It's that time of year again - teacher gifts

[Itswaytoohot]

Can I ask what people have bought for their child's teacher this year? Or if you are a teacher what has even the loveliest thing you have received?

Is it really true that a thoughtful message in a card is most appreciated?

Please no miserable posts about teachers not deserving gifts. No other person that I can think of spends 30 hours a week looking after the most precious person in the world to me, my child. If they've done a good job I like to say thank you.

Vouchers in a card - John Lewis usually. Avoids waste and they don't have to wrestle home armfuls of flowers.

I’ve made a charitable donation in the teachers name (to unicef.) I’m sure he’ll appreciate it and I wanted to get something a bit different.

What a lovely post, OP.
I suspect that your children are a pleasure to teach!
I'm secondary, I really like cards because the messages are so nice. I don't drink, but nice biscuits or chocolate are always appreciated.
I once got a beautiful book mark, it has pressed wild flowers on it - I use it every day and it must have been given at least 10 years ago!

I just got them a card and a box of chocolates. Can’t be spending much more than that to be honest.

I'm sure that will be very much appreciated.

A voucher for Costa or similar always goes down well. Doesn't have to be for much.
I like wine and gin but not everyone does.

Make sure you put what you said about the teacher caring for your child in the card, it's lovely.

my DH got a bottle of moet this year!

I gave a bottle of moet this year. ;)

It was to DS's SENCO who has gone so above and beyond for him and quite possibly was the reason he made it through the year.

Usually though I give regular bottles of wine and big flower bunches.

Waitrose/JL gift cards for teacher, TA and afterschool club lady. We have a Waitrose in town so they can use it there or online at JL. They seemed pretty happy with that at Xmas.

Sorry I realise that sounds so cheesy, but if my dc have had a positive year it means such a lot.

It's difficult because you can never be quite sure how it will be received. Lots of people say to avoid chocolate although one of my dc did give his teacher some chocolate one year she opened it straight away said it was her favourite and ate it in class 🤣

Any ideas appreciated.

A few of us clubbed together and got the teacher a voucher for his favourite restaurant. He was, apparently, 'overwhelmed'😀

That's so kind and thoughtful. I'm sure he was overwhelmed!

I always buy biscuits/chocolates for all staff to have in the staff room. Reason being is it is not just teachers in a school. Don’t forget ta’s, admin staff etc all work super hard too behind the scenes.

I’m a primary school teacher. Thoughtful message in a card is most appreciated.

I’ve very gratefully received vouchers many times and they have always been much appreciated. But I seem to go against the grain when it comes to teacher gifts, because I love coming home with the ‘armfuls of tat’ that MN seems to dread. It might not be great for the environment (or my waistline) but when a child hands over some little plastic thing or a box of chocolates that they’ve helped choose they love it, and they learn that it’s good to appreciate the people that care for them and educate them. It’s much more personal, and the moment when a child gives their teacher a heartfelt thank you is worth way more than the fun of a spending spree in John Lewis.

I got a card once which made me cry the message was so beautiful. So yes, lovely messages in cards.
Otherwise wine or chocolate please.
Please no smellies.

Card is nice. Donation to food bank or similar lovely. Lots of our families use them. For the families who struggle, please please don’t spend money on me. I do get paid and I would hate for someone to feel they had to get a gift.
Best teacher stuff is a rip off and it’s hard to know what to do with it, despite being grateful.

When my Dd left primary school I gave them an art book. Wether they used in in the library, classroom or the teacher took it home, it was up to them.

Tray of cupcakes to share between teachers and ta's

Flowers are a lovely thought, but IME a lot of teachers go on hols as soon as they break up so it's a waste.

I just did sunflowers this year.

Where we are, one parent organises a class collection and then gets vouchers. I confess I'm not the organising parent, but I'm very grateful to the one who is!

TAs Boots vouchers (DS has ASN and they go above and beyond). Teacher posh candle (TK Maxx, not too posh🤣). Depute head who deals with DS a furry toy of the animal she loves for her desk (DS picked it).

I'm secondary and rarely get gifts, it's not the culture, but do get cards. This year I got the most heart-felt card from a pupil who I've taught over the years who is leaving for university. I was in real tears- rare for me. Bless her- she's had a rough life and she's off to do medicine. I'm so, so proud.

@Maireas He really deserved it. He's a fantastic teacher.