Teacher gifts

[Princesspickle777]

Teachers, if you were to receive an end of year gift, what kind of things would you prefer?. I’m wanting to get my DC’s teacher a gift for the hard work she has done for them but I don’t just want to get any old tat I’ve seen advertised. What has been your favourite gift?.

My DDs school has politely requested no gifts for teachers due to covid. I think teachers probs get too much chocolate, maybe a candle/diffuser with card x

Wine.
Failing that a lovely gift I got from one of my children once was a personalised stamp. Didn’t think much use of it at the time but I swear I’ve used that so much.
Gift vouchers are also great.
But above all - above everything - a home made hand written card. They’re the ones I keep

@worriesome thanks for commenting but that’s not what I was asking. The teachers are allowed to accept gifts and I would like to gift her one hence the question. I wouldn’t have made this thread if they weren’t.

I got some lovely flowers today, which were much appreciated. I also like wine

@KTD27 oh a stamp is an unusual one, I might have a look into that. Yes a card was on my list, we’re going to make some anyway.

@Princesspickle777 I gave you a suggestion

I've got wine bottles and I ordered funny labels from LoveLayla (only 99p) that says "I'm sorry my child is the reason you drink" along with a little key ring saying "thank you for helping me grow" with a sunflower on

Wine. Also cards written from the kids.

My best teacher present was a voucher for a shop which specialised in my hobby - all the parents contributed and it was just such a generous and thoughtful gift, meant I could treat myself to something really special of my own choosing. Wine is always a winner as well.

Wine, candles, mini manicure voucher, flowers, a personalised tote, note cards and cards (I often send these home as praise cards during a school year) are all things I like getting. Tbh where I work the parents usually club together and get a voucher, which I like best as I can spend it on what I want. But that's a bit frowned on on MN, I think.

Absolutely no Best Teacher tat, those FB crafts made out of crayons/stones/buttons or photos of the kids. I do treasure a card/drawing from them though.

I think whatever it is, for it to be meaningful it has to be personalised in some way. So for flowers, if you knew their favourite colour that would be an easy direction to go in. Or a favourite animal (ime kids love asking teachers that) could be incorporated. Or something related to a hobby of theirs.

I love getting a nice card written from the child with a meaningful message (have just read a few really lovely heart-felt messages from my GCSE kids that caused a few tears in the eyes!)

If a present is a must then I would be happy with a nice bottle of wine/prosecco or a big box of chocs for the staff/work room goes down well. Once I got given some amazing homemade jam and lemon curd - I loved that!

I have had so many candles, mugs and toiletries over the years, they all end up regifted or given to charity. Although I did get a great travel mug that I now use most days.

Is £5 coffee voucher for each TA/teacher ok? There are 7 in my DCs class- want to get something for each that won’t be wasted- but can’t go higher with so many of them!

Some good suggestions to think about. I definitely want to avoid all the best teacher stuff. It’s hard because DC isn’t capable of asking the teacher any questions and because of Covid we don’t really know the teacher well. It’s all a bit impersonal when we’ve only ever had phone calls.

Home made card and a £5 Costa voucher has been my favourite. I don’t drink and candles set off my migraines. Although they are appreciated as other staff take them off my hands.

I’m a TA and if I get any gifts then wine or choc works for me. Also cards from the kids are always lovely. Or a nice pen. Can’t go wrong with stationery but that may just be me. Not expecting much though as TAs don’t seem to get gifts the same as teachers where I work. That’s ok though, I’m getting hugs now from some of them, so that’ll do me

@Elpheba that’s a very good idea so I’m sure that would be fine. I’ve no idea who it how many TA’s they’re are as we just send them off through the gate and that’s it. They have a list of staff but not what class they’re allocated to.

Costa voucher.

Don't buy wine. I don't drink, and I really don't like wine. I don't understand why people assume everyone likes wine.

@RabbitBeaver that’s good to know, I hadn’t though of a coffee card until reading above. We as a family don’t drink so I wouldn’t naturally buy alcohol and I’m always wary of buying it for others if I don’t know them well.

I think a voucher for a coffee shop is a lovely idea but equally I used to love wine and chocolates too! The things I have kept (over 15 years later!) are the letters and cards with a personal message thanking me for something specific. After this year I think most teachers could do with a morale boost

No mugs. I have many many mugs now. Get a new batch each year. Got 6 this year I don't like getting chocolate as I don't eat it but DH and DC like it. I like getting stationery, especially stuff I'll use at work like whiteboard pens or glue sticks which are basically gold dust. I once got a big personalised tote which I love. Also personalised notebook. Wine always good. Books for my class library. Homemade card with message from parent/child excellent, my favourite thing. No framed photo of your child, had that twice, wtf am I meant to do with that?!

DC's teacher is getting wine, coffee voucher and some nice pens.

Please don’t buy wine or alcohol…it’s often a tough one for lots of people for different reasons. Candles, diffusers, mugs please also avoid. I love it when I get a box of chocolates I can put on the staff room table to share or a £5 coffee shop voucher for near school if they have a nice independent one or a chain one if that’s easiest. Nice. Note to say thanks is the best though…

My DD insisted on getting her teacher a pair of slippers. It's her gift to her teacher so who am I to say no

When does your school finish up, OP? In non-Covid times I often recommend to send in a big box of doughnuts/pastries/cake a week or so before the end of term. That might not be possible at the moment though due to Covid measures.

I feckin hate being given boxes of chocolate and mugs too. I'm grateful for a gift of course but the mugs will go to the staffroom cupboard and the chocolate will go to the neighbours.