to ask you not to buy Christmas presents for teachers.

[Crabapple99]

I have seen several threads on the topic, so want to give my point of view and experiences.

1. Many staff are not allowed to accept a gift above a certain value ( £3 in my school) so these big gifts, especially class gifts, leave staff in a very difficult situation, causing all sorts of paperwork and recording, and leaving us open to accusations of favouratitsm from families, and other allegations

1. Many staff don't want gifts, quite often the item is unwanted, even edibles, if the box is big, heavy, and we already have too much to eat over christams. It is also embarrassing to have to accept.

1. Many staff worry about the reason for the gift, especially if it seems some pupils and their parents feel pressure to keep up: I've been given gifts in the past that when I know the family can't afford even a couple of pounds, it makes me feel terrible. I've had gifts in the past which I suspected were stolen, which makes me feel worse.

1. I don't really think there is a problem with Christmas cards, but even then, as someone who could easiluy have 300 pupils on my timetable, even then that can get a bit overwelming, not to say meaningless.

1. A very small token, such as one of those tiney boxes from thornton's with just two chocolates in, is a nice way of acknoledging when a teacher has really gone above and beond, for your child, but even that is unnessesary rreally.

Hope I'm not coming across as a scrooge! I love christams, but dread this aspect of it.

As teachers are supposed to be significant role models they should also receive gifts with good grace and a smile whether they want them or not.

I hope the fantastic teacher in her first year of teaching who taught dd in Y3 didn't think the class collection and the Tiffany vase we clubbed together to buy to celebrate her first fantastic year of teaching didn't think it was a horrid gesture in spite of the lovely thank you letter. Nor the teacher who received the umbrella printed with the name of every child and a picture they drew.

I don't thonk I made myself clear about the gift cupboard and the gift bin, the staff have no say, it is council policy, it would be a disiplinary offence not to hand gifts over. Like I saud, the original recipiant, or another member of staff, can buy it back, with a contrubution to school funds, but staff are not allowed to just keep gifts for themselves.

Crab - sorry if i missed it, have you said where this is? UK or not? roughly where?

What council?

I have no idea where that is Crab, but not anywhere I have taught-you take them home.

Ive never bought a teacher a present, they get wages they are doing what they are paid to do why give them a christmas present what makes them so special? Its a job to them that is all.

Bollocks!!!

What is it about people thinking they speak for everyone else on this thread?

FabbyChic, how the fuck do you know if it's just a job to me, or to anyone else, for that matter. Fgs.

It is clear that it isn't a job that you have had FabbyChic and you haven't a clue!

I work in a primary school and the teachers there love getting gifts from the children...even so called 'naff' gifts. It shows they are appreciated and they end up being taken home, just as you'd expect (with the odd exception of mugs or pens, which usually stay in school).

How horrible to imply that every teacher couldn't give a stuff about the gifts kids lovingly chose and wrap for them. And to say that cards are unwelcome is bonkers. All the teachers I work with love their cards. We made ours this year and we baked cookies and decorated them for dd's Y6 teacher. She'll get these in a nice storage box (I bought a pyrex one, cos I know she likes her lasagnas and her kids have just gone to Cambridge) and a bottle of Rioja, just to keep her well fed and topped up over Christmas:)

Come on, Crabapple - where is this council that bans teachers from accepting gifts?

I think that you should name and shame. I love the cards, especially the home made and I find that teachers are very appreciative.

Council policy? Disciplinary offence to keep a gift? Buying back gifts? Contributing to school funds?

Where the fuck do you work?

Yea, come on crabapple, where is this mythical county?

She says she's in London on another thread

You feel like saying 'bah humbug'!

Is Crab even a teacher-maybe she is just a parent who hates giving gifts. Just a thought as I strongly disagree with all 5 of her points-very strongly disagree.

well my dcs teachers will get a small token gift whether they like it or not, because it makes the dcs happy to do so, they love their teachers and i appreciate the time and energy spent with my dcs , it is a job but that doesnt mean i cant appreciate their hard work. If the gifts end up in a gift bin or similar ,so be it, at least teachers will know they are appreciated and children will be happy.

Blimey Crabapple perhaps one of your pupils should buy you a dictionary...

DS's TA is getting a Christmas tree Ornament. Its a felt gingerbread man. DS picked it out himself. I cant wait for her to open it because I want her to know how much we appreciate her.

Sounds like a load of bollocks to me ... My DS teaches and she loves cards and pressies, who doesn't like to feel appreciated?

I'm dyslexic too OP, can't write - can type ... Weird, eh?

MrsPeterDoherty I am also a civil servant and I have received many thanks some with gifts and cards... some just words...but they are always appreciated

JKSLtd, I always lose track of how many staff are in ds's class too, as it sometimes changes and I don't want to miss someone out.
So, I phone the school and ask the friendly receptionist. She never lets me down!

I still have most of the gifts I have been given (non-perishable of course!) over the years. The notatble exception being the lavender roll-on deodorant I was given once. I'm still not sure what exactly the thought was behind that one...
Every present, every card is appreciated, but I do hope that no parent anywhere ever feels guilty because they can't afford to buy something. It's never ever expected. (I hope).