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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel sorry for all the teachers who are about to be inundated with shite gifts

317 replies

Butterflyfluff · 07/07/2024 18:50

My Facebook feed is full of utterly shit teacher gifts - mugs, glasses, baubles, sweet jars all with ‘Greatest Teacher’ on them.

Surely the vast majority of these end up in the bin - no one needs up to 30 odd of these every year?

What’s wrong with clubbing together for vouchers that would actually get used?

OP posts:
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TheUnknownsMum · 07/07/2024 19:36

Hmm yes heaps of presents right before six weeks off…torture

pleasehelpwi3 · 07/07/2024 19:36

Riversideandrelax · 07/07/2024 19:32

We did hampers for some of DD's Primary teachers with loads of stationery.

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So you replaced the funding that the Tories hollowed out of schools by buying stuff that schools can't afford? That's kind, but not a present for the teacher.
I hope that idea doesn't catch on in my school! I like a present at the end of the year!

Yesimtheproblemitsme · 07/07/2024 19:36

When I was still teaching, a group of secondary students once bought me a Really Useful Box filled with gel pens, highlighters, postits, stickers etc.

By far my most favourite gift ever. I still have the box - they decorated it and regularly restock it with my favourite pens. They were an absolutely cracking group.

oakleaffy · 07/07/2024 19:35

The the person who mentioned vouchers needed to be declared for tax purposes..I googled:

Load of bollox.

FloofyBird · 07/07/2024 19:35

They can always share them with the other members of staff that get nothing. They don't though so can't feel that annoyed!

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 07/07/2024 19:35

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 19:31

You are not a very knowledgeable tax professional then, are you

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Yeah …. Maybe want to read up on bribery and corruption legislation!

RobinsonsOrange · 07/07/2024 19:34

@oakleaffy and how are they going to do that? They DON'T NEED TO

RainbowColouredRainbows · 07/07/2024 19:34

If I receive gifts (less of a thing being secondary) I honestly don't view them as 'tat'. I'd be genuinely thankful of the thought. That being said, I think a lot of parents overthink gifts for teachers when a card or even an email to my headteacher, would honestly make me so pleased.

LemonPeonies · 07/07/2024 19:34

I'm hospital staff and our ward get a lot of chocolates/ biscuits/cards etc. We're grateful, it's nice to be appreciated and receive anything!

pleasehelpwi3 · 07/07/2024 19:33

This again.
My honest answer- Y6- teacher

  1. Yes I love presents, who doesn't.
  2. Do I want any parent to feel obliged or bullied by a pushy parent into getting me a present- no, if you don't like me and/or can't afford it, don't feel the pressure!
  3. I might be a bad person but of course I prefer vouchers to a homemade present listing my attributes as a teacher as I don't have the space for it, and ten years in teaching has killed off my enthusiasm a little.
  4. I feel really awkward when my TA who wears a headscarf is given wine and I will swop it with her for chocolate.
  5. I have never declared tax on any voucher and it had never even crossed my mind!
  6. Even if 3) is true, it's always rewarding to know that a child has really enjoyed the year or anything special I've done to help them.
  7. If this sounds grabby, it's not meant to at all. You can love presents and feel strongly that people shouldn't feel pressured into getting them.
  8. Mugs are fine but get left in the staff room to replace the most worn out 'best teacher mugs' which generally last 3-5 years in my staffroom.
Tulipsareredvioletsarebue · 07/07/2024 19:33

Spare a thought for secondary school teachers who get f* all 😂

oakleaffy · 07/07/2024 19:33

Mummyofthewildones · 07/07/2024 18:54

We have clubbed together in DDs class so the teachers will be getting a lovely voucher for a decent amount each. A few of us were chatting and thought it would be nice, all bar 2 parents contributed.

I REALLY hope the teachers declare their vouchers for TAX purposes.

😂

Riversideandrelax · 07/07/2024 19:32

KingscoteStaff · 07/07/2024 19:07

I am hoping for Pritt Sticks and Whiteboard pens! And tissues!

