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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

is this a pile of old tat that will at best go in the attic, or a good idea for a teacher's pressie?

42 replies

Greensleeves · 16/07/2010 16:27

we are stony broke at the moment and we are supposed to be going on holiday next week (booked ages ago)

I always like to get nice presents for my dc's teachers/TAs, and have a couple of times chanced it with home-made sweets etc

so how does this sound:

TAs get homemade carrot cake with little marzipan/icing carrots on top, which we will make with the dc

teachers get a portrait of themselves done by the dc (using my grown-up paints and watercolour paper etc), in a frame decorated by the dc with tissue/glitter/gems etc

and home-made cards

OP posts:
oranges · 16/07/2010 16:30

I'd give everyone the carrot cake, which sounds lovely.
Don't waste your grown up paints on portraits that will, er, probably not be treasured (but I'm not a teacher so feel free to ignore me)

Geocentric · 16/07/2010 16:32

Cakes, definitely. And cards. Save portraits for familymembers/close friends, imo.

swallowedAfly · 16/07/2010 16:32

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swanandduck · 16/07/2010 16:32

It's a lovely idea, and the teacher may stick it up on her kitchen wall or fridge for a couple of weeks. But I do think it will end up in a drawer or the bin after that. However, I certainly don't think she'll view it with 'contempt' and if she does, she doesn't deserve any kind of present.

cybilliberty · 16/07/2010 16:33

cake yes

paintings no

ppeatfruit · 16/07/2010 16:33

As an ex teacher I think the home made carrot cake would be very welcome from the TAs and teachers! Especially with marzipan !!

Original poster
Greensleeves · 16/07/2010 16:34

I work in a children's centre with young children, and personally I DO treasure things that have given to me by the children, and more so if it is something they have made themselves

my walls do have pictures done by other people's children on them

but I will take the majority advice - thanks

OP posts:
mumbar · 16/07/2010 16:40

I gave teacher a photo frame today as shes gone on maternity and thought it was appropriate for teacher/ new mother.

Cake sounds fab - ds often takes a slice in if we've baked and teachers do enjoy it - or say they do

Alambil · 16/07/2010 16:42

cake sounds good, although the bitch-teacher I was with on my last placement put all foodstuffs in the bin claiming "it's unhygenic, coming from kids, innit"

I said to myself... "no, it's just ungrateful"

mitochondria · 16/07/2010 16:51

I agree. Cake - yes. Pictures - not so much. I've got a painted plate in the back of a cupboard somewhere with a picture of someone's children on. I haven't thrown it away - but I'd rather have had the cake.

Original poster
Greensleeves · 16/07/2010 16:54

it would be a pic of the teacher done by the child, not a pic of my children

I had the idea cos a teacher friend of mine (secondary teacher) has a pic on his wall that a child did for him

but consensus seems to be that it's a crap idea, so will probably go with cake

feel a bit sad about it though, cake just doesn't seem very special

OP posts:
swanandduck · 16/07/2010 16:57

Actually, that's different and a nice keepsake. I would like that if I was a teacher and would put it up in my kitchen.

katiestar · 16/07/2010 17:02

i wouldn't want cake made by kids.

swallowedAfly · 16/07/2010 17:09

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janeite · 16/07/2010 17:12

I remember that you had a similar thread about this time last year and I was one of the teachers who would have loved a fairy painting (think that's what you were considering last time?).

I think that carrot cake and a picture sounds lovely - if they wouldn't want it up at home, they can keep it in the classroom.

As a teacher, I'd want carrot cake as well though and would be of the TAs if they got cake and I didn't!

You sound really thoughtful - lucky TAs and teachers.

SE13Mummy · 16/07/2010 17:35

I'd go for the cake but perhaps your DCs could use proper paints and watercolour paper to paint mini teacher portraits to be mounted on card and used as the card.

If one of my pupils had painted a picture of me (provided I didn't look too fat/scary/mean)I'd be delighted and would treasure it.

porcamiseria · 16/07/2010 17:36

yes to cake, I'd love a cake

NOOOO to homemade picture!!!

bless

Margeaux · 16/07/2010 17:47

Cakes and cards are a winner

ChippingIn · 16/07/2010 18:14

I would love a picture that the kids had done (but only if they wanted to do it, not if they had been made to do it) and I would put it up for a little while, then keep it in a box of 'treasures'.... but as you can see from MN not all teachers actually like children and would appreciate their effort... beggars belief why some people are teachers to be honest?!

I think the cake is a lovely idea too

I would appreciate anything the children had made or chosen to give me (even 10 of the same 'best teacher' bits of 'tat' because if the child wants to do it and has chosen it, it is still special! However, if it's was the parents making/choosing to say 'thank you' then wine would never go amis ..... but I would never feel it was necessary & certainly not expected.

notso · 16/07/2010 18:34

I am a TA and my best presents have been a carrot cake, I always feel carrot cake is healthy! and some hand cream from M&S which was £1 and on 3 for 2 I know because I had got some for my DD's teachers.
I have also brought home a picture of me done by one of the pupils not given as a gift but I loved it so snuck it home.

singsinthebath · 16/07/2010 18:35

another vote for cake.

Shitemum · 16/07/2010 18:37

I would never give something that wasn't use-upable - flowers, chocs, wine, nice toiletries.

rubbersoul · 16/07/2010 18:42

I would personally love the picture

emptyshell · 16/07/2010 18:49

At this point in the year when everyone's flagging, tired, needs a lift - I'd err on the side of cake. Pictures are hit or miss, cake is a guaranteed success.

Glitterandglue · 16/07/2010 19:23

Really depends on the teacher, and you have to know them well enough to know if they will care for homemade keepsakes or not. I personally love all that sort of sentimental rubbish as I am a hoarder and I love going through all my stuff every now and then getting nostalgic, but I know a lot of people don't.

I am the person who's got pictures from other people's kids on the wall [including ones from my family and ones I've worked with] and got a lovely card the other day from my nephew saying, "You are my best antee."