To consider NOT giving teacher xmas presents

[LessIsNotMore]

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.

I’ve got one teacher a bottle of wine as she’s worked her bloody socks off this year.

Then two TAs who support my Send child have both got a present. There are other TAs but they don’t help my DD so I’ve had to prioritise.

I am giving DD's teacher a present and DD made a card for her but I know she won't even remember who gave her the presents, they get so many.

I’m a teacher, and although I appreciate the thought I really don’t want presents. I don’t drink, I’m very picky about chocolate, actually I’m picky about most things. TBH I’d prefer that parents spent the money on a book for their own child.

All I know is in January our charity shop is full of best teacher crap. This gift giving is a relatively new thing. Giving teachers gifts was unheard of when my kids were at school in the eighties. I think a teacher or TA would really love a sincere letter thanking them for what they have done for your child. Even better if the child writes it. A bit late now, but maybe next year a gift of Quality Street or similar for the staff room about a week before end of term?

I'm a secondary school teacher. Never receive gifts but dutifully buy my primary aged daughter gifts for her teacher, teaching assistants, bus driver. Can't wait for her to leave

I just get the kids to give them a nice card with a message and drawing. They each have teachers with a job share, 3 TAs plus the senco that helps them both. I have been a full time student the last 4 years so haven't been able to afford it. This year I am finally working but not going to start now. Will continue what we've been doing instead of spending £5 each on rubbish presents they won't really appreciate as they get loads of it.

FloppyBiff - I agree I HATE the 'joint present' crap, if I want to buy something I am perfectly capable do it myself + the sinacle part of me thinks these 'organizer' parents are profiting from the rest of us.

Its simple maths, we are expected to pay £3 each x 30 parents = £90 but the presents over the years have been a bouquet of flowers that I'm certain was £5 in the supermarket and a home printed A4 picture in a cheap frame with the kids in the classes names written on.

the sinacle part of me thinks these 'organizer' parents are profiting from the rest of us.

that's very sad if it's the case, pretty much everyone loves joint presents here: you send money and you're done, don't deal with anything and teachers get vouchers of a decent amount instead of mountain of crap. Win win.
Shame if people organising in your school are not trustworthy.

Also don't buy gifts for teachers any more. Prioritise the volunteer sports coaches and Brownie/Guide/ Scout leaders .

I'm a teacher and am overjoyed with chocs! But honestly expect nothing. I've given my child's teacher some pens from poundland and some
Chocs from poundland.

It’s on a website where you have to list your name and contribution (so not anonymous).
Most people donated £20 to be split between 3 teachers.

shockshock not anonymous?? So everyone knows if you've donated less than the ridiculously high £20??

well that's one way of making sure you are not accused of pocketing some of the cash,
so is a fixed amount (like £3 or £5), it's easy to check.

So I can understand why it's better not to be anonymous.

In my kids classes, donations are done online and you can choose to be anonymous or not - but the amount still shows. No one has hidden their name, so people are not bothered.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies You have a spreadsheet 😳 what the heck for? are you recording who gave x and how much £ ..? I’m baffled . Your post seems contradictory

I do feel embarrassed by gifts. I get paid. If you’d like to say thank you then do just that or write it in a card/letter.

I never bought teachers presents. It occurred to me the other day that if it was down to Fathers, they wouldnt either.

@Dailyjunglegrind, Mathilda is joking!

I think its pretty mean spirited not to give anything to teachers/ t.a staff.
Chocs are fine if that's all you can afford. We do class collections. People give mostly £10 and we give vouchers to teacher, t.a, office staff and wine to kitchen staff.
Everything feels this saves a lot of faffing.
Relatively affluent area but state school.
However there is a spirit of generosity amongst a lot of the school community. So always raising funds for charities

@astuz I think the difference is they going from being with 1 teacher all day every day to having 11+ teachers but only seeing them for a few hours a week.

*everyone not everything

Do what you like. There is no reason not to.

Why do teachers deserve a gift? I don't get a gift at the end of a year doing my job, nor do plenty of other people. Teachers do their job and get paid for that job. They don't deserve a gift anymore than all other people do and parents shouldn't be guilted into buying them a gift

A teacher friend of mine has a cupboard full of teacher mugs, personalised T-shirt’s and all sorts of nonsense. She said it’s very kind but a bit of a waste - and where to put it!! Chocs always a good idea i think

"We’ve got one of ‘those’ class reps who started organising the collection weeks ago. It’s on a website where you have to list your name and contribution (so not anonymous)."
I would not do this in a million years.

You don’t need to give anything, but chocolate is always appreciated. You could always just give a big tin of biscuits for the staff room. That way all the various teachers/TAs/office staff can share them.

Why do teachers deserve a gift? I don't get a gift at the end of a year doing my job, nor do plenty of other people.

because many teachers do?
People say thank you. Teachers spend a lot of time with my kids, go beyond a ridiculous 9 to 5, why shouldn't I say "thank you" to let them know I think they are doing a good job and I appreciate it.

Many people do get a Christmas Bonus, many people give a gift to the bin men, their hairdresser, the nurses at hospital.

You don't have to do anything, but of course many of them deserve a gift. If you have chosen a job where you get nothing, too bad.

Why do teachers deserve a gift? I don't get a gift at the end of a year doing my job, nor do plenty of other people. Teachers do their job and get paid for that job. They don't deserve a gift anymore than all other people do and parents shouldn't be guilted into buying them a gift

Giving a gift says 'We appreciate you and are grateful'.
That's one reason to give a gift.
You aren't obligated to but you are probably a right person tbh if you cant even give a gift to a teacher.
We grew up with our parents giving gifts to the class teacher, head, school secretary, all the doctors and receptionists at the GP surgery.
We gave to our neighbours too.
Guess what?
I do the same thing.