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Original poster

Teacher gifts

105 replies

Princesspickle777 · 23/06/2021 18:56

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?.

OP posts:
FrenchFancie · 24/06/2021 19:58

TA here - not mugs! At Christmas I got a personalised notebook which was an amazing gift!

I think a big tub of chocolate / biscuits etc for the staff room about a week / ten days before then end of term is a great idea - it’s been such an odd year and I know everyone I work with is just knackered this year.

I love getting notes / cards things like that.

converseandjeans · 24/06/2021 23:14

Just spoke to DH as he is primary school teacher & he said 'please tell them no mugs or key rings. Get them some booze or a voucher'

spiderlight · 24/06/2021 23:21

When my ds was in primary, I used to set him a mission of trying to find out what his teacher's favourite kids' book was and then get a nice themed personalised bookmark - there are lots of nice ones on Etsy/Folksy type sites. Always seemed to go down well.

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Briarshollow · 26/06/2021 00:00

@Dreamer202

Stationary or chocolate!
Stationery*… Wink
helpmewiththisnew · 26/06/2021 08:08

What sort of stationery ? As in a note pad ? Posh pen?

41sunnydays · 26/06/2021 08:19

Marks and Spencer voucher so they can choose a treat them selves. I'm not a teacher but a relative is and whilst they have never said anything - OMG they get a lot of thoughtful presents but that are really just crap or unwanted, needed. She has hundreds of mugs, get so many chocolates and cheap bottles of wine. She's a wonderful person and never says anything but I decided early on not to subject the teachers to this so give them a £15 voucher

Sleepingdogs12 · 26/06/2021 08:33

It is good to see some teachers on here saying no gifts needed , I find it bizarre when others are saying we like this or don't like that. It is lovely to be appreciated but why have presents for teachers become a thing.

Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting · 26/06/2021 10:26

Because teachers spend more time with your child than you do and work incredibly hard to nurture them, impart learning and care for them.

OldChinaJug · 26/06/2021 10:34

Candles are always nice; nail polish in colours that showed they'd actually seen 'me' and not just their child's teacher; home grown produce from a parent I'd been chatting about it with...

I appreciate wine and chocolate but don't really consume either.

Having said that, the best gifts are always a handwritten card that appreciates what I have done for their child.

I don't expect gifts - it's my job. I do it because I genuinely love the children - I care about the data because its what I'd get raked over the coals for if it weren't 'good enough' but the relationships and getting to know the children and their families is what I love about it.

I had a parent recently tell me that she loved me. Knowing I've made a positive impact on someone's life is the best gift of all.

Enko · 26/06/2021 10:35

Dis Costa coffee vouchers for the last east years i needed to do this.

CaramelFlat · 26/06/2021 10:36

And also because people have asked what makes a good present. Teachers know that some people want to give them things, so if asked what kinds of things they will prefer, they answer. it doesn't mean that they expect or need them. But why not say what you like or don't like if someone asks on an (anonymous) forum?

and it IS lovely to be appreciated. It doesn't mean gifts are expected or needed or that teachers would treat a child any differently whether they gave a gift or not, but at the same time, it's nice to be given gifts and to be told you are appreciated, if people want to express that. And if people want to know what has been particularly enjoyed, in their experience, why not answer?

Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting · 26/06/2021 10:36

The above comment from me is from a parent's point of view not me as a teacher. I've bought my son's teacher a framed print this year as I massively appreciate the many hours he spends every week going above and beyond. I appreciate all gifts from my class but don't expect them.

languagelover96 · 26/06/2021 10:38

Gift cards
Money
Box of chocolates
Stationery items
Candles or lavender oil
Books for the kids to use
A positive word from a mum or dad
A smile on a child's face
Decent level of effort in lessons
A positive mindset
Prayers

OldChinaJug · 26/06/2021 10:40

@RestingStitchFace

Last year I gave the teachers lavender plants with 'thank you for helping me grow' on the labels.
I'd have loved that!

