Page 8 | Who does NOT get teachers end of term gifts?

louise5754 · 2019-07-11T19:40:10+00:00

My DH always says it's pathetic buying gifts for teachers. I've done it every July and Christmas for both my kids for the past 5 years. Often buying for the teacher and 3-4 teaching assistants. He said he never did this and only the suck up kids do it. I just thought it was what you do.

Sleepyquest · 12/07/2019 06:41

Some of you sound so mean. Your child's teacher has spent a whole year encouraging your child and helping them grow, possibly spending more time with them than you have! A small gift of appreciation would probably mean so much to them and wouldn't be much effort for you!

VioletDaisies · 12/07/2019 06:46

We don't do gifts. We do make cards for each teacher/ta though, DC writes a personal message inside.

BoneyBackJefferson · 12/07/2019 06:47

I have a box of cards from pupils/parents thanking me, I never throw cups/mugs away, although some do stay at school.
I never expect presents.

But you think from some of these threads that not buying a teacher a present was strange when it is in fact the norm.

BelindasGleeTeam · 12/07/2019 06:47

Honestly, as a teacher I expect nothing.

Granted, I'm secondary so rarely do get anything but when I do it's the cards and letters that are the most valuable.

I kept mine. They're on my noticeboard and when year 9 have just about reduced me to tears I have them as a reminder why I do my job and that it's worthwhile to keep on keeping on with them.

Best 'gift' I ever got? A pen pot with some beautiful erasable highlighters. Why? Because my gorgeous Yr11 class knew I'm a bit of a stationery addict and clubbed together to get them. Still have the pot on my desk.

No need for lots of wine.

Needtomovemore · 12/07/2019 06:48

@Sleepyquest they’re PAID to do it, same as I’m paid to do mine and I don’t get 30 mugs/pot plants/handmade pieces of crap at the end of year.

BelindasGleeTeam · 12/07/2019 06:53

No teacher ever expects a gift.

I do take in a box of cakes/biccies for the staffroom so they get shared with everyone too. Biscuits are really good as they can be saved until autumn term when the cakes have all gone.

Seahorseshoe · 12/07/2019 06:59

I did for the teacher. Once DC got to secondary school, we didn't do it again.

That being said, I have a severely disabled son who goes to a SN school. I buy everyone a present because they go above and beyond for my challenging DS (teenager, still in nappies, non verbal and violent when anxious). They are amazing.

If I ever won the lottery, they'd be my first port of call when it came to treating folk. They genuinely care about him, way more than his extended family members do, who couldn't give a shiny shit about him.

that25cUKHeatwaveof2019 · 12/07/2019 07:03

Needtomovemore
yes they are PAID to to it, we don't expect them to do it for free
Why should that stop anyone giving a gift as a thank you is beyond me.

Many businesses give a Christmas gift or thank you gifts to their employees, many clients do the same. Never bought flowers to thank someone, never bought chocolate or a bottle because you were grateful? No one should force you to join in, but why does it bother if others do?

Ski4130 · 12/07/2019 07:08

We give £10 to the class rep at the start of the year, and they do the Christmas and end of year presents for the teacher and any TAs. It works so much better for us, they get a decent present and aren’t lumbered with 30 bottles of wine/boxes of chocs, and we don’t have to go out and sort out presents individually.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 12/07/2019 07:09

Nope, I always assumed it was just the arselicky mums that did this to impress other mums and get their dc in teachers good books.

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 12/07/2019 07:12

Do you also whinge when teachers and TA's buy gifts for your children at the end of the year? Because many of them do.. but I suppose that's because arselicky,sheep ,show offs or whatever.

IceRebel · 12/07/2019 07:13

and get their dc in teachers good books.

What would be the point of this? If they give a teacher a gift, it's usually because they're leaving that class and moving to another teacher. So if getting in the good books were even a thing, it isn't in any school i've ever worked in- then surely buying a gift at the start of the year makes more sense.

