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Original poster

Did school give your kids a present? What?

90 replies

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2021 20:57

I'm just curious. Ours (primary) always do books, from nursery up to year 6. It's also always books for prizes like Halloween altho Easter Bonnets is an Easter Egg

OP posts:
Original poster
SleepingStandingUp · 21/12/2021 00:53

@JimmyGrimble

A couple of years ago at home time on the last day child goes running up to their parent clutching the gift bag I have given them. Child says something like ‘look, ms grimble got us a present’ … parent replies ‘it’ll just be a book or some other shit’
😭
OP posts:
LittleBabyCheeses · 21/12/2021 02:03

@User135792468

I’ve never known PTA’s paying for gifts. Those of you assuming they do, it is actually your child’s teacher putting their hands in their own pockets to do something nice for your dc.
We got a message from the Head saying that the PTA had very kindly funded the books.
LadyCleathStuart · 21/12/2021 09:55

User135792468

I’ve never known PTA’s paying for gifts. Those of you assuming they do, it is actually your child’s teacher putting their hands in their own pockets to do something nice for your dc.

Our PTA raise funds in November to pay for the main class gifts, my DH is their treasurer so I know how much they raise and spend.

The teachers usually do buy a sweet though.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Books Childcare & nursery General education Primary education
LadyCleathStuart · 21/12/2021 09:55

*argh quote fail!

RosieLemonade · 21/12/2021 10:10

@Marmite27

A selection box from Santa when he visited as part of party day.

A book from her class teacher.

Last year she got a Christmas themed rubber duck from the reception team that she loved and made a house for in the holidays.

My DD got a book as well. We had hundreds anyway and she also got 2 book advent calendars from relatives. We have 51 new books now Grin My school has given books every year but didn't do anything this year. Our school has been rather miserable about the festive period.
TheSpanishApartment · 21/12/2021 10:23

My daughter (y2) got a hot chocolate cone made by the teacher. Same teacher last year made them all personalised key rings at the end of the year. I thought it was lovely of her to take the time to make 30 gifts!

sleighbelleuk · 21/12/2021 11:02

I bought my class books too, and one of those tubes of Smarties.

I managed to trick them into choosing their 'top three' books from a selection I found at The Works, with them thinking it was to add to our class library and I'd buy a few of the most popular ones. Then I bought each of them their first choice.

I also have never known PTA funding teacher gifts, and I'm also very aware that some teachers just don't want to or have the money to give presents.

BitterTits · 21/12/2021 11:12

@sleighbelleuk

I bought my class books too, and one of those tubes of Smarties.

I managed to trick them into choosing their 'top three' books from a selection I found at The Works, with them thinking it was to add to our class library and I'd buy a few of the most popular ones. Then I bought each of them their first choice.

I also have never known PTA funding teacher gifts, and I'm also very aware that some teachers just don't want to or have the money to give presents.

This is lovely. I hope it was appreciated.
cansu · 21/12/2021 11:15

Most schools have no budget to buy gifts for the children. I am a teacher and even the tub of sweets we used to get for each class has gone now. I bought my class a small gift and a few sweets paid for by me.

SkyLarkDescending · 21/12/2021 11:21

I gave my class a pair of Xmas socks and a chocolate reindeer each this year. They also get a book from the PTA which Santa brings on party day.

At then end of last year, I bought diy wooden plant pot kits and we decorated them together in class. I then gave each child a small plant to take home in them.

We've never been given funding from school for this (or many essentials actually!) but it's worth it to me to build that positive relationship with children and families.

MissCruellaDeVil · 21/12/2021 11:28

Both the school I teach in and DC's school in did books as they always do, it's a nice idea to get the kids reading over the holidays.

Hemingwayscatz · 21/12/2021 11:32

They put a chocolate coin in a card. One teacher at their old school really went to town every year. She bought them all a Christmas present, Easter egg and a personalised mug at the end of the school year. She also had a birthday box so when it was a child’s birthday they could choose a gift. She was a lovely, smiley woman and reminded me of Miss Honey.

WasgijGods · 21/12/2021 11:49

We're not allowed to buy our class a gift. I feel really guilty about not buying them gifts. I've always bought my class a gift at previous schools (no school budget, own money).

After reading this thread, I'm now wondering if it's because parents have complained in previous years 🤔

Lightbulbs · 21/12/2021 11:53

Teacher here.

Any presents given to the children have always been because I've bought something out of my own pocket.

I've never had a budget from the school or PTA.

