To ask teachers what they would REALLY like

[BasilInTheRatatouille]

End of term gifts - what would teachers/TAs/support staff out there really really like. I don't go over the top with gifts but DS has special needs and a couple of people in the school really look out for him. I usually buy a nice tin or jar and son makes biscuits to put in it. Yay.
Be completely honest, what would a great present be (within a say £20 budget). And what presents have you received that made you thought wahay! or eeeww!

It was pitched to us as that. But honestly not looked into it. Under anti-corruption /bribery. Its new this month. Private school if that makes any difference.

im not a teacher but this year i have crocheted bookmarks for the teacher and TA and got them a nice notebook each.

My dad is a teacher. Last year he received a pen holder stuffed with blue and red biros. Not expensive, but very useful for a teacher!!

It's lovely when parents write a card or a note if they've appreciated their kids' time in my class. I've kept them all.

Booze is always a popular choice.

Anything homemade usually gets eaten by my own kids or DP.

Sorry to say, but mugs/coasters/bags etc usually go to the charity shop as I've got plenty after 20 years of teaching!

John Lewis vouchers would be useless for me as I don't live near one and have never shopped there.

A handwritten card would be great and mean a lot more to us teachers!

(And yes, I've kept every card I've ever received)

Alternatively, you could do what one parent did last year and donate to the charity of choice of the school on behalf of our class.

A nice card - lovely if the child has made it.

I'm really not bothered about presents and tend to regift sweets and choc because my middle-aged spread doesn't need to spread any further!

Honestly, I'd much rather parents said something appreciative.

I asked ds what he would like to give his teacher who has been excellent this year... He wants to give him 'a box of Heroes because he is my hero even though he isn't a real knight in shining armour'
I have told him to write exactly that on the present as it is so ds and I think the teacher will both appreciate the sentiment and also find it very funny!

Ds1 in earlier years has been known to make cards - a beautiful one for the TA he adored, long note inside about how great she was and thanking her but the hated teacher got a card with a square drawn on the outside, 'Mrs [Teachername] from Ds1' witten on the inside and that was it... They both got the same present but I thought the difference in the two cards spoke volumes... I also hadn't found the teacher to be very good so didn't make ds do a better card.

No home made food - we teach your children and know their hygene standards!
No flowers or any thing by alive - we go on holiday immediately and they die!

Wine, chocs, vouchers etc are great.

But no teacher expects anything. It is nice though!

A 'thank you for all your hard work this year'.

Genuinely really appreciate traditional wine and chocs. Otherwise Amazon vouchers are great x

My son gave his teacher £20 cinema voucher. He wrote in the card that he hoped teacher and family had a nice evening out! Ok, it probably went part way to a family outing but I was given the impression it was a great present!

My DD was a TA and used to need a lift home on the last day of term as she was laden down with wonderful gifts, her favorite most treasured items are handmade cards and photos of the pupils having fun.

My two favourite ever presents from pupils have been a pair of earrings, which I have worn nearly every day for the past ten years, and a Waterstones voucher.

I'm always saying this...but...I have kept every card, even not hand made...I also always shed a tear.

I often remember that line in Mary Poppins. "and what would happen to me if I loved every child..." you'd be a blubbering bloody mess thats what!

I teach early years and the most memorable present ever was from a little boy last year who waited for me to arrive (school drop off of my own and I came in later that day). He apparently wouldn't move from his chair to play, hugging the little parcel. When I arrived he came rushing over and delivered my gift "it's for your car!" It was a Best Teacher Keyring.

It wasn't the gift...it was the waiting...(see! blubbering bloody mess!)

It broke...I kept the pieces...sob.

The way I see it, I get paid to do my job. The best presents I have ever had have been heartfelt ones from the kids...an easter egg from one group or a bottle of wine and a notebook from some sixth formers. I really do not expect anything though. I also feel it can become a bit competitive in the staffroom, with people showing off their popularity with parents or students.

I buy them booze. They deserve it after teach up to 30 kids for a year! 😂

Can I ask the teachers who ask for an email to the head how does it help?

Performance reviews I guess.

I think the non eating of homemade biscuits etc is sad and a bit irritatingly squeamish...I would eat them! Unless you have a good allergy or low immunity, you're v unlikely to get sick from biccies/cake.

food allergy

My dd finished preschool today, I got her two ta's a box.of two nice pens (figured they always need pens) and I got her main teacher, who's been amazing, a large Yankee and a notebook.

Honestly I like nothing more than a note from the parent saying that their child has improved, or enjoyed the year, or whatever. That means so much more than chocolates or wine.