Anotherusefulname · 12/07/2019 07:14

I am a teaching assistant, I always buy for my children's teachers just like my mum always bought for mine.
I would prefer if parents didn't buy things for me, I don't drink so have a cupboard full of wine, I am lactose intolerant so chocolate gives me terrible stomachache, handmade crap goes in the bin at school (for most of us after we have had a laugh in the staffroom).
If you really want to say thank you then send an email and CC the headteacher, I appreciate the sentiment and don't clutter up my house.

that25cUKHeatwaveof2019 · 12/07/2019 07:16

to impress other mums and get their dc in teachers good books.

bloody show-off with their £10 gift!
sucking up to teachers on the very last day they will be with their kids!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 12/07/2019 07:17

I've only ever known a gift to be thrown away once and it was a bonkers teacher who threw away chocolate.all the rest of the staff were shocked and disgusted and they were rescued from the bin and shared out.
Tha teachr left a few years ago and people still say" do you remember when that woman threw gifts away?"

SundaeMorning · 12/07/2019 07:19

When my mum was a teacher in the 70s she used to get a present from nearly everyone and was always really touched that people were so appreciative and thoughtful. Just a little something...wine, bath salts, whatever. Of course, even then, there were the skinflints who didn't even get a card. runs

roundtable · 12/07/2019 07:21

I buy presents for teachers and tas. And I tip people/ give them little gifts like chocolate to say thank you or as a pick me up. I also buy my own tas a gift to say thank you.

One of my dc' s children deserves more than I can afford this year. Class of children who most of them never hear the word no outside of school and angry parents that storm up to have a word about their precious dc being told off (for things like telling the teacher to fuck off/ hitting adults or other children etc). Imagine having to get up each working day wondering if you're going to be abused by an adult or a child that day. It's shocking.

If you don't want to buy presents that's fine but seems disproportionate to be quite so angry about something so trivial (only a few posters). Nobody is forcing you.

SundaeMorning · 12/07/2019 07:21

"Anotherusefulname

I am a teaching assistant, I always buy for my children's teachers just like my mum always bought for mine.
I would prefer if parents didn't buy things for me, I don't drink so have a cupboard full of wine, I am lactose intolerant so chocolate gives me terrible stomachache, handmade crap goes in the bin at school (for most of us after we have had a laugh in the staffroom).
If you really want to say thank you then send an email and CC the headteacher, I appreciate the sentiment and don't clutter up my house".

You're all heart!

Bouncebacker · 12/07/2019 07:22

I do for teachers that I want to thank. It is the convention at my child’s (state) school but I would do it anyway - I like to show my appreciation for a job well done, I give Christmas biscuits to the postman because he is really friendly and puts my parcels where I ask him to - I guess I’m a ‘saying thank you with a gift type of person’. I feel appreciated and loved when someone makes a nice gesture for me so I like to show kindness and appreciation where I can. Yes, teachers have chosen to be teachers, but it’s a really hard job, under paid for the stress and responsibility that they have and there are some really bad teachers - I know, we have had them! - so the good ones, those that help my son to learn, those who treat everyone fairly, those that don’t loose their temper with kids with additional needs, those that arrange mindfulness classes for their kids, or take them out to meet a class members new puppy, or help them raise money for a charity by sleeping over at school, or take the time to follow up on each child’s interests and make them part of the lesson, even those who say hello and know who I am - those teachers don’t have to
Do those things because plenty don’t, but if they do, I want to say thank you. And I write a nice card, as does my child, and then we give some John Lewis vouchers so they can buy themselves a treat

AlecOrAlonzo · 12/07/2019 07:24

I don't. I get them to do a card for their teacher because that's a nice thing to do. The teacher doesn't want tons of presents but a thank you is appreciated.

Anotherusefulname · 12/07/2019 07:25

sundaeMorning
Just being honest, I love my job, I love the kids I work with. Don't need piles of crap

FancyACarrot · 12/07/2019 07:29

No I didn't.

Longdistance · 12/07/2019 07:33

I’m a school secretary at a prep school. If the parents ask for any time off midterm I’m your woman, though headmaster will ok or not depending on the calendar of events.
I got lots of gifts from chocolates to flowers, wine and jewellery. It’s nice to feel appreciated by the parents as I organise them too if they’ve got an event wrong or their dc has forgotten something. Lucky I’m organised

rugbychick1 · 12/07/2019 07:37

We don't, only because DD doesn't want to

sparkles07 · 12/07/2019 07:38

It's very much the done thing at my children's school. The teachers get showered in chocolate, wine, flowers etc.
I normally give a £5 costa gift card. Something to treat themselves to in the 6 week holiday.
This year, my daughter's teacher has been awful so I'm not getting him anything, and my sons teacher is also his Godmother so will give her something extra.