Is JUST a homemade card really okay?

I’m a teacher, I don’t expect gifts and it’s probably around 50/50 as to who does and doesn’t give them in my school.

I do appreciate anything handmade by the kids and I always keep anything like that, I’ve still got cards/ drawings from my very first class and whilst I appreciate any gift at the time I haven’t kept the mugs etc from years ago.

Honestly if I were a teacher I wouldn’t want any of it- including the hand made card.

we do a class collection and give Amazon vouchers. I’d like that.

@nbvxsefc I’m a teacher and a parent did the cans of cold drinks in the staff room at my school one year and it was sooo appreciated!! We do also really appreciate when the class contribute towards a gift voucher.

My child is in reception so new to all this, it’s super hot atm so was thinking I might get some nice cans of cold drinks for the staff in their staff room as well as a card from DD?

Not sure if teachers appreciate that though! Box of chocolates seems like it would be liquid by lunchtime right now!

Yes my mum is similar. She’s kept all cards and letters, and was always teary getting them.

Teachers definitely don't expect gifts. I think a home made card is lovely. When she gets everything home she won't remember who gave what in terms of chocolates/flowers but she'll remember your child from their card.

My friend is a teacher. She likes getting bottles of wine (although some end up in the bottle tombola as they’re awful). She really hates getting mugs! She’d not be bothered with just a card at all. I think it’s better if the parents club together and give a gift card.

My husband is a teacher and we have several teachers in the family. All agree a thoughtful message in a card is appreciated more than any gift.

I’m not a teacher anymore but I kept really special cards, notes and drawings. I still hang up handmade Christmas decorations on my tree every year. I even still have a handmade candle holder from a child.

Of course it’s very lovely to receive gifts as a teacher but I always loved a simple thank you or knowing you made a difference for that child. I taught very young children who were just learning to read and write so getting a little handwritten message from them was always really special. I would never expect anything except a thank you to be honest.

One of my most treasured cards is one a group of parents and my TAs made me with all different photos over the two years I had that class for. I adored those children and I have so many happy memories of them. They’re doing their a-levels now!

In some schools / nurseries the present giving does seem to have got out of hand. Very much depends on the school though.

As pps have said, it is the messages in cards or letters I have treasured, and kept over the last 4 decades, not any presents.

Agreed. A hand made card is fab.

How many chocolates and flowers does one person need anyway?
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A handmade card + a respectful attitude towards the teacher year round is enough.

My guess is that the teacher will love it. Im not a teacher but I have kept the cards my children made for me at school. They are all in their 30s now but I still have them 🤩

Current teacher here. I keep every card I've ever received. On hard days, when I wonder what on earth I'm doing going back every day, I get the box out and remember the lovely kids and it keeps me going back in.

Definitely, the homemade cards are the best.

Most people do buy teachers a present yes. And some bigger/more expensive/extravagant then they should if you ask me.

But I still don't think it means you have to. A lot of years we'd just give a card. Even if we did give a present it would just a little thing for £5 at the most that my child chose. Don't give in to the pressure

I'm not a teacher but based on what I've read/conversations I've had I think homemade seems to be the most popular choice and cards are most cherished.

We give to a class collection when there is one, make a homemade card and if we have particularly loved the teacher we made them a pressie. This year my little one needle felted a star (used a cookie cutter to get the shape so was super simple) that we threaded some ribbon onto so it can be hung up. It's tiny, and it absolutely looks like it was made by someone who just turned 5 🤣 but I'm hoping that's the point!

I love a homemade card, keep those ones!
Anything that has clearly been the thoughts of a child is treasured, more precious than money or gifts.

I worked as a pastry chef. My gifts at Christmas and at the end of year would always be cakes for DC's teachers/TAs and office staff. I ended up doing the wedding cake of one staff member.

Presents are very common now yes op. And contrary to some of the responses, kids can do both, a hand made card and a gift. Many will, it’s not either or. On saying that, it’s not a competition. And no one should feel the need. My kids school we all contributed and then gave some vouchers, and the kids all made cards.

A blanket ban on presents (cards only) would relieve a lot of pressure for many parents I expect, especially if they have more than one child.

My Mum was a teacher for years mostly in the 90's early 00's and always got presents at the end of year. Chocolates and biscuits were most appreciated, she was a little uncomfortable when they bought her jewellery or accessories. She didn't expect anything but was always grateful and she did like homemade cards.

I’m wondering exactly this! Dd has painted watercolour pics of birds on some nice cards that are actually quite pretty (although clearly done by a 5 year old 😬) and written something in each. It’s so tricky as she has 2 teachers and 4 teaching assistants so even if I just spend £10 each that’s £60 😳.

DDs a teacher and usually gets a £200-250 voucher for Christmas and at the end of the academic year. She's grateful, but it's always the cards with lovely messages in that she treasures. Your card will absolutely be enough

We bought my youngest DC’s reception teacher a boot bag for £5. I helped out on a school trip and she admired mine. She’s still using it 6 years later.

My mums been a teacher for 40 years. Has a whole stacking box of beautiful cards she has treasured over the years. The Xmas tree is full if had made decorations from past children.

she doesn’t remember the flowers/wine( although appreciated) but the hand made stuff is genuinely loved.