We did hampers for some of DD's Primary teachers with loads of stationery.

mumedu · 07/07/2024 19:31

TheSerenePinkOrca · 07/07/2024 18:59

I got the loveliest gift this week from one of my Y13s.

A card telling me how he loved my lessons so much he decided to do the full A Level in my subject instead of AS Level.

And another card from a GCSE student saying she had really enjoyed my lessons over the last two years and has decided to take my subject for A Level.

A card with a meaningful note is by far the nicest thing you can receive.

After that a bottle of wine is always good! 😆

This is lovely!

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 19:31

RobinsonsOrange · 07/07/2024 19:29

Tax professional here. This is absolute shite.

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You are not a very knowledgeable tax professional then, are you

RobinsonsOrange · 07/07/2024 19:29

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 18:51

well, vouchers need to be declared for tax purposes, and the paperwork is long and complicated, so please avoid this.

Tax professional here. This is absolute shite.

TorturedPoetsDepartmentAnthology · 07/07/2024 19:27

Twinsandsome · 07/07/2024 19:23

My girls school issue notices in the weekly new letter a couple months before Christmas and end of year that if anyone is wanting to provide a gift that the staff have all agreed they would like things suitable for the food bank. It’s great because the food bank gets a wee boost of treaty things like multi pack crisps/haribo etc which yes aren’t the needed items but gives the staff joy knowing that will brighten some families week and there may even be children in the school accessing those treats too.

This is a lovely idea.

MrsStottlemeyer · 07/07/2024 19:26

What’s wrong with clubbing together for vouchers that would actually get used?

I never join collections for end of term. IMO the gift is from the child to the teacher, not me giving the teacher money.
My DC generally find out something the teacher likes or needs and gets that with their pocket money along with a card.

cantkeepawayforever · 07/07/2024 19:24

Twinsandsome · 07/07/2024 19:23

My girls school issue notices in the weekly new letter a couple months before Christmas and end of year that if anyone is wanting to provide a gift that the staff have all agreed they would like things suitable for the food bank. It’s great because the food bank gets a wee boost of treaty things like multi pack crisps/haribo etc which yes aren’t the needed items but gives the staff joy knowing that will brighten some families week and there may even be children in the school accessing those treats too.

That’s a really good idea. I wish all schools could do that.

Badgerandfox227 · 07/07/2024 19:24

We do an optional class voucher - currently at about £200. I’ll ask what they want - M&S voucher, gardening vouchers etc and we’ll get those and a card and some flowers

Greentapemeasure · 07/07/2024 19:23

The other parents in my Dds class do a group gift but we always get a card and a tin of chocolates to take in about a week before the end, my DD likes to write a card and choose the gift herself, it seems a bit impersonal for one parent to get a card and the kids have no input, and I guess that a tin of biscuits/chocolates can be handed around the staff room if the teacher doesn’t like them.

justasmalltownmum · 07/07/2024 19:23

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 18:51

well, vouchers need to be declared for tax purposes, and the paperwork is long and complicated, so please avoid this.

No teacher is declaring gift vouchers.

Twinsandsome · 07/07/2024 19:23

My girls school issue notices in the weekly new letter a couple months before Christmas and end of year that if anyone is wanting to provide a gift that the staff have all agreed they would like things suitable for the food bank. It’s great because the food bank gets a wee boost of treaty things like multi pack crisps/haribo etc which yes aren’t the needed items but gives the staff joy knowing that will brighten some families week and there may even be children in the school accessing those treats too.

Combattingthemoaners · 07/07/2024 19:23

I’m a teacher. Yes we may end up with lots of mugs but I am genuinely grateful for anyone who has gone out of their way to think about me and thank me for just doing my job. It isn’t about the actual gift.

Fupalover · 07/07/2024 19:22

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 07/07/2024 19:20

To keep dust off and it's biodegradable.

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And it's tacky as fook!