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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask what makes a good teacher's gift

84 replies

Tangerineandturquoise · 30/06/2015 11:05

and TA and head of lower school
DS is moving up next year and his teacher and the head of lower school have been great for him, they have really helped him to shine. He hasn't been at the school long.
The class aren't doing a joint gift which is a shame
I don't want to be over the top or underwhelming- I know they are amazing because they love doing what they do- I just want something to say Thank You.
So what are you all doing-or what do the teachers want or not want

OP posts:

BathshebaDarkstone · 01/07/2015 12:10

Soup

windchime · 01/07/2015 12:26

Why buy teachers a gift when they get paid for what they do and are about to enjoy six weeks PAID leave. I am baffled.

CSIJanner · 01/07/2015 12:33

Bugger - so if DC decorate the glass around a smelly candle, does that mean a no no? Think sequins, flowers and a drawn picture that I've helped to glue gun on...

SoupDragon · 01/07/2015 12:51

Why buy teachers a gift when they get paid for what they do and are about to enjoy six weeks PAID leave. I am baffled.

because it is a nice thing to do. I am baffled that you can't understand this.
I thought teachers were actually only paid for X days but it is physically paid over the 12 months of the year.

LL12 · 01/07/2015 12:52

I have always stayed away from getting my children to make/decorate things for their children after reading a thread on here a few years ago.
A few teachers all said that whilst is was nice to be give gifts from pupils their own children made them little decorated pots, mugs, picture frames etc so they wanted to treasure and display those things instead which I totally understood.
They also said they had nowhere to keep lots of little pots etc

Cumbrae · 01/07/2015 12:52

wind there is no obligation to buy the teachers a gift. Feel free not to.

It's a very old tradition though.

VacantExpression · 01/07/2015 13:16

Because they have been an important part of my child's life for a long time (a year is a long time to a child) and their input has been appreciated windchime.

FWIW My children also "reward" other people. The cashier they see regularly at the supermarket who waits patiently whilst my younger children count out their change to make the right money (we go at quiet times!) get a nice picture at Christmas. The lady in the school uniform suppliers who went above and beyond to help a disabled child trying on their first senior school uniform got a thank you and an email to her boss. It doesn't hurt to show people they are appreciated and it doesn't matter what it costs or whether they are paid for it in other ways.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/07/2015 13:16

By the same argument, windchime, why should people buy chocolates for the ward staff when they've been in hospital?

I think most teachers go above and beyond the call of duty, and they can have such an impact on a child's life that it feels right to thank them with a gift or card.

But it's not compulsory, and I am sure no teacher would want anyone to feel they had to get them a gift.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/07/2015 13:17

I have just remembered - I have a friend who is a teacher - his name is Terry, so he gets a lot of chocolate oranges!

derxa · 01/07/2015 13:22

Although it's not obligatory to buy a gift or card it's always appreciated whatever it is. Teachers do more than just convey information. They are in loco parentis for quite a long period of time in a child's life. Believe me unless the relationship has been a disaster, the child get's a lot of pleasure from handing over a card or present.

issynoho · 01/07/2015 13:32

I got this idea off here - cheap canvas bag, trashy magazine, gin in a tin, chocs, crisps, even a cheap beach towel - a little relaxing holiday kit.

Went down v well last year.

EsmereldaPB · 01/07/2015 13:47

DS has a 1:1 TA and last year we made her a pimms set - I got a canvas bag and stirrer from the pimms website, then filled with a bottle of pimms, jug (came free with bottle but I would've bought one), bottle of lemonade, lemon, orange, cucumber, punnet of strawberries, mint plant and a box of ice cube bags. We know the head quite well so did check that she liked pimms before we went ahead.

derxa · 01/07/2015 14:25

gets not get's

mmgirish · 01/07/2015 15:14

I buy my son's teacher and TA gifts because they spend more time with him than I do during the week. I think they do a great job so I like to send in a token of appreciation. I'm a teacher myself so receive lots of lovely cards and gifts too.

HamishBamish · 01/07/2015 15:32

DS made some bookmarks for his teachers last year. Some are still in use a year later! My mum was a teacher and she still has some bits and pieces which were made for her by her pupils. That's what she treasures the most.

Figmentofmyimagination · 01/07/2015 16:50

Many years ago at my DDs school (to age 7), the children used to get a laminated A4 special award from the teacher for doing someone particularly great, with details of the achievement, the date and signature.
The best teacher present we did was in something like year 1 and was a mocked up laminated special award from DD to the teacher, using the same coloured card, saying something like "speshal award for teeching me to reed".
Ever since then we've only managed alcohol or chocolates though, or sometimes books.

hunibuni · 01/07/2015 17:06

I made DDs teacher a superhero cushion because they bonded over their love of comics. He has been a tower of strength for her in a year where both DSD1&2 have been in and out of hospital for serious health issues,so knowing that he was keeping an eye on her (above and beyond ) very reassuring

5Foot5 · 01/07/2015 17:32

We sent in a jar of homemade lemon curd once. I was making some anyway so I got DD to help me and write the labels in her best writing. The teacher seemed quite pleased.

Original poster

Tangerineandturquoise · 01/07/2015 17:36

Wind-this teacher gets paid to get my son to progress in reading writing maths- she gets paid to teach him science history, french and spellings, she gets paid to keep order in the classroom.
His old teacher got paid for that- but this one has taught him to believe in himself-and that his hard work does pay off. She has helped him to make friends and she has made it a pleasure for him to go to school everyday.

OP posts:

Spog · 01/07/2015 17:40

wine.

hollyisalovelyname · 01/07/2015 17:43

I give vouchers. Then they can choose their own gift.

GoblinLittleOwl · 01/07/2015 17:47

Definitely a card containing your written thanks for a good year. They really cheer you up when you are having a bad day.
Nice notebooks, post-its, pens.
book tokens, boots tokens
small luxuries: I still have the Liberty print handkerchief and sunglasses case I was given years ago.
And: the tradescantia plant, home grown in a decorated margarine tub, I was given it in 1987 and it is still alive!Thank you, Rachael.

LosingNemo · 01/07/2015 18:01

I teach older children, we don't get any where near as many gifts as the primary teachers (fair enough - we don't see them as much), so personally I'd be thrilled with any of these gifts! I love issynoho's idea - I might hand this out to parents of my new tutor group
I've said this before on another thread - the things that have meant the most have been the cards and letters. These I treasure forever.

Don't be too put off by those saying not to make stuff - the sentiment and effort will be much appreciated. I once sobbed like a baby when the parent of a student I worked closely with knitted a blanket and a cardigan for my baby when I went off on maternity leave.

CumberCookie · 01/07/2015 18:03

WINE

Original poster

Tangerineandturquoise · 02/07/2015 12:33

So all I have to do really is find out if she likes wine or chocolates
Flowers vs plants-pens vs notebooks

OP posts:

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