and supporting our parents if they need it. In Early Years we help them grow and develop and give them the opportunities to become their own little person, so yes, just a thank you would be great on the last day please 😊

200 JL voucher- blooming heck. Where do you teach? Nowhere near me that's for sure

Seriously, why give anything at all?

I find it very mean spirited for a non teacher to tell you not to give teachers gifts as they don’t want it. It’s not your place

At our school we do class collections and the teachers generally get a £200 John Lewis voucher, flowers, chocolates and a book made up of pictures and messages from the kids. I think they generally like it.

Absolutely this.
Office staff do so much for so little recognition from parents.

but what do you do with the other 29 teacher mugs a year 😂

lemonmeringueno3

I bet your child's teacher has spent more than £3-4 on each child in their class this year so surely you don't begrudge a box of biscuits or something.

I'd prefer to be given an invoice for the £3-4 and give it back. I'd even add 10-20% and pay in advance.
Anybody I feel has gone above and beyond I'd tip in accordance. As I would anyone.

Hello! Work in a school. We love the gifts!

I appreciate any gift. My students don't have to get me anything, but I would be very grateful to receive flowers, chocolates, wine etc. Even just a card is nice. I have a teacher mug that I use all the time. So please stop generalising all teachers!

Are you sure not a teacher? You seem angry about this moreso then "for a friend"

I'm a teacher and I think you are being unreasonable to say teachers dont want the gifts. A gift is never expected at all but I love all the gifts and cards. Yes some of them are things I wouldn't go out and spend the money on but the kids get so excited to give you a gift and that's the best bit.

I've had wine, chocolate, flowers, candles, smellies, nice coffee, potted plants, best teacher mugs, money boxes etc. As a younger teacher I lived with another tescher who didn't drink but loved chocolate, I'd give her chocolate and she'd give me the alcohol but it never annoyed her to get given the alcohol. Now that I am a parent I let my son pick something small out (sometimes it's best teacher tat but he truly believes that she is the best teacher ever, he's 5, let him at it.) I then buy some good quality prosecco or chocolate, I consider this the gift from me and my husband. My thoughts are if she doesn't drink or eat the chocolate its nice stuff she wouldn't be embarrassed to regift and it saves her some money buying someone a gift.

My most recent class were so kind and many parents sent in gifts and cards when I went off on maternity, it was so unexpected and so kind. One child even got her Granny to crochet a blanket. In my old school I went off on maternity with my eldest and (some of) the parents complained about the disruption.

Not a teacher but work in a school and some of the lovely gifts I get really make me smile and it's very much appreciated, even if it's a "thank you" mug 😳. Absolutely agree the handmade cards and gifts hold a special place - I have several keyrings made by students on my car keys. Special notes and drawings go in a memory box. Literally anything is appreciated as it shows to me appreciation and kindness.

So you are not a teacher and you speak for 1 teacher friend!!!
I will continue to buy the chocolate an wine if the teacher doesn't want them then am sure she knows some1 who will!

The best notes are the ones emailed via the headteacher. If you've got something nice to say, at least let my boss know. Modesty forbids me from sharing a private card or letter.

Absolutely. I really enjoy a glass of penguin sands Sauvignon blanc, decent wine, and I can afford it.

I’ve been a teacher for a very long time and, while I’m grateful for anything anyone decides to give me, the gifts that mean the most are cards and letters. I keep a scrapbook of every thank you card, picture and note I’ve ever received.

I know people think that teachers are just saying that, but honestly a little note of thanks makes our day!

Oh now I've read more of the thread I can see that some people are angry about it.

But who else, outside your family, spends money on your child? I bet your child's teacher has spent more than £3-4 on each child in their class this year so surely you don't begrudge a box of biscuits or something.

Differentstarts

I just find it really embarrassing. Mums carrying massive bouquets of flowers across the playground and making a show of the whole thing.

OMG, yes!
And that sash and the tiara that keeps slipping over your eyes...

Hang on.
I'm getting Miss World mixed up with real life again, aren't I?
Don't worry, I'll just shove the obligatory card ("Mum! Everybody else is giving one! I've got to!") and book token (can't hurt) across and push off.

One year everyone in my class clubbed together and I got a voucher. I cried, at the planning that had gone into it. I felt appreciated and noticed. Teaching is a bit thankless most of the time - colleagues and children rarely say well done and parents usually only want a word if there's something wrong. The parent who organised it said everyone gave what they wanted - some £1 and some £20 - but everyone's name went on the card, even the ones who didn't contribute at all, so all the children could feel a part of it. It was lovely.

Speak for yourself OP!
I'd love any of it and am grateful to any students who buy owt for me.

Speak for yourself. I love a gift. I don't care how small or inexpensive it is, it's truly the thought that counts. I spend money on the kids all year - Xmas gifts, food for parties, popcorn for movies, prizes to encourage things like reading, stickers to put on their work, hot chocolate on cold mornings, toast for the kids who are hungry on arrival, toys for wet playtimes, loads of things. And I love it when a kid gives me a little gift at the end of the year. I take them all home and love opening them. I live alone and I love this on the last day. I eat and drink everything, enjoy the mugs, use the keyrings. I know I'm supposed to say that you shouldn't bother but I'm anonymous on here so am telling the truth - I love them.

Yes that sounds ridiculous but I don't see the problem with a child handing their teacher a box of chocolates and a card. I certainly would not start moaning about it, just seems ungrateful.

Cards with their names and a message are best because you can keep them.
I once received a sampler from a girl. Round the borders she had stitched books and pens and in the centre a message about a teacher's influence and underneath that her name. That was the.best ever. And it's.still hanging on my study wall.

I just find it really embarrassing. Mums carrying massive bouquets of flowers across the playground and making a show of the whole thing.