Teachers! AIBU to ask

[Deshasafraisy]

What has been the best end of term gift you have ever received?
What would you like to receive?
Thanks.

Skydiving I think the reason people buy teachers gifts rather than other professionals is that teachers devote the whole school year to a group of children, not just the school day but evenings and weekends and many days in the school holidays. I am sure my bank manager won't wake up worrying about whether I might go overdrawn this month, but many teachers will be awake worrying about how to make lessons exciting, how to improve grades, how to help the kids who keep falling out etc etc. That's not to mention the things they spend their own money on for the class.... often including end of year gifts. It's not about the money but how to show your appreciation and hopefully give the teacher a small treat as a thank you.

Stripy horse fair enough teachers work hard get them a thank you present if you want to. But, There are lots of professionals that may lie awake at night worrying about the welfare/progress of those they work with.
A bank manager is a rather ludicrous example.
But I’m thinking midwives social workers doctors nurses, yet there’s not a million threads about what to buy these people who also work hard and often overtime, unpaid, with perhaps more responsibility day to day than a teacher.
I think it’s more about competitive parenting and having to find ‘the perfect gift’ to show your the number 1 mum in a the class.

Wine. Prosecco. More wine.

One of the nicest gifts I got was a voucher for a restaurant. My TA also got the same, so we both went out over the holidays for dinner and drinks!
Also loved getting a big jar full of tea bags, hot choc and biscuits.
An email to the Head full of praise would be a wonderful end of year gift.

I bought flowers for my midwife! And I'd buy a gift for any professional in a caring role if that care was aimed at me or my loved ones.
Examples of people we've bought gifts for over the years: nurses when my nan was in hospital, my grandad's Macmillan nurses, childminders, cleaners, hairdressers, window cleaner, scout leaders...

I think the difference with teachers is just that we're all buying at the same time of year, so it gets discussed.

Skydiving I don't think it's competitive (at least not in the area I live) but if you are spending the same as 30 other parents then it's probably nicer for the teacher to have something other than 30 boxes of celebrations.

I also think the amount teachers spend out of their own pocket (especially with budget cuts) means that if I spend a few pounds on the teacher, the teacher has probably already been spent at least that on my child. It seems fair to repay them.

Point taken about other professionals who don't leave their work at work- although I am sure doctors earn far more than teachers. I also think there are plenty of underpaid careers (especially carers who IMHO are horribly underpaid!) who deserve gifts of gratitude.

Without doubt, my most appreciated gifts have been handwritten cards/letters with a few appreciative sentences from either parent or child.

Children's handmade gifts (depending child's age) have also been a big hit - homemade candles, pottery, bead bracelet with my initials etc.

Best have been book tokens , an Emma Bridgewater mug and a customised Lego figure.
Handmade cards are always a winner , I keep them all .

Candles and gin

I got a lovely bath bomb last year which was nice. I honestly though, really just like the cards.

I did once, jokingly tell my year 7 class (after pupils asked was I wanted) that if anyone was thinking of getting me a present not to bother, just to put £20 in a card. I did say afterwards I didn’t want a single thing, and I was joking.

Next day though, I had a card with a £20 note in. Awkward call home to the parents to apologise and ask them to collect the cash.

Best gift I ever had was a tiny piece of paper ripped out of a child's book with a note scribbled on it to tell me how much he enjoyed my lessons and how much he'd miss me the following year. Because it was sweet and genuine, something that happened in the moment and meant more than most of the other things I have received in my career.

Second best was a card from a girl who'd been a right pain in the arse all year, who told me in her card she hated my subject but liked that I never gave up on her.

Nothing beats a genuine, hand-written letter or card.

I teach in a small, village school and one of the best presents I ever got was 6 free range eggs from a little boys hens. He wrote a message on top of the egg box.

I also love a nice bottle of wine, but am grateful for anything and don't ever expect it.

Last year my DS gave a small bottle of wine, small box of chocs and a bath bomb with a little hand written note to say relax now school is over. Teacher can relax in the bath drinking wine and eating the chocs. Teacher seemed pleased with it.

Can I ask your views on cake? Or possibly fudge? I'm a good baker and most of the school staff know me, so will believe me if I promise it's definitely sanitary and the kids haven't been involved in the making of it...

I was going to do one for the office staff, one for the teacher, one each for TA's and one for the head. Before I make loads of cakes, would you actually want one?

I always give a voucher then they can spend it on something they really want

And if you would, what type of cake?

Before I make loads of cakes, would you actually want one?

Hell yes

No chocolate and nothing that will sit on my desk for years. Flowers, wine or just a handmade card are winners. Tbh nothing is fine too. My school aren't big on it and I never expect anything.

I'd say the home brewed bubbly I received a couple of years ago. I was v early stages of pregnancy so couldn't drink it and when I eventually could it was bloody amazing!
Also a cute personalised mug with my name, kid's name etc.

Not so much chocolates and definitely not flowers. I got stacks! Not enough vases. Bit of a pain faffing around with cutting the stems, all the packaging, the mess etc.
However, the thought behind any gift is always genuinely appreciated, just being honest as you asked.

Going against the grain here..I don’t eat anything my pupils make me. I teach secondary school, I’m really picky about it and I struggle to eat homemade cakes from pupils. I always put them in the staff room where they get demolished bleeds and of course, I’m still grateful xx

I would if I was certain it was a “clean” person. I don’t eat cakes made by children - I’ve seen far too many children pick their nose or scratch their bum then eat/make food (I always tell them it was delicious though).

I’ve had several parents who are professional cake makers who have given me boxes of cupcakes which have been nice!

@herja that was supposed to reply to you btw!

Anything. A card, a present, a thank you....I teach secondary and get Nada.

I was thinking about sending in some (bought) scones, clotted cream and jam for the staff room?

My favourite gifts have been books. Ones that were selected for a particular reason e.g. a football mad child who knew that I shared his interest gave me a book about football to share with my next class. Similarly, I once commented in a reading record something like 'That book sounds exciting, I must look out for it' and received the book at the end of the year.

Other than that, personal cards and notes are lovely.