Teacher Christmas gifts

[Bumblebeehee]

My eldest is in reception so this is our first year for Christmas presents for the teacher.
Also my middle is in nursery.
We aren’t doing a group combined present in both settings.
I presume teachers get inundated with wine/ chocolates/ mugs.
Is a gift card an adequate present alongside a card of course. Don’t want them to have loads of clutter or things they may not want.
Any suggestions welcome.

There’s really no need for a gift. I received loads of chocolates every Christmas when I was a class teacher and would give most of them away. I can guarantee that your children’s teachers will not think less of them if they don’t bring a gift. A Christmas card signed by the children would, I’m sure, be appreciated but you don’t even need to do that. The best present I’ve had is when a parent tells much how much their child enjoys being in my class, so I would suggest a quiet word of appreciation. It costs nothing and really makes a teacher’s day.

Seasalt socks and a small chocolate box like maltesers. This also makes an excellent moving rooms at nursery presents

as a teacher I come on these threads every year to say this…teachers don’t need you to spend your money on chocolates/flowers or tat for them. They get paid!
if you want to do something meaningful get your dc to write a card then put a message in it telling the teacher what you have appreciated about the term and what your dc have enjoyed. Better yet, drop an email to the head telling them that she/he is doing a great job.
they don’t need stuff but positive feedback for teachers can be very thin on the ground at times.

My friend has a small class and she absolutely loves the chocolates, biscuits, small toiletry sets etc she receives. She always makes a lovely display and sends me a photo of them and seems genuinely chuffed.

Another one in education - a gift card is a good present as staff can choose what to buy but ….

I think Christmas is expensive enough without buying teachers a present, and teachers buying their pupils a present!

end of year gift as a thank you, I understand though!

I would like to say to every parent on this thread, think of the children whose parents cannot afford or chose not to buy the teacher a gift. I feel embarrassed receiving gifts because some parents can and do, others wish they could but can't, and some children wish their parents would get them something for their teacher but they don't. PS: My favourite gift from a child was a beautiful glass bauble that goes up on my tree every year.

Depends on your location. My school is close to a Gail’s, and I think most of the staff would use vouchers for that, or whichever coffee provider is nearest the school.
How about a pretty Christmas bauble ( assuming they celebrate Christmas) or a small plant? I actually cried recently when the tiny plant given to me 2 years ago died recently, because it reminded of a pupil I had been very fond of. Biscuits to eat next term are always welcome ( but check dietary issues- my vegan teacher friend often passes on gifts they cannot eat).

A gift card would be very generous and I’m sure very much appreciated.

I’ve got so much shit in my life going on right now that I can’t even begin to think about getting gifts for teachers, TAs etc etc. BUT I do make sure the staff know they’re appreciated in other ways. For example my youngest son who can be challenging behaviour wise has recently been awarded a trip to the cinema on Tuesday for his outstanding behaviour this term so when I emailed to accept the place for him, I thanked them for offering it to him, thanked them for their support and also for encouraging him on his recent residential which he absolutely loved.

It takes a few minutes to do and I hope it makes up for the fact I just have not got the capacity (nor funds) to be buying X amounts of extra presents for people I don’t know.

Having said that, in the past for DS1 when he was at primary I got his teacher and 2 x TAs a Starbucks gift card each as they were particularly amazing with him that year and still ask how he’s getting on in secondary now.

I’m a TA and whilst of course I never expect anything at all, I always REALLY appreciate anything I do get - it means such a lot.
My favourite ever gift is a miniature bottle of Prosecco plus a couple of Lindt chocolates from their pick and mix.

Speaking as a teacher, I would absolutely not expect parents to buy me a Christmas present. A hand written card from the child is lovely. Having said that, 2 of my Christmas tree decorations were bought for me 30 years ago, I get them out every year and I still remember the children who bought them for me.

A gift card would be really appreciated.

I take a tub of chocolates in for all staff, with a card wishing them a Merry Christmas and thanking them for everything they’ve done for my children this year. That way the office staff, TAs and other staff are included. It’s a small school, around 10/11 staff, so must if them gave sone involvement with either/both if my kids at sone point.

I appreciate the chocolates as even if we get loads, they always have a good use by date so even if it takes me a couple of months to work through them, I will! Wine I don’t drink but it’s handy to keep in the house for guests. Quite a lot of candles now, which I love. To be honest anything but “best teacher ever” coasters, mugs and diaries are great! My favourite thing though is the look of joy on their faces as they give the gift. It’s so cute when they run in in the morning with their gift bag all excited to give you a treat, bless them!

I wouldn't start this. It is not expected and a card written by the child is just as welcome. Take no notice of what anyone else does. At the end of the school year a home made gift from children goes down a treat.

Another teacher here, nothing is expected and anything is received with thanks.

I have a box of hand made cards and letters that I’ll keep for ever.

my favourite proper gift was anti ageing cream as the parent in question thought I might need it for teaching her son.

Pritt sticks (not some cheap alternative) are like gold in schools and one would never go wrong and is a cheap
amusing gift

My DD noticed a hand cream her teacher used and told me and I got her some of that. Other times a £10 Amazon card.

I teach in Key Stage 1. There is no expectation for gifts. Suggestions of spa, cinema, afternoon tea vouchers are ridiculously over the top!
The amount of chocs I receive is crazy, I give most of it away.
I do still have hand made decorations that pupils have made hanging on my tree every year, I have decorated rocks in my garden too! And sincere messages from parents are genuinely appreciated more than anything!

A gift card is lovely x

Think people forget nursery staff and teachers are quite poorly paid jobs so a gift card or wine are lovely gifts to receive

DSis loves the hand made cards from the children the most and she also has baubles on her tree covering many years of children decorating things. Many parents do give generously too - chocs, treats all welcomed but the hand decorated gifts go on her tree covering many years and she remembers each child that made them. Teaches P1 age 5.

I don't get this teacher and presents thing. They're doing a job and most of the time they get 18 duplicates of the same mug or keyring. You see teacher gifts in charity shops all the time so don't waste your money on people who are just paid to do a job

I gave a bunch of flowers as thank you at the end of the year. I never did anything for Christmas. They have only worked with your child for a short time.

By all means give them a card (which my child will do) but I have never understood this teacher gift giving that has arisen in recent years. I am only in my late 20s and I never remember parents/kids giving teachers presents at primary. I think I gave presents to a couple of teachers when I left 6th form but that is it.

I give chocolate advent calendars 1st dec.