What to buy for teachers

[Hellocatshome]

We have never really done end of year presents for teachers, when the kids were younger they liked to make a card and that was about it. Not because I dont appreciate their teachers but because I know a lot of teachers and they are inundated with gifts and say they would rather people saved their money.

Anyway DS2 who is my last DC is leaving primary school this year, all my kids have been to the same primary school and had the same teachers and it seems a bit like an end of an era. Obviously not to the teachers but to me it does. I want to get a gift not specifically for his year 6 teacher but all the teachers and support staff.

Ideas so far are a huge box of biscuits for the staff room but is that a bit boring? A pod coffee machine and a selection of pods again for the staff room but will that just make work for them having to clean it etc? Any ideas?

Teaspoons!

Stationary. Honestly, a glue stick and a heartfelt card and I will never forget you!

I wouldn't do a pod coffee machine despite it being a lovely idea because the teachers would need to buy their own pods once their gift ones run out. High chance they wouldn't want to and the machine goes to waste.

I would probably go with sending in a selection of cakes etc for the staff room and writing a nice email to the head that he/she can share with staff.

But no, no coffee pod thingy.
A) no one has time to drink coffee
B) no one will buy replacement pods anyway

Big box filled with stationary items?
Pens
Pencils
Rulers
Gluesticks
Whiteboard pens
Markers

They could leave it in the staff room so people can help themselves when they run out?

Gin

Yeah I thought the coffee pod machine might actually not be that practical. He is actually leaving two weeks before the end of term as his Secondary school is running a 2 week induction period so I could maybe send cupcakes/doughnuts and they would have time to eat them before they left for summer hols?

Ah stationary, I love stationary!

Some nice mugs for the staff room? I would appreciate this a lot

StationEry

Sorry, I'm a teacher

Cakes and nice biscuits always go down well. Wine is welcome! I appreciate all gifts but never expect them. You are kind to think of the staff OP.

It's stationEry (me too)

We bought a biscuit barrel (and some nice biscuits) when my daughter left primary school 7 years ago and it's still being used in the staffroom now, might that work?

Another vote for stationery and teaspoons! Why are there never any teaspoons in the staffroom?

Gin, wine, cakes and biscuits are also a good choice!

Haha I knew I didn't know which stationery was which so I copied from previous posters, thats a lesson learnt sorry teachers Biscuit barrel is a good shout.

A box of Krispy Kremes is always very well received in our staff room 😁

A card to the whole staff with specific examples to make everyone feel good and an alcohol selection would be the holy grail. 😂

StationEry includes Envelopes
StationARy describes pARked cARs
(Learned this at school!)

I think stationery, cakes or biscuits are all good ideas, along with a heartfelt card or email that can be passed on.

If you can stretch to a coffee machine, could you instead buy a microwave for the staff room? Ours are disgusting and so in demand that you can never get your food in them on time. A new one would go down well 🤷🏽‍♀️

What about a selection of really lovely pens from somewhere like Paperchase for staff to choose from? I know I would love that (primary teacher here). We have bought a box of books for the school library before.

@GeorgeandHarold66

If you can stretch to a coffee machine, could you instead buy a microwave for the staff room? Ours are disgusting and so in demand that you can never get your food in them on time. A new one would go down well 🤷🏽‍♀️

Ohh this is a good shout! Just check with the office first as our h&s woman is a pain... 😂

Could you ask the school if there is anything they particularly need for the children?

Our school is currently renovating the library, so something like new books or a voucher to spend on supplies would be very well received!

As an aside, a good way to remember is...

The StationERy cupboard has papER in it.
The cAR on the road is stationARy.

I second the microwave idea... or an extra kettle as that’s always in high demand at ours too!
I personally would LOVE a coffee machine at school and would definitely restock the pods, but I can see why others have said that it might not be practical for everyone.

Very kind and generous of you to put so much thought and effort into it. I’m sure the teachers will really appreciate whatever you decide on.

You could ask at the office if there is anywhere that staff get lunch from sometimes. All the schools I've worked at have an occasional bacon butty order on a Friday. Pay in advance for everyone to have something at the end of term :-) Or in September when they need a boost! Otherwise a nice hamper of tea, coffee, biscuits, cup a soup etc.

My y11s left today so a little bit older. I have a table full of candles, chocolate, flowers, stationery and wine. Whilst it is all lovely and I am very thankful, the cards mean more than anything. The cards from students telling me how I’ve helped them and what a difference I have made to them brings a tear to my eye. Also a few parents had emailed the head teacher with kind words about me and that was lovely.

A thank you card.
When I was teaching we never expected presents.