Page 2 | Teachers - wine for Christmas?

turfsausage · 2019-12-06T10:07:57+00:00

My kids' classes don't do group gifts, just wondering what teachers like? Wine? Chocolates? Can't have too much of either right?

churchandstate · 06/12/2019 10:43

You’re a good one, OP.

hoxtonbabe · 06/12/2019 10:43

I’m having a bit of a dilemma with this.

My son (Y7) and I really likes his math, and geography teacher, I also get on quite well with the ladies in the reception/office. I’m thinking of a box of chocolates or a fully decorated spiced ginger cake and some non alcoholic mulled wine ( I wouldn’t want them sozzled whist answering the phones, lol) for the office staff as there are about 7 of them.

For the individual teachers was thinking wine with a small box of Godiva chocs. I really can’t think of anything else as it not like in primary when you see the teacher all the time and after some time you get to find out a bit more about them.

IggyAce · 06/12/2019 10:45

Wine has always been gratefully received by my teacher friends.

whyamidoingthis · 06/12/2019 10:46

I'm going against the grain here but I think a child giving a bottle of wine is inappropriate. Fine from an adult but not a child.

My kids went to a small, sociable, primary school. I knew the teachers pretty well so always had a reasonable idea of what they liked. This varied from plants to christmas decorations to homemade chocolates to a money box. We gave nothing to the one teacher who bullied my child, and yes, he admitted to me that he didn't like him so gave him a hard time. No other teacher in the school had an issue with ds so it's not a case of me being blinkered.

If you don't know the teacher, consumables are safest or a voucher for a local coffee shop or similar.

hoxtonbabe · 06/12/2019 10:50

Oh pants I’m reading the updates maybe I won’t bother would wine then, lol

It wouldn’t occur to me to give my son the wine to give the teacher. So far so good all my sons teachers are in certainly up until 4.430 so I’d ask them to meet me at reception and give it myself. They are very good with seeing or calling parents at the last minute as long as they are not teaching or during school core hours.

Sorry OP, not meaning to hijack

Bbq1 · 06/12/2019 10:55

TA here. Parents really don't need to buy presents. A card or a Thank you is more than enough or something made by the child
However, lots of parents do like buying gifts for teaching staff, I did myself when ds was at Primary school. Wine and chocolates are especially popular gifts. I am teetotal but I still really appreciate the thought.

NeedAnExpert · 06/12/2019 10:56

‘Get them gluesticks’ is the kind of thing I only ever see on here. No one I know in real life would dream of it.

I’ve had a conversation with DD’s teacher each year since nursery. Every single one would prefer for parents to donate something for the class rather than give them something at Xmas. We give £5 each and the teacher chooses something for the class. Have bought brio, Lego, bean bags, all sorts over the years. This year the teacher has asked for particular art supplies including glue sticks.

In the summer we have a collection for the teacher. Xmas is for the class. Works for us.

TammyKat · 06/12/2019 10:59

We just do chocolates usually, or a Christmas card

Pinkblueberry · 06/12/2019 10:59

‘Get them gluesticks’ is the kind of thing I only ever see on here. No one I know in real life would dream of it.

It’s good to hear this. Because after reading a few threads like this on MN I was beginning to feel like a very selfish and bad teacher for secretly preferring a proper gift for myself I would find glue sticks addressed to me incredibly patronising - no problem if they’re addressed to the class and bought instead of a gift for me. But someone saying ‘here’s some glue sticks for you, merry Xmas’ as though I only live and breathe teaching and have no life or interests outside of that is a bit naff. Sorry, I’m not that saintly. To me it’s like a husband buying his wife a mop or new kettle for Christmas...

cunningartificer · 06/12/2019 10:59

Crikey, I’m grateful for anything. A card is lovely. Having said that wine or chocolates are great and easily recyclable. Don’t worry about non alcoholic —not many teachers would be desperate enough to drink it straightaway... I personally hate chocolate with nuts in but I’m still very grateful for the thought when I’m given them (and DH is very grateful for the chocolates)! Glue sticks—only on mumsnet.

churchandstate · 06/12/2019 11:01

But someone saying ‘here’s some glue sticks for you, merry Xmas’ as though I only live and breathe teaching and have no life or interests outside of that is a bit naff. Sorry, I’m not that saintly. To me it’s like a husband buying his wife a mop or new kettle for Christmas...

^^

applesauce1 · 06/12/2019 11:05

I’m a teacher. Whiteboard pens and glue sticks are always gratefully received as we never have money in the budget for enough, but after the Christmas term, wine goes down very well too. Pushing excited, shattered children to keep producing better and better work right up until the last day (we keep all lessons as close normal until the last day, when we are a small party in the afternoon) whilst simultaneously squeezing in nativity rehearsals is like running a marathon while 30 children are pulling your clothes shouting, “Miiiissss” at you.
Having said that, there is no better place to spend December than in a primary school. It’s totally worth the stress.