I don't think the parents ever realise just how much some teachers spend their own money on the kids.
I've always had to pay for ingredients if we cook.... things for science experiments, bits for displays..... with no reimbursements from the school.

onemouseplace · 21/12/2021 11:53

A book each from the school, and DS’s teacher bought everyone a little gift from her.

I’m grateful obviously, but the book DD got was ridiculously young for her (think Reception level picture book when she is reading chapter books) so will be going straight in the charity shop pile.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 21/12/2021 11:58

DS got a lovely 2022 calendar with photos of him in school, in various costumes etc. Also a chocolate penguin and a very nice card signed by the teacher and two TAs with a message specific to him.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 21/12/2021 12:01

Ours got a Santa gift from the PTA which I think was a small activity book. I gave a pencil and had an advent tree with candy canes and bells (polar express!). I don't buy other gifts but I get lots of craft materials so they can do their own craft session on the last day which they love! Pipe cleaner bracelets were the most popular this year. Oh and they each get a wooden bauble decorated with their photo and gems, another beaded decoration that they make.

I find they enjoy making stuff for their families more than more chocolate and they were definitely pleased with their bags they took home.

dotsandco · 21/12/2021 12:02

Our PTA doesn't buy presents for the children anymore, as it doesn't have enough cash in its coffers...all the usual fundraisers have not happened, so...🤷‍♀️

I bought my own class (Year 2) a gift though (as a lot of primary teachers do out of their own money!) I filled a cellophane cone with small stationery items...a pencil with a cute rubber on the end, highlighter (my class are obsessed!), sharpener, notebook and a 'snap' ruler and also bags of sweets. I also adopted an animal from the WWF for our class, which came with the cuddly toy and a certificate. I made mini versions of the certificate and laminated them, and added this to their cone. I reckon each gift was around £4, which when you multiply that by 34 is quite a bit 😬

Why are you asking OP?

Chanel05 · 21/12/2021 12:05

I'm a teacher and have never heard of PTA buying Christmas gifts for children, it's all out of our own pocket.

I give a card and candy cane to each child but I have a large class of 35 and just cannot afford a bookmark/key ring / little book for everyone.

dotsandco · 21/12/2021 12:11

@Lightbulbs

Teacher here.

Any presents given to the children have always been because I've bought something out of my own pocket.

I've never had a budget from the school or PTA.

I don't think the parents ever realise just how much some teachers spend their own money on the kids.
I've always had to pay for ingredients if we cook.... things for science experiments, bits for displays..... with no reimbursements from the school.

Exactly this. All of the cooking and science experiments have been funded by me! I drew the line at the DT one last year, where the unit was sewing bunting and I was called 'uncaring' when I refused to foot a bill of £128 for the resources required! My head actually used the PA 'but it's for the children so surely you don't begrudge them?'

No, I don't, but it's not my job to fund the curriculum to the extent that I can't pay my own rent!

cultkid · 21/12/2021 12:11

Pta got books for all of the kids in the school
My sons teacher also gave him a book. She will have paid for that with her own money. I really appreciate the teacher buying him something. The kids are usually a bit disappointed with books: they aren't the really good books they are normally ones that we have duplicates already that people buy as birthday presents etc from the works or somewhere simmilar

I always get the teachers a gift and write a heartfelt note but this year I was too poorly and in hospital so didn't do any school runs for weeks. I'll be giving his teacher a happy new year present instead with a note to thank her for her effort

MrsLeclerc · 21/12/2021 12:15

My DS is 3 and in a nursery that’s attached to a primary school. They had a selection box each after a visit from Father Christmas. He also had a wrapped book ‘Lucy and Tom at Christmas’ from the staff.

I was really pleasantly surprised with his gifts. We live in quite a poor area so I wasn’t expecting the school to gift him anything. DS was over the moon with the book.

SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 21/12/2021 12:16

Our school took the children to the panto (we paid for the tickets and they paid transport) and the teacher gave them all a selection box and a colouring book about the Christmas story.

Usuallytootiredbuthappyanyway · 21/12/2021 12:17

Not just primary teachers who give their students gifts out of their own pocket! I'm in secondary and the majority of my colleagues give something to their form groups and also buy several tubs of chocolates for the last lessons with classes they teach. Definitely no budget given to it and nothing from the PTA. I've given my form little snowglobes and candy canes this year but I often make things - personalised mugs, keyrings, Christmas ornaments etc.
I'm gobsmacked at the thought that parents would consider any gift given too small! It's a tough job finding things that they will enjoy without it being a silly amount to spend once you multiply it by 30 odd.

SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 21/12/2021 12:18

Oh and the dinner ladies gave DS a biscuit to leave out for Santa on the last day!

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