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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask what you would like as a thank you gift for a teacher?

27 replies

Stayinin · 14/07/2019 19:59

I've two DC one with special needs and I want to give a gift/ token to the teachers but not sure what would actually be appreciated? What would you want? E.g homemade gifts or wine chocs etc. Any thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:

allhalekale · 14/07/2019 20:01

My sister in law is a teacher and the gift I’ve seeb her most excited by was amazon vouchers. Sounds dull but it meant she could get all sorts she’d had her eye on.

gotmychocolateimgood · 14/07/2019 20:02

I'm a teacher. Nothing is expected. A nice card is lovely. Coffee shop voucher or Waterstones voucher for a small amount maybe. Flowers can be wasted if the teacher goes on holiday straight away. Best teacher stuff eg mug, ornament is less highly rated here although the thought is nice.

Grumpbum123 · 14/07/2019 20:04

I’ve bought a chillys water bottle

BeagleMomma · 14/07/2019 20:04

Absolutely agree with amazon vouchers or book vouchers - is spend it on things for my classroom so it would be payed back into my children :) but I have kept things from past years such as little drawings of me and handwritten cards are my favourite. One year a child drew a picture of me and put it in a lovely frame, and I still have it on my chest of drawers in my bedroom!

ATrainSeat · 14/07/2019 20:04

I came on to say Amazon voucher!!

butterflywings37 · 14/07/2019 20:04

My most treasured gift, that I still have 12 years later is a hand decorated glass that a student decorated for me with a message on.
I also have a card still one of my students made for me about 10 years ago.

Nothing 'best teacher' from a shop.

I do like candles though.... but again not 'best teacher' ones

PurpleDaisies · 14/07/2019 20:05

Card with a proper message

FudgeBrownie2019 · 14/07/2019 20:06

I teach and the absolute nicest things I've ever had were the thoughtful notes from parents or children. I keep them all.

Generally I get a lot of prosecco and chocolates, which are obviously always welcome, and the odd mug or pencil case.

Wait4nothing · 14/07/2019 20:07

I had a best teacher notebook - the only best teacher item I have ever used but a notebook is always needed!
Children writing any cards is a biggie in my book (even if it’s just their name - even if you need to scribe below) it’s sad getting a gift that the child has clearly had nothing to do with (though still appreciate the parents effort! But the child is the one I put in the extra work in for not their parents!)
Gifts are really not necessary- certainly if money is tight!

TheJellyBabyMadeMeDoIt · 14/07/2019 20:08

I should have asked here, didn't think. I wanted to avoid the chocolate and wine side of things as imagine they'll be snowed under with them.

I've gone for a little "relaxation pack" with some fancy bath salts, a little scented candle, a face mask and some nice hand cream.

I don't usually buy presents for teachers but DS, 6, has had 2 fab teachers this year so just wanted to show appreciation.

I like the idea of a gift card though, will probably do that next year instead.

pastapestoparmesan · 14/07/2019 20:09

Nothing, or a coffee shop voucher. In that order.

Witchtower · 14/07/2019 20:09

I quite like a mug.

Croprotationinthe14thcentury · 14/07/2019 20:09

I always get a m&s voucher for my dd's teacher. Boring but useful!

DaisyDando · 14/07/2019 20:12

I teach in a school where parents buy vouchers jointly. It’s lovely and hugely appreciated.
But I can’t help but miss the boxes of chocolates and bits of tat from when I was a young teacher. I never get best teacher mugs these days.
I love being bought plants and flowers so I’m a bit boring now. I’ve still got a vase that a child gave me 20 years ago and it brings me joy.
I’m not sure what to buy for my DS’s teachers this year, so might go for big tins of biscuits. Because you always need biscuits.

Original poster

Stayinin · 14/07/2019 20:13

Thanks for the responses some great ideas, do teachers really not expect gifts?? Its just my DC1 can be quite full on and the teachers go above and beyond so I feel I should repay them?

OP posts:

DaisyDando · 14/07/2019 20:14

I must just add that bit about not expecting presents etc to my post, soz.

PurpleDaisies · 14/07/2019 20:16

I really don’t like getting gifts because sometimes students whose grown ups don’t buy them get upset that they haven’t got anything to give me (when I don’t expect it). I also don’t like how it often becomes competitive or puts pressure on people to spend money they don’t have.

I really love cards with personal messages. I keep all those. Even better, write a letter to the head as well saying the teacher has gone above and beyond!

Nix32 · 14/07/2019 20:23

I get gifts from about 25% of the class. They're appreciated very much, but so are the verbal thank yous. I don't think badly of anyone for not getting a gift.

Pipandmum · 14/07/2019 20:24

My daughter made fudge one year for all her teachers. My son gave his head of year a bottle of special vodka. Otherwise it has usually been a class collection and a voucher. I have bought artisan beer for the guys and expensive salad dressing /dips for the women in the past. Also gave them all homemade jam/chutney fro our own apples for Xmas one year...

10storeylovesong · 14/07/2019 20:26

My sons teacher has been fab this year and has really promoted his passion for reading. He's moving abroad straight after the term finishes to teach so I didn't want to get anything bulky. I've got him a metal bookmark engraved with his name, my son's name, the year and "thanks for being part of my story". I hope he doesn't think it's too cheesy!

SparklesandFlowers · 14/07/2019 20:27

A card with a heartfelt message is always good. I love to look through mine when I'm feeling down, it really raises the spirits! (Not that I have loads, but I put them in my memory box so lots of happy memories to flick through.)

butterflywings37 · 14/07/2019 20:45

Definitely do not expect gifts and would be mortified if someone had bought me a gift as they felt they 'had' to,

Russell19 · 14/07/2019 20:56

I like vouchers, next etc but my favourite gifts are the thoughtful home made ones. I had a beaded keyring with my name on it last year and welled up because the child said they spent all night making it

clairedelalune · 14/07/2019 21:11

I don't expect anything but if I do receive anything, wine is very welcome.

JennyBlueWren · 14/07/2019 21:36

A proper thank you note saying what they have done well. Gives you something to turn to when you're feeling down or had a bad day.

What would your children like to get or make for their teachers? I've had some lovely homemade presents (a child this year made me a book about me!) and I've got some good books which children thought I would like.

Best bought gifts (IMO): pretty stationary -I love notebooks with matching pens! Books (get child to make a bookmark) to enjoy over the summer or add to their classroom collection.

Avoid: ornaments -especially with the teacher's name on them as they can't be given away to charity shops (I have a large glittery wine glass with my name mispelt). Anything "Best teacher".

Caution: candles, wine, chocolate. I eat the latter and DH helps me. The others are regifted. But I'm grateful for the thought. Flowers -they might be going away right at the beginning of the holiday (I wasn't this year and so got to enjoy two beautiful bouquets). Cakes -got too many cupcakes this year and even with DH and DC help couldn't eat them all. Some teachers are funny about homebaking too (especially if children helped) but I am not at all fussy. Got some great lemon curd one year!

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