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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider NOT giving teacher xmas presents

177 replies

LessIsNotMore · 17/12/2019 16:39

Between the three dc, there are about 7-8 teachers and TAs. There is also the school office, club leaders etc etc.

AIBU to either NOT give any of them presents or to JUST give them chocolate?

They will all get xmas cards.

OP posts:
aveenos · 17/12/2019 16:41

chocolate is a teacher present. What present did you have in mind if not choc (or something like that)? Confused

Original poster
LessIsNotMore · 17/12/2019 16:42

People around here give all sorts, cups, fancy pen sets or stationary, wine, toiletries, vouchers.

OP posts:
Dommina · 17/12/2019 16:42

Chocolate is a present... Xmas Hmm

Bunnylady53 · 17/12/2019 16:43

I just can’t afford to buy teacher/TA/ office staff presents this year so it’s cards only. You can only do so much.

purpleme12 · 17/12/2019 16:43

Erm I'm not giving a present

Breastfeedingworries · 17/12/2019 16:44

Wouldn’t you just wouldn’t buy the form teacher? Or favourite teacher? Confused x

Original poster
LessIsNotMore · 17/12/2019 16:44

Two votes for chocolate. I don't mind giving chocolate, it's straightforward and affordable.

I thought somehow that teachers hated getting chocolate.

OP posts:
UtuNorantiPralatongsThirdEye · 17/12/2019 16:44

Ive ever given a Xmas present to teachers, I don't understand why people do tbh.
I gave the brownie leader a gift as she doesn't get paid and does it all from her own time.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 17/12/2019 16:45

My kids go to a really small school so all the staff know all the kids and there is lots of mixing around so I never do individual presents and instead do a staff room happier with nice tea and coffee and/or make a donation to school funds.

GreenTulips · 17/12/2019 16:45

Everyone’s different
Most teachers don’t care

Why not cakes or chocolates fro the staff room and thank all staff? That will include dinner ladies the cleaner and caretaker. All help your children during the day

SallyLovesCheese · 17/12/2019 16:46

I wouldn't worry. As a teacher I'm always grateful for presents but don't expect them and am never miffed when parents don't buy them for me. Maybe a card if you want to say thank you but I don't think most teachers expect anything.

eatsleeplaugh · 17/12/2019 16:46

As a teacher, I honestly don't expect presents. I am aware that Christmas can be a tough time for some families. A simple card or drawing is more than enough!! Don't stress!

recrudescence · 17/12/2019 16:47

Presents for teachers are absolutely not necessary IMO. We really don’t expect to receive them. A card - especially one written or made by the child - is always lovely. Don’t give it another thought.

AG29 · 17/12/2019 16:47

I’m not giving gifts this year. I normally do but now my youngest is in school it will be 7-8 presents too. We’ve had to tighten the budget this year. I will get Dc to give them a nice card. I don’t think they expect it and probably get sick of mugs, chocs, biscuits etc. I will get gifts at the end of the school year...

Dinnertime22 · 17/12/2019 16:49

A card that the children make is sufficient really. Parents ask for £10 per teacher per class and now one for the ta staff has just started. That would work out at £30.00 for me. Nope.

Drum2018 · 17/12/2019 16:49

We don't do it as the school tells parents not to.

MyHairNeedsASnip · 17/12/2019 16:50

I'd usually just get chocolate or biscuits. I'm not giving gifts this year though. They've sent a message home to say it's very nice but they understand times are hard for everyone these days so if you want to get something put a couple of tins in the food bank. I thought that was really lovely of them.

AlwaysCheddar · 17/12/2019 16:51

Nothing will be fine!!!

Original poster
LessIsNotMore · 17/12/2019 16:52

They've sent a message home to say it's very nice but they understand times are hard for everyone these days so if you want to get something put a couple of tins in the food bank. I thought that was really lovely of them.

I love this.

OP posts:
Hahaha88 · 17/12/2019 16:54

I'm not buying teachers presents

LittleMousewithcloggson · 17/12/2019 16:55

I took loads of doughnuts in for the staff room yesterday ( 6 packs at 50p each) along with some coffee, hot chocolate and tea bags
Less than £10 in total
Otherwise I would be buying for 3 teachers, 2 TAs and office start
They seemed genuinely delighted with that

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 17/12/2019 16:57

Give a card and chocolate coins

The teacher gets a salary for the job they do they don’t teach for free. A card written by your child wishing them a nice Christmas and great 2020 is more than enough, unless the teacher has gone above and beyond to help your dc in some way

lazylinguist · 17/12/2019 17:00

I have never bought my dc's teachers Christmas presents. I'm a teacher. Honestly, you really really don't need to. A card with a nice message is plenty.

Macaroni46 · 17/12/2019 17:01

Box of nice biscuits for the staff room? Always goes down well and can be kept for a dull spell in the new year.

WorldsOnFire · 17/12/2019 17:02

I honestly thought chocolate/biscuits were a totally acceptable teacher gift. Maybe a bottle of average wine IF they’re DC’s favourite 😬 (or DC has been particularly challenging this year).

I have a couple of teacher friends and certainly never hear complaints about chocolate/confectionary - until January when they’ve put a stone on 👍🏻

I have one teacher friend who can’t eat the choc/sweet gifts (dairy allergy) but doesn’t say anything and LOVES getting all of it as they re gift it to extended family and friends then use the money they save to treat themselves to something lovely!
Their take on it is ‘it’s easier for everyone’ parents can send a £2 box of hero’s they grabbed on their weekly shop- I can give that to my great aunt Mildred and by January it’s £50 I can spend on a nice item I really want. I suppose it all works out 👍🏻