15 presents - childminders, teachers, TA's

[fia101]

I am thoroughly appreciative of everything my childminders, after schools club helpers, pre school teachers and primary teachers and assistants all do for my kids but I've calculated I need 15 presents.

Even a box of ms biscuits and wine each will set me back over £130.

It doesn’t need to cost that much. Buy them all a terrys choc orange.

Biscuits OR wine... no need for both.

Or just a note of thanks in a card, as that's what they truly value.

Why not just write/make a nice card to each of them?

Cost me about £5 for 15, took the kids an afternoon to make and were very much appreciated!

We aren’t doing cards or gifts for teachers. We never have. They have a nice gift at the end of the year.

I don’t think they expect them (maybe a card - but we aren’t doing cards at all) and if they did I’m not sure how I’d feel about that.

You don't need to buy any of them anything - I wouldn't

Send a box of biscuits/chocolate or tea/coffee/snacks to the whole of the staff and then a card to the individual teachers/helpers.

When did this buying presents for teachers thing start? Didn't happen in the 70s and 80s! Just give them a card and a big thank you. Or use the money you would've spent on gifts on a charity donation instead.

£1 box of maltesers from Poundland will do. But seriously when mine were in primary I used to give the class teacher a nominal Oxfam present & the TA chocs but nothing else.

Between ds1&2 I have bought for 11 teachers, TA, S.A.L.T, bus assistants. I have got them a Christmas decoration (£2) and some of them little lindt chocolates. It's more of a token with a message in a card thanking them.

Please don't feel you have to buy the teachers gifts. I never expect anything. I am sure we all do our jobs as well as we possibly can, but we get paid for it. Extras, although lovely, are not expected at all.

Mum was a teacher in the 80s and got gifts - not that new

I got plonk for the cm and head teacher (had a rough year with dd3 being very ill and he’s been lovely) and a plant £3 Morrison’s for TA and teacher - not a huge amount

If I had that many to buy for OP I’d get each class some celebrations or some such or make bickies

I got pens (pack of 3 nicely patterned ones for £1 in Wilkinson’s) and put a pen in each card.

A handmade card from the kids per person you feel you need to thank, plus a big box of biscuits to share in the staff room should do the trick.

Absolutely agree that a thoughtfully worded card is all that you need to do.

Decent teachers expect nothing. However, if you are getting presents, head to Home Bargains. You can get cheap chocolate or a lovely smelling Christmas candle for 49p.

I was a teacher in the 80s and had gifts too.

But as many people have said, the best present is a card or note of thanks, with a copy to the Head. That makes you feel really appreciated! I once had a fridge magnet with a cheesy sentimen, but I absolutely loved it!

I'm not spending sing that on my kids put together! You really don't need to buy all that, people appreciate a nice homemade card or a few mince pies (bake them yourself, even cheaper) just as much. I'm not buying gifts for teachers but they'll get a nicely written home made card from DS each.

The loveliest thing I received from a pupil this year was a "sweet cone" except it was handmade, chocolate with some red stuff at the bottom and googly eyes with a brown pipe cleaner which looked like Rudolph! He made one for all the teachers and it couldn't have cost more than £1.

I have also received a "proper gift" which is a large glass jar candle holder. I could keep fish in it, it's so big! As nice as it is, it really wasn't necessary. A little bit of chocolate or even a picture is lovely. I don't expect to be gifted at Christmas. It's an enormous pressure for families that just isn't needed. Keep your cash and perhaps buy a box of quality street for the staff to share? That way the team can benefit. I always feel a bit sorry for our TAs who don't get gifts as often but work their socks off. If we get a tub of chocolates it's just a lovely treat for us all.

The teachers/tas won't like you more if you get them an expensive gift, and probably won't notice if you don't.

Get something nice for the childminder though.

Please don’t spend your money. Just send cards. I am a teacher - we appreciate being appreciated but don’t need presents. If you feel you must do the present thing, then a communal tin of Celebrations for the staffroom is great.

I am always horrified by the amount spent on this sort of thing. Honestly, we can buy our own wine and biscuits - a card is perfect.

I always get a small gift for teachers. I appreciate the hard work they do. It's never more than a small box of Roses though, £2 tops!

Honestly?

Don't.

No one will mind and if they do- tough.