...to think that mass gift-giving to teachers at end of year is tacky?

[MuddlingThrough]

Do teachers really want 30 packets of Cadbury's Roses, bought because the high-street shops have sented out yet another way to turn genuine sentiment into a tacky marketing opportunity? Or should we just say thanks instead?

Last year my dd came home from school and told us that her teacher had told the class that he doesn't like chocolates and prefers red wine instead!!! Needless to say I didn't bother.....

Letter sounds like a lovely idea, Peachy. As does champagne.

My DD's AS level English Lit teacher is leaving her 6th form college - DD bought her
action figures of Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare! She loved them - told DD her life was now complete...
I never knew you could get action figures of literary giants from the past - is this some new way of getting boys interested in reading? - because I think it's doomed to failure...

My little girl writes a 'thank you' letter and draws a little picture on the back instead - surely that's a more personal way of thanking her teacher instead of me spending £5 in M & S or wherever. Teachers do get Christmas presents after all and if they're of the chocolate variety, are doubtless recycled on the 25th of December .

Round here it seems to be all about which mum can stagger the furthest under the weight of pressies not too mention outdoing each other for the "how much money and effort I have put in -I hope you are all looking". Can't be doing with it personally!!! And don't get me started on the cake making for Xmas fair lark!!

I always give something from the Oxfam Unwrapped thing, and get the children to write a letter or draw a picture explaining. Job done.

See I like cake making for the fayre, really enjoy it. Longa ccepted the only mummy comp I will ever win is scummiest, but i do like the fayres etc

It'll be me under the weight of the most rpessies I suspect, but only because I have 3 in there (infants and nursery) and 2 are leaving (one to juniors one HE until LEA decide MS or SN). And with the three two have 1-1 qworkewrs so need to not forget those.

I take a case of wine in to school, then they drink it before their party tnite.

Could be me too, Peachy, 'cos the teachers are fab.

If you want to give your child's teacher a present because you think that they have made a positive difference in your child's life what can be tacky about that? DD has blossomed this year under a wonderful teacher and teaching assistant. She drew them a picture and wrote a few words. Dh and I also wrote them a small note of thanks and gave them a bottle of wine each. I did it as a sign of appreciation. I agree in a sense that gifts can be a reflection of the parents personality, but I don't see why it should be viewed in a negative light if someone wants to do it. I wouldn't think anything less of someone if didn't, it's a personal choice.

no chocs, thanks and a personal card from the child (if they liked the teacher, TA) unless they was awesome......if your child has improved dramatically, why not spoil a good teacher and let the school head know they have good staff.....parents imput is awesome for a school, and why not if your child thinks they are great! ( and u)....advertise this!

I must admit, I always give somehting by the way, because, no matter how much you pay me, I could not do a teachers job, lol....

I asked DS (5) what he thought his teacher would like as a thank you gift, he looked thoughtful for a moment and reply "A Fantastic Four space rocket"

I think we're going to do a homemade card and a bottle of wine for her and the TA because they've done a fab job this year.

OH NO. I never thought I had to buy pressies for the teachers!"!!! DS in in pre school and I might get him to make a christmas card for them but am NOT going down that route with any teacher he ever has unless he wants to.

Though this thread had just reminded me of a great history teacher we had in high school. She was brilliant and everyone loved her- All her students chipped in to buy her a gorilla gram on her last day. She loved it!

I'm with mummyrex on this can't see how someone would describe it as tacky not too. Do you take chocs for the till assistant in Sainsburys ? a bottle of wine for the nurse giving your lo injections
Could see myself stretching to a card or box of biccies for the staff room when lo leaves but can't see anyone gettng much before I'm afraid.

v. good idea amicissima. I much prefer praise to my boss for a good job than a box of chocs. (am not teacher btw)

As a teacher I am not bothered about presents which is just as well as I teach in a secondary school!

I do like to get cards and letters though, show much more thought.

I once got an ornamant of a cat that stunk of fags that I suspect had been nicked from mums mantlepiece.

idlemama would you leave your kids 5 days a week with the assistant in sainburys? does the nurse at the clinic give up her own time to run after school activities? doubt it, somehow

so just to clarify wine and chocs is okay? - dd wants to get reception teacher a nice notebook and pen but probably chocs for TA and for ds's pre school staff were he has only been for 2 months but about to start properly in september so better not give them a reason not to like me

Peachy yes if she did babysitting and I trusted her! Sorry I know that's not your point but people working behind a till have lo too. I suspect the nurse does do many things in her own time if she is like any other public sector worker. My point was that I wouldn't expect to have to give the teacher something for simply doing her job. I think several have alluded on here that that is how they are beginning to feel. If you feel that teacher has gone the extra mile for yours than give them a gift, but then they probably would prefer that you write to their head and said what a good teacher they were. Many teachers on here say that stuff gets chucked/jumbled etc and I was sad to read of the lo whose teacher just chuckedunopeneed envelopes in bin in front of them
Oh and I'm not that idle

that was my LO with the binned cards, you know!

I do think teachers give more than most, I really do- and I have worked in the public sector. ANd the third sector too (charities).

I don't think a gift needs be big and I do think a letter does perfectly well- but I think teachers deserve their thanks more than most, its up to the individual how they demonstrate it. But those who dont want to shouldn't villify those who do choose to, because it is equally their choice. We're not on a good income btw- I'm a student and I get maximum grant (int his day and age!) but we like doing it, we don't spend a fortune, and I think the kids learn a good lesson by giving small gifts and home amde cards- to say thanks and to reciognise that poeple go the extra mile for them regularly

But where did I vilify anyone for giving a gift? Just said I agreed with mummyrex and she didn't vilify anyone either. We just said we wouldn't and felt there were reasons why.
Thought it was you with the binnd cards didn't you think that was sad? Did your boys? It doesn't sit well with it#s good for them ..... does it.
I think your right with the it's good for them bit it's just can't have been easy to explain when their effort is just binned in front of them.

Sorry Peachy have to dash not ignoring you if you reply!

That wasn't to you in particular, just a comment on the polarised nature of thee threads in general. Half the people are saying that those who are giving gifts are sucking up and half are saying that those who dont are being unfair. Thats a shame, nothing moves on and I dont see why we cant justa ccept other poeples choices tbh. Villify was possibly a strong word, couldn't (and can't) think of another- blame ds1 and a sleepless night