OneDay10 · 06/12/2019 11:09

Wine is so personal really. And I think inappropriate actually. How do you know the teacher consumes alcohol? Why is it given that everyone drinks wine? Especially a cheap bottle of wine.

Pinkblueberry · 06/12/2019 11:10

I’ve had a conversation with DD’s teacher each year since nursery. Every single one would prefer for parents to donate something for the class rather than give them something at Xmas.

Well yeah, I’d obviously say that too because if I said ‘no I want my own present’ that would make me a selfish dick. No teacher is going to say ‘No I want my own present actually thank you very much...’ that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a gift. If you ask a new parent whether they want a pack of nappies or a gift for themselves for Christmas, they’ll obviously say nappies... if you ask a nurse on a children’s ward weather they want a present or some extra toys for the ward they’ll say toys ... the adults will always put the children first when asked. So you don’t ask that. If all your relatives and friends asked you the same about your kids you presumably won’t end up with anything - you’ll appreciate it for the kids of course but at the same time that’s not what Xmas is about really.

LaurieMarlow · 06/12/2019 11:11

But someone saying ‘here’s some glue sticks for you, merry Xmas’ as though I only live and breathe teaching and have no life or interests outside of that is a bit naff. Sorry, I’m not that saintly

Absolutely. I can’t think of any other job where you’re supposed to be delighted about getting basic supplies as a gift. I always give wine or vouchers for teachers.

LaurieMarlow · 06/12/2019 11:13

I also don’t know a single person in real life who would consider wine to be ‘inappropriate’. The over thinking on here sometimes.

OneDay10 · 06/12/2019 11:13

And why is stationery that is meant to be provided seen as a 'gift'. Only on MN. If you got a gift for the 'home' like an appliance would you like it?
I'm sure at the end of a long year a teacher would appreciate something for themselves?,

NeedAnExpert · 06/12/2019 11:21

Well yeah, I’d obviously say that too because if I said ‘no I want my own present’ that would make me a selfish dick. No teacher is going to say ‘No I want my own present actually thank you very much...’ that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a gift.

Read it again. I said I have a conversation. There’s no backing into corners. It’s a small Village school with relatively few teachers who would much rather have more resources for the children than stuff for themselves. They give to a local homeless/women’s aid charity each year rather than buy gifts for each other. Maybe they’re just pragmatic.

Last year’s teacher took the opportunity to tell me that she is very fussy about smellies, hates candles, only drinks one kind of wine which is £15 a bottle and doesn’t eat cake or chocolate of any kind. It was a blessing when she asked for bean bags for the children because nothing any parent bought her was going to be acceptable to her. (I’m not her biggest fan, but still.)

PunkAssMoFo · 06/12/2019 11:21

Sorry to hijack...

Would it be weird to gift a nice copy of a lovely kids book. DC was reading a book that was really inspiring recently. The teacher had not read it, so was thinking of gifting that so that it could be used as a classroom gift, but the teacher may also get some enjoyment. Is it a broad idea?

NeedAnExpert · 06/12/2019 11:22

I'm sure at the end of a long year a teacher would appreciate something for themselves?

The school year started in September. I do give a teacher gift at the end of the school year.

Chanel05 · 06/12/2019 11:34

Teacher here -
Chocolates or a tin of biscuits. I don't drink so for me, a bottle of wine is a gift to regift. A simple thank you and enjoy the break would be a gesture enough to acknowledge we are human.

Windmyonlyfriend · 06/12/2019 11:36

I’ve worked in three different primary schools and I don’t understand the glue sticks/white board pens as a present idea. When ours run out in the classroom we go to the stationery cupboard and get another box. If there’s not many left, we order more.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve paid for a lot of things for the classroom out of my own money when they’ve been topic specific but surely glue and writing implements are fundamental necessities of school life. Are there really teachers out there who are expected to buy their own? Genuinely interested.

NeedAnExpert · 06/12/2019 11:38

DD’s current teacher does a lot of art but said the school secretary was having to buy the cheapest of everything and limit usage due to budget restrictions. She just wants to be able to teach the children using good quality supplies. And we parents are happy to support that (whilst lobbying the local councillor about school funding).

TheElfFellOffTheShelf · 06/12/2019 11:41

I was always happy with chocolate, mugs, pens and notepads and proper Post-It notes (the ones that are actually sticky!) when I was a full time class teacher. I don't drink though so wine was always gratefully received but then given away. I was most happy with a card containing a lovely personal message though I'm all honesty.

TheElfFellOffTheShelf · 06/12/2019 11:42

In not bloody I'm I'm sure my phone wants me to look like an illiterate fool!