Teacher presents. End of term.

[rackhampearl]

Aibu to ask you teachers what your best and worst present experiences have been from --parents students. Also has anyone got any ideas? I'm thinking of miniature bottles of Hendricks gin and a small can of fever tree in a gift bag for the teachers heavily involved in my DDs school life and some loaf cakes for the staff room. Is that abit naff?

I don’t think it’s naff, but I can’t stand gin or tonic ! I’d shy away from alcohol as you don’t know people’s preferences.

We only did gifts twice when my boys were at school. Once we did an oxfam gift of books and once a whale adoption pack. They were because the teachers had gone over and above with our child. Otherwise we just sent a nice card.

I'm a teacher and a mum.

On both counts a thoughtful message in a card is always best.

Always.

Don't spend money you probably don't have on it.

Alcohol every time

Wine is always welcome!

@Frenchmom I may have to have a rethink, i bet theres actually loads who arent that keen on gin.

In our school, all the parents from the class club together at Christmas and end of term and give a joint present to the teacher and classroom assistants. 30 kids = £300 and it's usually split £150 for the teacher and £75 each for each assistant.
It means we can get something really worthwhile and the teacher doesn't fill her car with 30 Yankee candles at the end of the year.

Teacher and parent here. Wine is always a winner. Doesn't have to be anything fancy at all but always appreciated.
Things I could do without...... after 13 years of teaching, any trinket, ornament, keyring, mug, etc with 'Best Teacher' on.

We do a class collection too.

@ofred. That's actually a brilliant idea and works out cheaper for parents.

We’ve bought costa gift vouchers for the last few years which seem to have gone down well.
I also bake something to take into the staff room a couple of weeks before the end of term at a Christmas and the summer.

Wonder what the teacher who 'went above and beyond' thought about the whale adoption pack. Why did you not just adopt the whale and leave the teacher out of the transaction? Alcohol is always good, but a message in a card is best.

I’m a big fan of gift cards for coffee shop or food outlet. Coffee shops will let you put £5 on and the recipient can spend on a nice coffee and cake 🤤

I'd have loved the g&t gift you described. Am imagining what I'd do if it was, say, whisky and soda (which I wouldn't drink). Be chuffed with the thought and given it to a colleague I expect.

I always think you can't go wrong with wine because if they don't drink it you can always regift it.

(On a side note. Yes cards are obviously lovely to get but presents are really nice too; I don't get the 'oh, no gifts, I really only care about the card' thought - I'm clearly a grabby fucker!)

We always do a class collection and get gift card for the local shopping centre.

Teacher and a mum - a card with your child's honest version of their best part of the year. I love reading the children's view of events + they did it themselves! To be honest I've loved every gift I ever recieved but it's not necessary.

Love the Costa gift voucher idea.

Yes and a collection for 30 kids should be £1 per head not £10.

Gifts are great but I think it is way too much.

In primary it was class collection and then a voucher maybe flowers too. In senior school parents aren’t as involved and teachers are with your child for a year maybe so i left it up to the children to decide if and whom to give a gift to. That gift could be homemade chutney or apple jelly from our own apples; homemade fudge; craft beer; wine; fancy dressings (like fig and chilli balsamic in a nice bottle).

no teachers get paid a good salar for the work they do paid by our taxes.

When dd1 was in reception I did the whole ‘best teacher’ gifts, wine, flowers etc.
Now I give amazon vouchers now.
£10 at Christmas and £10 at the end of the year. Saves the hassle of buying something that They may not like and have a 100 of.

I remember seeing one teacher loading her car the last day of term with several bouquets of flowers and her arms full of chocolates.

I can see why you are not keen on teachers @greenlloon - they utterly failed you...

I'm always pleased with a card - particularly if the sender has written something heartfelt in it. Costa giftcard sounds fab though. That would be very welcome.

Some fab suggestions. It I decide not to go with the gin gift bags, I can keep them for myself. Win, win.

Alcohol only if you know they drink it.
Similar for scarves, toiletries & jewellery.

Most useful gifts I was lucky to receive were...
Desk noteblock saying "A note from Mrs Science" on every page - fab for quick notes to parents or other teachers.
Pashmina in my favourite colour.
Camvas tote bag with pic of my favourite animal on.
Desk accessories themed by a long- running joke we'd had in the class that year.

It's not so common in secondary anyway but I have kept every single thank you (and leaving) card I've ever had. Oh and my form groups always used to indulge me in my love of unusual post-it notes. Presents are always lovely but as PP said a card is more than enough.

We've a few parents who will send in tins of sweets, or bake a cake or two, for the staffroom and these are also well-received!