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.

I have given and received gift cards myself. They are a lovely gift. Depending on value, I’d say they are maybe more for a special member of staff. Chocolates and biscuits are very gratefully received. Please don’t feel a need to buy though. Whilst really appreciated, all the children are loved the same regardless of gift giving.

Thank you all, I can see gift cards are probably the most useful from the majority of comments. How much? £10, £20?
For those of you who suggest don’t get anything, well that is your choice, I will be getting something as it is my way of appreciation.

This year I'm giving dd's teachers a Christmas decoration for the tree, I know them well so have been able to choose something to their taste with dd.

Just to say, I agree with you - if your children are happy in school, the staff are a major part of that and it is lovely to recognise that. Don’t worry about the amount, just what you can afford x

My kids primary schools banned teacher gifts, they were in a mixed catchment and many families were stretching themselves to buy something or to contribute to collective gifts. The Parent Council arranged something for all staff and parents could send a card or email to say thank you, but no gifts.

I think £10 is ample if you do want to give something, in years to come you may have two class teachers and a TA to buy for and it quickly gets out of hand, hence some schools now banning gifts.

Don't give a "World's Best Teacher" mug. My SIL was a primary school teacher, and had dozens of them!

I'm another who doesn't buy gifts, we do handmade cards and they always go down really well.

A box of biscuits for the staffroom.

Some chocolate or wine.
All consumable and will definitely be appreciated.

Something that will easily sell in your local charity shop as that's where most of the stuff ends up.

A coffee gift card is always appreciated, literally just £5 for a Costa hot chocolate, if you wanted to gift. A card and a thank you is more than enough though!

A coffee gift card is always appreciated, literally just £5 for a Costa hot chocolate, if you wanted to gift. A card and a thank you is more than enough though!

I have friends who are teachers who spend a lot of their own money on classroom resources. We used to buy a book my son had loved each year for their book corners and tell them why he loved it to encourage other children.

I got a £20 Starbucks voucher last year. I knew she liked coffee (probably needed it teaching 25 6 year olds too 🤣)

One year I was extremely overwhelmed by a parent who gave me an hmv voucher - back in the 90s and they knew I was a music specialist in a primary. I was shocked as I’d only ever had cockolates, candles etc. I always had to make it clear to kids that I don’t drink as some sent wine. This was before the coffee shop culture was a thing. I’d say a Greggs, Starbucks or Costa voucher would be equally well received.

I obviously never expected gifts and I would never get one off each child. But those with parents who do like to gift is advise agains mugs and teddy bears that don’t make it home. Even toiletries and candles can be tricky to get right. I’ve always gifted for my kids’ teachers. Usually a big tin of biscuits or sweets for the staffroom. I’ve contributed to class gifts as well.

But if you can’t afford it, don’t spend. Teachers don’t expect and won’t hold it against your child.

The last few years I’ve been a subject specialist and taught across a range of classes and one or two parents have gifted me a card with a lip balm in. Love it. Key rings. My daughter bought all her teachers a pin badge one year with a card - her choice and pocket money as she’s a teen - and they all wear them on their lanyard.

No need to get a gift (cards are lovely) but if you do - don’t forget the class TA too!

Just to say, Scout and Guide leaders also appreciate an occasional gift (and rarely get one...) 😉

Another who works in a school and says please please don't feel like you have to get anything.

We feel guilty that parents are stretching themselves financially, as well giving themselves yet another thing to think about at a busy time.

We sometimes have 4 or 5 staff working in our class! Parents are spending small fortunes.

IF you must give something a card/handmade card from your child and maybe a tin of biscuits for the staff room or class.

Parents in our school have started doing class collections. Giving in £10 each and splitting it among gift cards for all the staff in that class. Very much appreciated but far far too generous. I worry about the families who feel pressured into chipping in when they can't afford it or just don't want to.

I worked for many years in a school in a very deprived area. You would not believe the amount of money spent on gifts for teachers and TA's. Non of the staff expected gifts. The best gift you could give would be to let the staff know that their child is happy and enjoys being in the class. If you feel you need to buy a gift then something small like a bauble would be nice and the teacher/TA would remember that child. I still have small trinkets from 20+ years ago and still remember the children . In fact one of the children is now my window cleaner! In a nutshell teachers/TA's do not expect to be given gifts.

I would think a coffee shop voucher would be useful as the teacher could get a coffee and a cake.

I normally buy an Amazon voucher or similar. My lovely teacher friends buy lots of things out of pocket for their class rooms. So I put a note in that says we appreciate all that you do as our teacher, and I know that being a teacher can be expensive as you buy lots of things for the classroom- hopefully this helps a little....

I’ve never bought a teacher a Christmas gift in my life, only ever end of year ones but this year my DS’s teacher is leaving after Christmas and she’s been his teacher since reception (he’s year 2 now) so will likely be getting her a gift card of some kind.

I find this sort of thing tough because I know not everyone drinks alcohol, eats chocolate, likes candles etc so it’s difficult. I definitely know to steer clear of mugs, my cousins are primary school teachers and are always inundated with best teacher mugs which they just can’t keep so give to charity shops…