It's that stressful time of the year again..do you or don't you?!

[BooseysMom]

Xmas presents for school teachers, etc. DS is in Reception and i have bought small choc presents for his teacher and TA but also got the lunch time supervisors a box of chocs as they have a difficult job and are under appreciated. But then what about all the other staff..the care taker and secretary for e.g..where do you draw the line esp when on a budget?
So what do you do? Do you buy or not buy and for whom?
Thanks ..and happy Xmas all

I bought a gift for DD’s teacher and 2 TA’s. (DD is in reception). Surely that’s plenty?

DD and I made cookies this weekend and spend a few quid on Christmas bags.

She has about 30 to give away for less than the cost of a tin of Heroes.

Job jobbed.

Oh... and they’re dry as saw dust but I’m hoping the recipients will appreciate the homely quality 🤣🤣🤣

Don't buy presents! If you feel desperate to give something, a card with some kind words from you will be quite sufficient - and probably preferable.

Mine are both at nursery rather than school, but I bought each of them a box of nice biscuits to share amongst the staff that work in their room.

I only buy for the teacher and the TA now but in the past when I was PTA Chair I used to buy sweets for the staff room and office to say thank you for helping out with events.

sawdust

I normally send a box of chocolates in for the kitchen staff.

This year I haven’t sent anything for kitchen staff as ds no longer goes near the hall. But I have got a little something for the office staff because they go above and beyond to
Help him

One of the benefits of dc starting high school is there seems to be no expectation of buying presents for teachers -yay!!

Lemon drizzle cake never fails in the staff room😁

@123rd...funny you should say as my friend said exactly the same today. Only another 6 years of present buying then!!

@AaahhwoooooOOOOooOOOOo1...sawdust biscuits?!..I like your style!! But yeah homely they be!! You put in more effort and that would be appreciated..saw dust and all

What's "difficult" about being a lunchtime supervisor?

Omg I've just realised there are two more TA's in his class I haven't bought anything for...aagghh!! Where will it end?!

@AthenaisdeRochechouart...ah good question. Well my friend is one and she says it's horrendous and I sort of feel they aren't appreciated plus DS likes them all and says they're nice to him.

You need to draw your own line.
I’ve just checked the website and there are 44 members of staff at DD’s school. No way I’m buying something for everyone. Just her teacher and her 2 regular TA’s. She’s written cards for some of the others (her favourites!)

I send in something for the staff room in the week they have the Christmas concerts and again sports day or there abouts. The summer one is a bigger hamper with tea, coffee, squash and biscuits etc

Sometimes a bunch of daffs at Easter too.

The last couple of years I have given general gifts of biscuits, coffee etc into the office for all the staff, done a card for all the staff and then cards for the class teacher and TA. I just couldn’t keep up otherwise and there were too many teachers to buy individual gifts for that I suspected they didn’t want anyway. Cards are always appreciated I think.

Being a lunchtime supervisor is a difficult job. You need eyes in the back of your head.

I do get something for the teacher & TAs, no one else. What I get depends on how much I rate them. DD1 teacher this year is not great, so I've just got chocs. Her teacher last year was amazing, so I got a funny game and a voucher.

I hope to god above that by the time my DD goes to school the practice will have ended.

That’s not a bitch slap to you OP, I just think it’s really OTT and yes a nice gesture but it’s one of these things that’s become a THING.

Just another thing to add to the long list of “little things” at Christmas.

I buy for the two class teachers, ta, head, and 2 office ladies. I’d like to buy for everyone, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Thanks for all the great comments. Always an interesting seasonal topic.

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut...no offence taken..I totally love your name btw .. hilarious! Yes present buying for teachers has become "Americanized" like everything else nowadays. And I've fallen into the trap.

I just buy for teachers, we’re in Scotland so no TAs.

I also buy something for their music teachers and sports coaches.

If your friend thinks being a lunchtime supervisor is "horrendous" then she is in the wrong job.

I never bought for any members of staff at DD's primary - Xmas doesn't have to be about out of control random present giving.

I fell into it for the first couple of years, then decided one year to stop. I'm not sure why I got swept up in Xmas and year end presents! I'm sure I'm not the only one who dosnt. And there are plenty that do! Each to their own.