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MNHQ

Roll up, roll up to find out what MNers told us about buying end-of-year presents for teachers

35 replies

RowanMumsnet · 05/07/2017 10:52

Hello

Some of you may remember filling out a survey for us on teachers' presents a while back - and we're announcing the results today.

Over 1000 of you took the survey, and you told us...

...you spend an average of £10.60 on end-of-year presents for primary school teachers, with one in ten forking out £25 or more.
....8% of you don’t buy teachers presents, because you don’t think it’s necessary; 4% of you believe their salary is reward enough.
...The most popular end-of-year gifts are chocolates (bought by 23%), vouchers (17%), alcohol (16%), homemade gifts made by the child (13%) and flowers (9%).

65% of you say you give presents because you like to show appreciation, and nearly eight out of ten (79%) say your child enjoys giving their teacher a gift. But when it comes to guessing what drives other parents to buy, a cynical 45% of you believe that some enjoy the one-up(wo)manship of buying the best present.

8% of you buy presents simply because you don’t want to look mean, and one in eight (12%) have felt pressured to contribute more than you've budgeted to a class collection. 39% of you club together for a class collection while 44% prefer to go it alone.

If you're gearing up for the end-of-year booze-n-chocs gifting bonanza, you can see some suggestions here - and you can see coverage of our survey here, here and here.

Let us know what you think - and feel free to tell us tear-jerking tales about farewell presents to amazing teachers. (If you're a teacher, feel free to tell us tear-jerking tales about the best/worst gifts you've been given.)

Go forth and gift! (Or don't, it's totally up to you.)

MNHQ x

OP posts:
IToldYouIWasFreaky · 05/07/2017 14:48

At Christmas, DS made his teacher and TAs origami bookmarks (the kind that go on the corner of a page) in nice Christmas paper. He wrote a nice message on each one, so it was kind of like a card and gift in one.
IMHO, that was the perfect teacher gift - cheap, practical, personal and minimal hassle!
I've peaked now though...no idea what to do for end of term gifts...Confused

TheSecretMrsFairbrother · 05/07/2017 14:16

I've bought some nice stationery for my DC's teachers, including white board markers, those things are like gold dust!

At Christmas we paid for warm clothing for children in refugee camps on behalf of the school, actually made one of the teachers cry (in a good way I hope!).

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 05/07/2017 13:46

@milliemolliemou

Did any teachers fill in the survey? I think anything which can be stored (wine, pots of flowers, chutneys and jams, soaps etc) are great but did anyone suggest clubbing together (with no specified amount so all can afford) for a voucher from the whole class? Even if it's £1 a primary class adds up .....

We didn't specifically ask teachers what they like to receive - that might be an idea for next time though

OP posts:
MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 05/07/2017 13:45

[quote BoreOfWhabylon]This thread describes what is, without a doubt, the best end of year present ever Grin

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2971029-to-have-bought-dss-teacher-a-giant-kestrel?dod=1[/quote]

Thanks Bore, we'll make sure that gets a mention in any media interviews...

OP posts:
MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 05/07/2017 13:42

@Foxyloxy1plus1

The best gift I ever had was not a tangible gift, but a conversation with a boy who told me that he would never forget me and what I had done for him.

Aww Foxy I think I've got something in my eye

OP posts:
Purplepicnic · 05/07/2017 13:08

I never buy the teacher a present because I grew up with a teacher in the family and she didn't like the massive onslaught of smellies and chocolates. She had more than she could ever eat or use. So it was seen as a negative in my family.

But I get my kids to write a card or letter and have written one myself in the past to an exceptional teacher.

BoreOfWhabylon · 05/07/2017 12:33

This thread describes what is, without a doubt, the best end of year present ever Grin

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2971029-to-have-bought-dss-teacher-a-giant-kestrel?dod=1

milliemolliemou · 05/07/2017 12:32

Did any teachers fill in the survey? I think anything which can be stored (wine, pots of flowers, chutneys and jams, soaps etc) are great but did anyone suggest clubbing together (with no specified amount so all can afford) for a voucher from the whole class? Even if it's £1 a primary class adds up .....

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 05/07/2017 12:28

The best gift I ever had was not a tangible gift, but a conversation with a boy who told me that he would never forget me and what I had done for him.

Worth any amount of cake or flowers and I have never forgotten it.

Of course, it's lovely to be given a gift and whatever it is, it's received gratefully because of the thought, but a message, card or letter is such a boost. I wouldn't want any parent to feel obliged to give a gift, but a word of thanks is always welcome.

pinkunicornsarefluffy · 05/07/2017 12:21

I have given one teacher some lovely Willow Tree figures because she was fantastic and DD had her for two years. This year's teacher won't be getting anything as DD doesn't like her and she has been quite mean to DD. We don't give presents for the sake of it.