Cheap but meaningful gifts for teachers

[KJCB1210]

I know everyone has a different opinion on whether gifts should be bought but the staff in ds's class have gone above and beyond this year, he's in year 6 so leaving too. He's been one of the Ta's for the past 4 years in the mornings.

he has additional needs ^

thing is, I want to buy something but very tight budget this year. There is 1 teacher and 3 ta's.

home made is not an option as Ds hates anything crafty related 😅 and I'm not much better myself

We used to all put in £10 and it would be split between teacher, TA & anyone else who had helped out.

The nicest present I ever received was a yellow tulip from a Y6 boy who brought a bunch in on the last day and gave one to everyone who had meant something special to him while he was at the school...

Write something really lovely and individual in a card for them. That is genuinely the best thing. Teachers got a shit time over Covid - and having someone tell you that you've done an amazing job and how grateful they are is worth a lot more than any gift.

Don't put yourself into money struggles. They will not mind no gift. But a card each with something personal would be much appreciated.

Thoughtful message in a card?

Write a nice message and if its about a TA who has gone anove and beyond, and send a copy to the head.

Also its really liberating to not worry about gifts being meaningful. If you give something random with a nice message it becomes meaningful anyway. I know that sounds daft but people attach meaning to all sorts.

£5 coffee voucher

£5 gift card for a coffee shop? I know it's not especially meaningful but it's genuinely useful and would probably be gratefully received. Include a thoughtful card thanking them for all they have done.

Yes agree, I was a teacher (secondary) and the thing I remember was a GCSE student who gave me some chocs and said how grateful she was for a specific thing I had done. I didn’t need the chocs but I remember the student and what she said.

heartfelt message in card and copy to head teacher is all you need, honestly.

As a past TA for special needs kids I can honestly say that a message of appreciation in a card is the best gift I ever received.

I think most teachers and TAs would say that a handmade card, or a bought card, with a really meaningful message is very much appreciated, especially if you email the head, expressing how pleased you are.

Hand written card and a lottery ticket plus email to Head and chair of governors saying about your thoughts.

As others have said give a lovely card, maybe a small voucher if you really want to and a letter to the head.

The last thing they need or want is another personalised mug/photo frame/vase.

Could he pick a bar or packet of chocolates for each of them ?

DS is a 6th form teacher. I was surprised that gifts were still a thing, thought it was only primary school.
Actual gifts are gratefully received but the best thing he gets is a written thank you extolling his excellence. Even better if copied to the head.

Favourites for me- card or drawing from kid, email to my boss telling her how great I am Things that cost money- coffee shop or stationery voucher, keyring with silly cartoon character we'd joked about during the year, big canvas bag for my marking, plant/seeds, pens!

Another vote for heartfelt card here.

Thoughtful message in a card. Do NOT do a All For 1 gift card or whatever its called that you can get from the post office.

Please write the card. I'm a HOY11 and I've had loads of gifts recently but the letters, cards, emails - to me and our head - mean so so so much.

Please don't spend money if funds are tight. Buy or make a card and put a handwritten message from the heart in it. Maybe a few lines by your DS and a note from you.

Much more likely to be kept and treasured than the usual teacher gifts.

If your DS doesn't like craft might he like designing something on the computer or putting something together on one of the personalised card websites? If not just buy a card.

Thanks all. I intended to to cards, just after ideas for small gifts! ☺️

Lottery ticket in a card is a good idea if you’re on a budget, £4 for all of them in a homemade card.

When my DD left her primary school I bought a beautiful art book. It was for the classroom.

Honestly a lovely card with specific thanks is the best thing. I still have lots of cards I've kept.
And as others say an email to the head.

A bulb (one to grow) so they can plant it and enjoy the bloom next year.

A plant each? You can houseplants for about £3. If you want a pot holder look in charity shops, they always have them and look new— not much can go wrong with a pot holder.
If you know anyone with a Spider plant see if they’ve got any well grown plantlets, you’ve still got a few weeks to grow them on.