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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Presents for teachers

197 replies

6079SmithW · 03/12/2017 20:45

I have two primary school age DDs and I am all out of ideas! Without help their teachers will end up with wine (AGAIN). AIBU to ask for your suggestions please?

OP posts:
Valerrie · 03/12/2017 22:28

I'm a teacher. We don't expect gifts at all so it's wonderful when we get them.

However, check they drink before buying wine. A few of us in my school don't touch alcohol and have tons of useless bottles of wine to find homes for every year, which is difficult when no one you know drinks!

Sandyfeet101 · 03/12/2017 22:34

I’d genuinely love glue sticks! Constantly running out of those. Stationary in general is top of my list, it will always get used.

YouTheCat · 03/12/2017 22:34

Definitely don't do homemade cakes unless you are Jane Asher, or something, and can swear no child went near it. No one wants a tummy bug for Christmas.

TovaGoldCoin · 03/12/2017 22:39

I like chocolate, coffee shop gift cards, nice tea (tye children know how much I love tea) but to be honest, it's the cards and handmade things that children make me I appreciate. I don't expect gifts for doing my job, but most of us go above and beyond so a little recognition is heartwarming Xmas Wink

steff13 · 03/12/2017 22:41

We got my daughter's teacher a Tervis tumbler with her name on it, and we filled it with Lindor truffles.

justkeeponsmiling · 03/12/2017 22:42

Ours is a small village school and I tend to get some nice stuff for the staff room, nice xmas bag filled with schloer, instsnt hot choc powder, hazelnut coffee, caramel coffee, naice m&s biscuit selection, some nuts, naice crisps & assorted nibbles.

sadeyedladyofthelowlands63 · 03/12/2017 23:19

Teacher here, I am happy with no presents, but if you really want to, then wine!

Ilikesweetpeas · 04/12/2017 09:05

Wine is good! Teacher speakingSmileWine

FruitCider · 04/12/2017 16:39

I’m really surprised teachers are allowed to accept gifts given the power imbalance in the relationship. I was thinking of sending a car but now worry my child’s teacher might think I’m a bit tight Confused

AJPTaylor · 04/12/2017 16:48

I am taking dd to the garden centre and letting her choose a tree dec for her teacher and ta. I figure its cheapish, pretty and possibly functional. If they dont want them the can always put them in with school decs for next year

Katinkka · 04/12/2017 17:16

Board pens.

SoozC · 04/12/2017 17:31

My top best presents:

  1. A throw from Accessorize - I use it every day!
  2. A handmade wooden pen holder with my initials on it
  3. A necklace with an 'S' pendant
  4. A set of sticky ninjas (I'm a Reception teacher...!)
  5. Post-it notes in different shapes/sizes/colours
  6. Coloured pens or pencils, any kind really

I am always pleased to receive anything, though, as I know people don't have to get me a gift. It means you're valued by the parent and, trust me, that isn't always the case.

I had an incredibly naughty boy one year who was violent and took a lot of my attention and eventually I got him to a place where he was in class all day every day (rather than with the Headteacher). His mum bought a huge box of chocolates in on the last day and gave them to the office staff in front of me, saying they were "for putting up with him this year". Hmm

SoozC · 04/12/2017 17:33

I meant, when it does happen, you know you're valued. Even just a card means a lot, especially when the child has written it themselves. I definitely don't care if I get presents or not!

SoozC · 04/12/2017 17:34

Apart from that particular year and that particular parent, obviously! Grin

Starlight2345 · 04/12/2017 17:43

My son has bought pen with name engraved on..

Swapped ink for green for marking

Ohyesiam · 04/12/2017 17:44

Prosecco or cava. They can always re gift

Juicyfruitloop · 04/12/2017 17:48

I bought some Flamingo candles. I did not want to assume they drank. I usually get stationary or something decorative. I really like the idea from p.p of a nice Christmas decoration.

TheGoldenBowl · 04/12/2017 18:11

Bit surprised about the pritt stick/board pen suggestions! Pretty, personal stationery - fine. But doesn't the school provide the basic stationery cupboard stuff - or do you have to buy exercise books out of your own pocket??

YouTheCat · 04/12/2017 18:40

Golden, once the budget's gone, it's gone.

Nquartz · 04/12/2017 19:00

I was going to give homemade fudge but after reading this decided on a nice notebook & 6 pritt sticks!

BringOnTheScience · 04/12/2017 19:03

Golden It's a very real issue sadly. I used to regularly buy new coloured pencils as we'd run out by summer term. When Tesco reduced their packs of 24 to £1 I stocked up. I was DT lead, so paid for lots of cookery equipment that we needed. Teachers routinely paid for the ingredients. Etc etc

Ilovefoodtoomuch · 04/12/2017 19:40

Why does everyone always assume wine would be a great gift - I can't stand wine ! It's a shit gift for me but working in Hospitality I have already been gifted 2 bottles of wine, one red and one white, and a bottle of prosecco !! Can't stand any of it !!

Valerrie · 04/12/2017 19:47

Surely people know by now that we buy most of our resources out of our own money?!

trinity0097 · 04/12/2017 19:50

I don’t drink so hate getting wine, especially as I have to pretend to be grateful for something I will get no pleasure from!

Best present was a £100 John Lewis/Waitrose gift card last year from a maths class. Meant I could treat myself to a lovely new duvet cover set for my super king bed 😀

Amazon vouchers are good as you can buy almost anything with them!

I hate all branded teacher stuff, so tacky!

MrsHathaway · 04/12/2017 19:55

My DCs' teachers were recently (apparently extremely) pleased with a recent gift of a stationery hamper containing (iirc):

  • board markers - class set of black for individual whiteboards in KS1
  • board markers - different colours, for teacher on board/displays
  • push pins
  • Blu Tack
  • biros in marking/corrections colours
  • handwriting pens
  • rubbers
  • colouring pencils
  • hair bobbles
  • hair clips
  • packet of knickers and briefs for class age

I've had a teacher come up to me in the playground in the last week of term to apologise for opening her Christmas present early but she could tell it was wine and she really needed it Grin

I can't bring myself to buy Pritt Sticks in bulk because they're eye-wateringly dear, but I do make sure DC1 has one in his pencil case and he's to use that rather than a class one. You'd be loved forever if you bought a class set of 30 but it would also set you back something like £50 which would probably blow the budget.

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