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Original poster

Teacher Christmas gifts

50 replies

ReasonableOrUnreasonable · 07/12/2023 13:12

Hi,

We live in a middle-class town where gifts are given to teachers for Christmas. Now for us this year money is practically non-existent, so I want to do something as cheap as possible.

I can crochet reasonably well and was thinking of making a toy/mascot (the class has an animal name so it would be of this) and then an angel decoration for each member of staff (it’s a CoE school so shouldn’t offend anyone).

As they’ll not cost anything but me raiding my supplies I feel tight, do you think they’d be appreciated?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 07/12/2023 13:13

I think that sounds lovely, much better than a mug.

Autumn1990 · 07/12/2023 13:14

Yes I do. Items that can be used either at home or in the classroom I think are great

Bluevelvetsofa · 07/12/2023 13:15

What will be appreciated is a card with a meaningful message and an email to the head, if you want to praise the teacher.

Don’t fret that you can't spend. A card, particularly one made by your child, is lovely.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations General education General shopping
lightelmqueen · 07/12/2023 13:15

Both ideas sound absolutely lovely. I'm an ex primary school teacher and the best gifts I ever got were the small handmade ones or the cards children made me. Please don't feel that you need to buy teachers gifts

purser25 · 07/12/2023 13:39

Lovely idea i would have been thrilled

Birchvalley · 07/12/2023 13:48

I'm a teacher and these are the items I cherish!
Love a homemade card and gift, these are the gifts I keep, they mean so much.

Bluevelvetsofa · 07/12/2023 14:02

The gifts I remember most are the personal messages and once, a fridge magnet, with a meaningful ( to the boy’s mum and me) message.

WithIcePlease · 07/12/2023 14:08

Sounds lovely OP

dontgobaconmyheart · 07/12/2023 14:17

I do think it's hard to say.

I used to teach, and I suppose come from a predominantly middle class town and it makes limited difference IMO - most of us still didn't particularly want gifts from every parent and certainly couldn't make use of them all. I can only speak for myself and my own experience but a lot of the food gifts ended up at the foodbank where they could be made better use of or re-distributed among family/friends over christmas because there's just too much of it and parents usually (quite reasonably) have limited knowledge of the depths of teachers dietary preferences and restrictions.

There are also only so many mugs, candles, candle holders, homemade bracelets objects with your name on that you want at home, especially when you consider that you get a class of children every year giving the same and often in multile terms. It really isn't to say it isn't appreciated or that they aren't sweet but the only thing I've really kept - other than the odd box of chocolates I happened to really like, are the cards written from the children with their gorgeous, which I adore and still look at years later (teaching was not for me and I left).

I wouldn't worry yourself with it OP or make extra effort or expense if it is inconvenient. Have the DC write what they like about their teacher in a nice card, perhaps a little drawing and you will already have given them the gift they'll most probably be the most touched by.

Mumaway · 07/12/2023 14:21

I imagine it will be one of their favourite gifts. What a great skill to have and a lovely thought from you.

Puppupandaway · 07/12/2023 14:36

Two years ago, I crocheted a small bumblebee for my dd's teacher as an end of year gift. She kept it on her desk for the following year and my dd loved seeing it there. I also crocheted an elephant for her elephant-loving nursery teacher, and she let me know that she keeps it on her kitchen windowsill at home. In my experience, everyone loves a crocheted gift! So I say go for it!!

britespark1 · 07/12/2023 14:46

I crochet and do this too OP! This year I’ve made pigs in blankets chocolate orange covers 🐷

Fatnangry · 07/12/2023 16:19

Write a nice card. Teachers don't need presents. A card is lovely.
A card for anyone doing a good job is lovely.
Teachers are not monsters and will not think less of you or your child if you don't give them a present.

Timeturnerplease · 09/12/2023 07:42

A homemade card is the best present; I’ve got nearly 15 years’ worth in a scrapbook, along with letters/emails/messages of thanks.

salamirose · 09/12/2023 07:44

I'd genuinely not bother tbh. They must get so many nick naks etc. I'd just send a card - better if your kid makes it.

Loveandloveandlove · 09/12/2023 07:45

Far nicer than a bought gift. I’d love one of those gifts. 😊

surreygirl1987 · 09/12/2023 07:46

Bake some Christmas cookies, ice and decorate them, and give one to each teacher along with a card?

MadeOfAllWork · 09/12/2023 07:47

Honestly a card with a message in will be enough.

Mugaloaf · 09/12/2023 07:51

This sounds like a lovely gift. I'd love to receive something like this.

My friend made me a chochet Christmas decoration and I love hanging it on the tree each year.

DinosApple · 09/12/2023 07:57

If you enjoy crafting things personally I'd absolutely love that.

I'm a teaching assistant, so I'm very tight up this time of year too. Staff understand and don't expect anything. If you felt it was earned, a sincere thank you and a Merry Christmas said at the gate would make most staff really happy.

Littleelffriend · 09/12/2023 08:02

I’m not giving my daughter’s teacher anything this Christmas. There’s a collection which is currently sitting at £150 which will be spent on a gift card. I didn’t contribute. She’s not been a great teacher

notahappybunny7 · 09/12/2023 09:02

Who exactly will be offended by an angel and why would you care?

AnneShirley18 · 09/12/2023 09:29

Handmade animals and angels sound adorable and so thoughtful. I'd love that. Nothing is also fine. I hate the idea of struggling parents thinking they need to buy something.

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 09/12/2023 09:36

Those sound like lovely thoughtful gifts. I'm sure the staff would love them.

HamstersAreMyLife · 09/12/2023 09:37

I did a crochet bookmark one year at the end of term (I don't do Christmas teacher gifts) which will impact your stash less. You could do flat angels, stars or a Christmas tree if you want to theme them for Christmas. The other bonus is super quick and easy to either use or regift. An animal toy is harder to regift or donate due to lack of tags.