This year, I can't afford gifts for school staff.

[Serena1977]

I feel really bad. Previous years I have been really generous but due to furlough, covid etc I have to be more careful financially leading up to the summer holidays.

Ironically, this year my son's teacher who he's never had before has been superb and way beyond her duty so she really does deserve something compared to other years when they have been great but within the realms of normality. This time, this year's teacher has been exceptional.

I just feel guilty. I will email the head and get cards though.

Please reassure. We live in a fairly well off neighbourhood which is making me feel worse.

I taught for over 25 years before taking early retirement. I had some lovely gifts over the years including bottles of champagne. My favourite was a packet of wild flower seeds. I threw them in my back garden as not much of a gardener but wow I got a fantastic display and they attracted many butterflies too. They reseed themselves each year so many still there.

@Serena1977

I feel really bad. Previous years I have been really generous but due to furlough, covid etc I have to be more careful financially leading up to the summer holidays.

Ironically, this year my son's teacher who he's never had before has been superb and way beyond her duty so she really does deserve something compared to other years when they have been great but within the realms of normality. This time, this year's teacher has been exceptional.

I just feel guilty. I will email the head and get cards though.

Please reassure. We live in a fairly well off neighbourhood which is making me feel worse.

A lovely card with the most heartfelt message would be amazing. You don't need to spend money to make someone feel truly appreciated and valued.

Reading for words of wisdom as I am in exactly the same situation, feeling impending pressure from the FB mums group and feeling horribly embarrassed I can’t afford to buy gifts, there is a teacher and FOUR TA’s too… With being a lone parent and having the gut wrenching financial worry and stress of paying for six weeks of childcare through the summer holidays for two small children so I can go to work, I literally don’t have a penny spare. I can’t even write a heartfelt card as I don’t know any of the TA’s as due to Covid they’ve never met the parents and I’m really not keen on my child’s Reception teacher and nor is he. So I’d feel very fake writing a thank you card out to her when I’ve found her cold and grumpy to say the least, and my son who is shy and introverted cannot wait to go into his new Yr 1 teachers class (who seems absolutely lovely so far)

I’m sorry to say I am often unsure of which gift is from which child to be completely honest.
If you want to thank her, write a sincere thank you card/letter, it will mean the world.

We had a year like this once so I got the kids to help me bake cakes and decorate them. DS's teacher stopped me to let me know how much home-made gifts were appreciated and she was really touched by the thought and time taken

I’m a teacher - I don’t need presents!!! I love homemade cards though, they mean so much more!

I know a few teachers and whilst they are appreciative of gifts in general it is a load of toot that hey dont need. Write a message in a card and it will be much more worthwhile.

That’s absolutely fine! I would hate to think that anyone was putting themselves into financial difficulty or worrying about getting me a gift! £30 is way too much anyway, I’m happy with a box of Malteasers if anything thanks 😊 (well DS is as he nicks them!).