Christmas presents for teachers?

DD gives a present to form tutor. In the past we have also done presents for teachers that have gone way beyond the call of duty - mainly on the pastoral side of things rather than the teaching.

My DS (yr 8) will be giving token gifts to a few teachers who have really gone the extra mile for him this term, and his tutors.

Haha my school has the £50 rule too.

Champagne is a very acceptable Christmas gift in France. I often get champagne for music teachers, tutors etc.

£1000 Harrods gift... crikey.
I can't remember ever taking gifts in to school at all!

For a tutor or special teacher at any level, book vouchers are nice. Chocolate is better than alcohol, but I'm an American. Drinking is less acceptable here.

If i get cards it is unusual these days. I once received a hand made table centre piece. Loved it.

DD (Year 8 at à French school) has bought a Christmas scented candle in a pretty pot for a favourite teacher. DP and I will get a present for the head of middle school, to whom we are both grateful and close. And he's terrific!

We are in the same boat this year (Ds yr 7). I don't even know the names of most of his teachers yet, thinking about it I don't think he does either! Ds rarely wants to buy gifts for teachers unless they have made a massive impact on him and then he tends to make them something rather than spend money so we will wait and see. Will be watching this thread.

Only ever to teachers, the child might want to give a gift to. Then really only class teacher and favourite sports coach at the end of the year, and to some of her favourite teachers when she left the school after GCSEs. Usually bottles of wine, or nice chocs, and very much a gift from the child.

There can be some ostentatious gift giving at London private schools, which can be a bit uncomfortable. (We knew one teacher who was given a present from Harrods complete with gift receipt. When he took it back he discovered he had a credit for £1,000.) Good schools will have a policy.

I'm quite surprised parents do it at secondary level
If it's from the kids.. or a form group clubbing together ..then that's different.

While I appreciate parents wanting to recognise teachers' work (or to keep up with the Jones), I find the inheritant bribing aspect appalling. Therefore no Christmas presents from us to my childrens' teachers.

Noblegiraffe

DD has bought special presents for a very few teachers over the years - usually just some chocs or a bottle of wine or something. For teachers who have really gone the extra mile with her.

I know I had a gasp at the £50 too when I saw it. I wondered what people had been giving to the teachers as gifts to require such a policy and why

£50?! Bloomin' heck!!!

I've had the odd small box of chocs, and a small bunch of flowers. Once had a full size bottle of good wine (£20 maybe?) but that was from a very special student 's mother who I'd done a lot for, and with.

I once had a form for five years that due to odd ratios in that particular year group was 17/21 male. When they left to go on study leave each of them lined up and shook my hand and said thank you, some of them said thank you for particular things that had happened. I treasure that memory. I took 16 children and escorted them to being young men. the four girls bought me teddy bears, chocolates and cards, lovely and kind but didn't touch me the same way

Arf at £50!

I've had the odd box of Maltesers here and there. All much appreciated!

£50????! parents have to be told not to spend more than £50?? Which school is this?

My son will have the same form tutor through years 9-11 so I have tended to buy an end of year gift. Found out that dark rum was his tipple. That's what we got him!

In this week's newsletter it was stated:
As Christmas approaches we would like to remind parents that there is no expectation to give staff thank you gifts. However, if parents and / or children do wish to give a gift, then it should be of a modest nature. Governors have agreed a Gifts and Hospitality Policy which does not allow staff to accept gifts from any one family in any one year in excess of £50. Parents may join together to contribute to a group gift which has a collective value of greater than £50 provided no individual contribution is more than the £50 threshold.

Meant to say DS1's gift was at the end of the summer after GCSEs, not Christmas.

Sadly not

I have had the same form for 4 years now and I think I have had one box of chocs and a couple of cards.

It's fine tho, I don't expect anything!

FWIW DS1 and I bought something nice for a subect teacher who had especially helped him and motivated him in yr 11 - not his form tutor as it goes.

noblegiraffe

Would agree with Rosie. My tutor group (Y13) have generally clubbed together and got me a very nice and much appreciated gift when they've left. By that point I've always had them a year, sometimes two - and we've spent roughly 20 mins every morning together and built up a relationship. A lot of them I've also taught at some point in the school, sometimes for years. Sometimes up to A level. Rarely been given a Christmas present - and certainly don't expect it.

Chocolate would go down well...she mused wistfully. Or alcohol. But then I'm just facing hideous amounts of 'Mock' marking this week...

I tend to get a few Christmas presents from my tutees and some parents send in large boxes of celebrations etc to share in the staff room. My own kids always give a present to whoever has coached the rugby team, their tutor of they like them and occasionally another random teacher who has been very helpful.
At secondary i would say summer presents are more common, but usually just from the leaving y11 and y13 students.

Bottle of wine for form tutor is nice. Subject teachers- cards.

Oh shit yeah what giraffe said.