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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish I’d never offered to sort the class teacher gift?

153 replies

Lilmzsnowflake · 02/12/2020 17:09

Even before I offered I told myself it was madness.
Then I thought, what’s so hard about collecting money and buying an Amazon voucher and a card to sign? Easy.

No. No it is not. There were the usual complaints about how we should shop local. What interests the teacher has that could be used. Which MLM mums are in the class group and we could support them too.
I said from the start that if Amazon vouchers were ok I would do it, but I’m not traipsing around shops. So far I’ve not responded to any of these suggestions and no one else is offering to take on the job.
I wouldn’t dream of buying clothes or toiletries for someone without knowing their size or preference. Books are great but for someone who reads a lot, chances are they have either read it or have specific genres they like. Food can be a minefield with allergies, diets, preferences.
The teacher in question is lovely and her neighbour, who I am friends with, has said she often takes in Amazon boxes for her. Vouchers seems like a good, if impersonal choice.
AIBU to think I should have just kept quiet?

Please tell me your class gift horror stories to make me feel better! I have another 4 years with dc at the school so I really don’t want to fall out with anyone.

OP posts:
justicedanceson · 02/12/2020 18:08

@threediamonds

Please get her the vouchers - I say that as a teacher who would absolutely love an amazon gift card!
This!!
Moominmama5 · 02/12/2020 18:10

What @Winter2020 said! Go with the vouchers and don’t chase anyone for the cash. Guarantee they’ll love it.

iHaveACold · 02/12/2020 18:12

Another teacher voting for Amazon vouchers!

sorryforswearing · 02/12/2020 18:14

I’d love an Amazon gift card. Great idea!

Rudolphian · 02/12/2020 18:14

Yes amazon..not that indont advocate shopping locally.
But with vouchers you have to be so careful.
Imagine if you'd bought debenhams vouchers they'd be worthless. In the current climate I wouldn't be buying vouchers for a single shop/ department store.

Pinkflipflop85 · 02/12/2020 18:20

Amazon would be fab. I regularly buy stuff on there for my classroom and it would be so appreciated!

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 02/12/2020 18:23

A couple years ago, the teacher mentioned she was looking forward to going home to a gin (this was at the end of the last parent's evening appointment) and then at the end of the years she ended up with about 18 bottles of gin! Almost everyone got her one. It was quite funny.

halcyondays · 02/12/2020 18:26

You can’t go wrong with an Amazon voucher.

Waveysnail · 02/12/2020 18:26

paypal collection with those all 4 one vouchers from the post office. No card.

Waveysnail · 02/12/2020 18:28

Is this a reception class by any chance?

CrocodileFondue · 02/12/2020 18:41

She said she has another 4 years with kids at the school so I'm guessing not unless they are skipping the last couple...

Original poster
Lilmzsnowflake · 02/12/2020 18:42

@Winter2020 that’s perfect, may well let it play out a bit and then post that up tomorrow. At the moment I’m trying to be entertained by it all rather than stressed!

@Rudolphian you are so right, a relative got left with a load of virgin megastore vouchers the year they went bust, I would hate for that to happen when the value is likely to be £100+.

@Waveysnail no not reception. Other parents have done collections before and got vouchers with the money, all was fine. It was one of them who started the chat saying they were unable to do it this time and who else might volunteer, cue lots of ‘no’ until I gave in.

I think it’s been made more complex this year by a number of the parents getting in to MLM stuff - we have Body Shop x3, Neals Yard, Scentsy, Avon, Forever Living, plus a number of self employed hairdressers and beauticians. It’s been hard for many families and I wish them well, but don’t think it’s right to buy any of that stuff when I have no idea if the teacher even likes it, and I personally wouldn’t want any of it either if there was the option of a voucher to spend as I pleased!
Seems like mostly people agree.

OP posts:
Crazycatlady83 · 02/12/2020 18:45

@RoseCider

There’s no teachers gifts permitted this year at our school. There’s boxes to donate to the local foodbank instead in the playground which the teachers have opted for.
I think that’s a lovely idea!
FellWanderer · 02/12/2020 18:47

I'm a teacher and vote Amazon vouchers. Prime next day delivery is really useful when you need certain things/books for a lesson at short notice. I wouldn't like john Lewis/m&s vouchers as there isn't one near me and they're much more expensive than my usual shops!

Passmeabottlemrjones · 02/12/2020 18:50

Yes, defo get her vouchers!

I say that as a teacher who always loved vouchers, but is now in class WhatsApps where people think that vouchers are 'too impersonal' and end up getting the teacher 'special' tat with everyone in the class's name on in to remember them by.

No teacher wants a picture of a tree with each name as an apple, or a special plaque with the everyone's name on it, or a picture of the class. We want John Lewis vouchers goddammit!

Legoandloldolls · 02/12/2020 18:52

I was a join class rep and just collected for eating out vouchers. We had left over cash so got a tin of choc as well.

If your doing it, get what you first suggested and that's that.

I have learnt that if you do the first year it's the easiest time to volunteer. There was no bar to aim for 🙂

TheRubyRedshoes · 02/12/2020 18:54

Why John Lewis? It's I've priced, buyers fine crap.

Surely amazon, tk max far better?

Gottalovesummer · 02/12/2020 18:55

I genuinely don't understand class teacher gifts.

I have 2 DC who are now teens. All through infant and junior school I bought their class teacher and the TA a bottle of wine each.

Never heard of a class gift.

FestiveChristmasLights · 02/12/2020 19:00

YANBU. You can always do a message to everyone saying you’ve raised £XX amount and you’ll either get an Amazon voucher or else happy to transfer the funds to somebody else if the group isn’t happy with that suggestion.

unmarkedbythat · 02/12/2020 19:00

If you're organising it, final decision rests with you- anyone who doesn't like that doesn't have to contribute or can take over organisation themselves. And I agree, vouchers. I love vouchers as a gift!

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 02/12/2020 19:00

@Gottalovesummer

I genuinely don't understand class teacher gifts.

I have 2 DC who are now teens. All through infant and junior school I bought their class teacher and the TA a bottle of wine each.

Never heard of a class gift.

Someone else does all the work and deals with the hassle. I love it.Grin
VetiverAndLavender · 02/12/2020 19:01

Amazon is not a crap gift. I can't believe there's anyone who honestly couldn't find something they'd like or could use from Amazon.

FestiveChristmasLights · 02/12/2020 19:01

@Gottalovesummer

I genuinely don't understand class teacher gifts.

I have 2 DC who are now teens. All through infant and junior school I bought their class teacher and the TA a bottle of wine each.

Never heard of a class gift.

It’s the same thing except sometimes classes club together so the teacher doesn’t go home with 30 bottles of wine at the end of term, which might not be to their taste.
Oblomov20 · 02/12/2020 19:04

One of the ladies did it all the way through primary, and I always helped her.
People should just be bloody grateful that we did it. If you don't want to participate no ones forcing you! Sort your own gift. But whatever you do, don't bloody complain, re Amazon vouchers, or going local.

FFS. Some people. Hmm

Waveysnail · 02/12/2020 19:21

Urgh we have a parent who always pushes her mlm stuff as teacher presents. Just keep politely saying - let's keep it simple and buy a voucher as planned