To wonder how much and how often you give presents to teachers?

[Belladonna666]

The school my child goes to have asked all parents to contribute £10 per child to the teachers communal presents. I don't mind doing this occasionally but they are going to ask for another contribution at the end of the summer of the same amount. This all adds up and we are forever being asked to contribute £ for this and that. I personally think it is more appropriate to give the teachers a present once a year at the end of the summer term. I hardly know my child's new teacher and feel that I would rather contribute at the end of the year.

The problem is that if I don't contribute it will be very obvious as it is a small school with a lot of well off parents for whom £10 is pocket money but we are on a small budget and it is a lot for us to be paying out £40 per year just for communal presents (for both my children when my youngest starts school).

AIBU?

Teacher123, you would find it embarrassing to receive vouchers as an Xmas gift?

it's very OTT - I would hate for the girls to be at a school where parents did this - it's all very well saying 'if you can't afford it' but it's embarrassing for skint parents to have to explain why they can't give.

I buy something at Christmas and end of term - Christmas this year is a small wooden box from Wilkos filled with chocolate coins and a box of bickies for the TA's

The children have two class teachers.

They get 50cts each per b/day, Christmas.

So 2? per year.

When did this mad obsession with giving teachers presents start? I'm 38 and we never gave presents to teachers at Xmas or ends of terms, either at infant, primary or secondary school. We did used to take collections for the bus driver on school trips and we would often organise a collection for a teacher who was leaving, but that's it. I was astonished to find out from my teacher friends that they get given all sorts of presents nowadays. I actually think it's inappropriate.

Saskia I would find it embarrassing to receive vouchers. Maybe not a fiver or £10 from an individual parent, IF they genuine ly thought I'd worked hard with their child- but a large amount from all the parents would make me feel very uncomfortable. If it was for M&S or similar, I would almost certainly spend the vouchers on something nice for the classroom.

Voice - I am 42 - my mum was a teacher - she used to be deluged with presents every Christmas - so much chocolate and this is in the 80's and 90's

So have I got this right? You're expected to give £10 per child / per teacher? As in a £300 present for the teacher?

Good God!!!

However I only give presents to the teachers in the summer term. Seems I'm in the minority though...

Is it the school that have asked or the PTA? Either way I'd opt out ,they'll probably want money at Easter as well for a HUGE egg ! I'm all for getting the teacher something but that's taking the piss.

I hate communal presents. The organiser gets all the credit whilst the rest of the parents are lost in oblivion. I'd spend a few pounds on some chocs and give them personally. Tell the communal organiser you've bought a personal present.

I have had occasional more expensive presents given by individual students who I know very well. I would be mortified to get £300 in vouchers knowing that parents were made to feel that they HAD to contribute.

£0
HTH

Sorry, should have been clearer. It is not the school asking for money but the parents group.

nothing here either.

I think they are going to pool all the money from all the parents and buy presents for all the teachers, teaching staff, head teacher, janitor etc. Because there is quite a lot of staff I guess they think they need everyone to make a big contribution so the pool is big enough. This is what they did last year and gave them all presents in Christmas assembly (I think they gave them a card and vouchers each).

i am guessing the school is private? my dd goes to a state school, i can't imagine them doing that there, they would get ROASTED :). i give a small box of chocolates at christmas as a token thank you and probably again at the end of the summer, that or something similar. i see certain mothers, you know the ones, who do competative buying but i think they make a fool of themselves tbh. i could afford to do (slightly) more but i don't think it is necessary, it's not going to exactly make the teacher treat your child any better or think any more of them for it is it..........

The parents' group suggested this? I can't think which is worse. Me thinking it was the someone in school or the parents' group.

Whoever suggested it is way out of order.

No, it's a normal state school.

bitofcheese mine are at private and there is no such thing there. Everyone gives what they want. Some come with bottles of Moët and bags of stuff from selfridges but most buy a small token present, something homemade or zilch.

I'm a teacher (part time since having my dd and the reason I'm mumsnetting through the day). I always really, really appreciate anything I am given by a parent. It means a lot to me that they have thought enough of what I have done to go out of their way to buy a gift! However, organising a 'collection' is just wrong! I get paid a salary for doing my job just like any other working person and that is enough (in fact you are already saying thank you to me for doing my job by paying your taxes!) [bgrin]

Well, that gives me pause that teachers don't seem to like it. I've generally given generously to the collection because the teachers are underpaid, but I've always worried that it seemed a bit patronizing.

That being said, the "collection" concept seems here to stay.

It seems way over the top. I can understand a child bringing in a box of sweets or a scented candle or something for their teacher. But an organised collection to cover everyone from the Janitor to the head teacher is ridiculous.

Our class reps always organise the present at christmas. Normally they ask for money £5-£10, to get present/vouchers or whatever, but last year we all made a lovely snowfalke thing ,and the reps put them altogteher. Nice. I don't mind being asked. If i did mind, I wouldn't contribute. I don't understand why this is such an issue.

Our £5 or so covers the teacher and the ta's.

That is ridiculous and I'd probably not do it on principle.

I think an end of year present is a nice touch, and what it is and how much I'd spend depends on the teacher tbh.

Christmas gifts not a priority. DD's teacher had a special birthday recently and she took in a card and a little cake, and few other kids took in chocs. I may do something similar for Christmas if I have the time and inclination as I like this teacher and we kind of know her out of school too, but I certainly don't feel duty bound to do it and if I don't get the opportunity to sort something out she'll just get a card like everyone else.

If its the parents association asking if you want to contribute, then that's very different and I don't have a problem with it at all. You can say no if you want to.

It's actually quite convenient for someone else to organise the thank you to teachers sometimes! It means I don't have to worry about finding something cheap but nice.