Teachers presents?

[justalittlelemondrizzle]

I'm trying to keep costs down this Christmas. Not because I'm skint. We're not. But we're far from rich and i'm sick of constantly throwing money away because I feel like I have to.

Anyway, I've made these today for dd1s teachers at school and the guides leaders. I have another 5 to do for dd1s "people". They work out to just over £1 each including the chocolates, cellophane and ribbons. Dds will attach a personal note/poem to the side.
Not bothering with swimming teachers or the people who run the various clubs that I pay through the nose for this year.

Are they a bit naff?

[MistressDeeCee]

Who started this thing of giving teachers presents?! It smacks of wanting your child to be favoured. What's wrong with a card? Parents who are forever thinking of ways to stand out at the school just create rods for other parents' backs. Especially poorer parents who can't afford fancy gifts. It all becomes a lemming-like tradition. I don't think teachers should be allowed to accept gifts anyway.

[RainyApril]

I don’t know, but I gave gifts to my teachers several decades ago. I guess you could look at it as sucking up, or you could look at it as a kind gesture, it depends on your worldview I suppose. In terms of money, a homemade card doesn’t cost anything and shows someone who cares for your child that you’ve noticed, and appreciate, that they do far more than what they are paid for.

[Basecamp21]

These are lovely and whilst I do not routinely give a teacher a gift each to their own.
But my daughter is a teacher and half her gifts go as raffle prizes to charity and a fair few end in the bin. She teaches dance and could get 30+ boxes of chocolate.

[ProfessorCat]

I always buy my DD's teacher a token gift. It needn't break the bank - she chooses it so its usually a keyring, box of chocolates type thing.

As a teacher myself, I know how much of my own salary goes on my class. I'm one of those who really goes above and beyond, so I spend an absolute fortune on the classroom, resources and things like food for hungry children, stickers, prizes etc.

If my DDs's teacher does a quarter of what I do she more than deserves a little something. Nothing to do with being competitive, what a ridiculous comment.

[strangeEvents]

@Louise201710

Money is only a short-term motivator.

No one has said teachers need or deserve gifts but it doesn't hurt and means a lot.

I also give the postman a Christmas tip as he goes above and beyond his salaried job.

[Mammyloveswine]

They're lovely, as a teacher I don't expect gifts at all but it does show that we are thought of. I always get my class a little gift at Christmas and the end of the year.

Also the parent who gave a 100 pound voucher-wowza! I worked in an affluent area once and when I left i got a few 20 quid giftcards which made me go "wow"!