I have two Christmas tree decorations that were given to me by children at Christmas in my first year of teaching many, many (many) years ago. I still put them on my tree every year amd remember them. Something that lasts is a beautiful gift.

Phyllis321 · 26/06/2021 10:45

I'm a teacher of many years and love flowers, wine and smellies as gifts, but not chocolates because I can't resist and just inhale them at the end of term!
I truly don't expect anything at all. A card with a lovely, sincere message is the best.
I've got DS's teacher a Burt's Bees gift pack and a nice card.

Phyllis321 · 26/06/2021 10:45

..and yes, plants are really lovely too.

Justmeandtwokids · 26/06/2021 10:54

My DS has asked to get a big box of chocolate bars and individually wrapped biscuits for his teachers and TAs - he thinks they'll like them and it works for me as there are at least 10 to buy for and it means I can't miss anyone out (SEN unit). I will also do specific thank you cards with him

Badtasteflump · 26/06/2021 10:59

Flowers/plants/wine 🙂

LittleNibbler · 26/06/2021 11:03

@Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting

Because teachers spend more time with your child than you do and work incredibly hard to nurture them, impart learning and care for them.
It’s their job though? I don’t get this at all. You could argue that your milkman, postman, supermarket wither, care either, cleaner etc ALL deserve extra gifts. It’s a job/vocation. Sorry, but IF a teacher gets a gift I think they should be grateful that a child/parent has gone to the effort instead of saying ‘don’t fet this, get this’. (I know this thread is specifically about that so I’m this instance it’s grand, but I’ve seen it elsewhere in here before).
HollyandJingles · 26/06/2021 11:05

I used to teach in a school in a very deprived area, lots of hungry children with little money to spare for teacher gifts. I had a very difficult class one year, very challenging behaviour and some poor parents facing real hardship, there was so little money around in that area.
I happened to mention that I loved Maltesers one day, I had a packet in my bag for lunch for some reason and the children were talking about what they had in their lunchboxes. This was around Christmas and I dont think I mentioned it again all year.
On the last day of the school year I got 23 boxes of Maltesers, I was so touched that they had all remembered! But what really got to me was a child in my class came in crying with his mum. She was very apologetic and said she was so sorry but she could only manage to buy a small packet and he was upset that he didnt have a box of them like his friends. She gave me a hug and said thank you for the year.
I was pregnant by then and hormones took over. I absolutely cried my eyes out, mum cried, the child cried, we were all a mess!
I dont teach any more, but I still have them in my box of old teaching things, my daughter is now 15 and tells me I should have eaten them because the mum spent money she didnt have on them. She is probably right, but I couldn't do it.
In all my years teaching, its the one thing that stands out.

Gaaaahhhhhhhh · 26/06/2021 11:08

Gifts I have loved over the years. Tote bags - just so handy and I have some nice personalised ones. Stuff with my initials on, stationery is always welcome.
I don’t expect gifts at all but the children enjoy giving them and I am grateful.
An email to the head would be extra nice Grin

Walkashame · 26/06/2021 11:16

I do Costa vouchers, or local cinema ones.

Last year I knew DS's amazing teacher was a runner (DW used to run into him!) so we bought him a voucher for our local running/trainer shop. He was well chuffed.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 26/06/2021 11:19

I’ve kept every card or letter I have ever had from students. Mostly, I can’t remember if the cards came with presents or, if they did, what the presents were.

What would I actually like to receive? I really don’t know. I like to leave that to the giver.

What would I actually use? Amazon gift card, book vouchers, books, Starbucks gift card, wine (non-drinkers might regift it), Officeworks gift certificate, chocolates will vanish quite quickly, maybe a little hamper of toiletry miniatures (hand creams)?

Indoctro · 26/06/2021 11:34

I got these , from a local lady who grows them in her garden

Two small bunches for my P2 (age6) son to carry on bus to school , so had to be something little m.

They cost me £7 each. I thought they were nice. I hope the teachers liked them.

Indoctro · 26/06/2021 11:36

Helps if I actually add the photo

Teacher gifts