to buy Gift Card as teacher gift?

[BrainAyche]

Is a gift card/voucher ok as a teacher gift?
We usually try to give something a bit more thoughtful, and include a nice card/hand made token, but I am so completely swamped this year, Christmas is suddenly here, I'm totally unprepared and we haven't even got our tree up.
I don't have the mental energy or time to try to think of something nice now and I'm thinking at least with a gift card they can get something they actually like? What gift card? Amazon? Marks & Spencer? Something else? Or is it a naff idea?

YABU - Gift card is a lame teacher gift
YANBU - Gift card is an ok teacher gift

I've received John Lewis and Caffe Nero gift cards in the past and have been delighted and very grateful.

Are they allowed to receive what is essentially a monetary gift? It’s a very nice present but probably not allowed.

I’m not a teacher but I think it would be fine and preferable to yet another mug/box of chocs etc. Just make sure you get one for a shop that won’t go bust! Maybe get a live to shop or all for one voucher that they can use in lots of different places?

I don't give anything so that's lovely OP x

They are teachers, not a covid scientist who personally saved your life.

Write them a nice card and be done with it

Vouchers are always acceptable. However, I would just be cautious. We were given a £20 John Lewis voucher for our wedding, which was lovely, but we haven't spent it five years on because there's not much in John Lewis for £20 and then it meant we'd have to spend more money in order to use the voucher, if that makes sense. We've not seen anything we really want and don't shop often at JL anyway. Something like an axon voucher or a one for all as a PP mentioned might be a better idea than a relatively small value voucher that will require topping up with their own money to get anything worthwhile.

That would be lovely OP
I am getting DS teacher and TA one of those mini 20cl bottles of wine. I have added it onto my weekly shopping delivery so no hassle.
I should probably admit I am a TA myself and I LOVE it when I get given one as a present

I got Costa gift cards for all the staff in my child’s year, they seemed very pleased!

Can’t go wrong with a Costa, M&S or Amazon gift card imo

@Ohtherewearethen

Vouchers are always acceptable. However, I would just be cautious. We were given a £20 John Lewis voucher for our wedding, which was lovely, but we haven't spent it five years on because there's not much in John Lewis for £20 and then it meant we'd have to spend more money in order to use the voucher, if that makes sense. We've not seen anything we really want and don't shop often at JL anyway. Something like an axon voucher or a one for all as a PP mentioned might be a better idea than a relatively small value voucher that will require topping up with their own money to get anything worthwhile.

I certainly wouldn't be getting you any sort of voucher again

Starbucks cards are always a favourite of mine. Even a fiver is perfectly fine. You don’t need to spend loads :)

@Ohtherewearethen

Vouchers are always acceptable. However, I would just be cautious. We were given a £20 John Lewis voucher for our wedding, which was lovely, but we haven't spent it five years on because there's not much in John Lewis for £20 and then it meant we'd have to spend more money in order to use the voucher, if that makes sense. We've not seen anything we really want and don't shop often at JL anyway. Something like an axon voucher or a one for all as a PP mentioned might be a better idea than a relatively small value voucher that will require topping up with their own money to get anything worthwhile.

I've never read anything quite so strange about gift cards!

You could have used it for:
Tea
Coffee
Chocolates
Candles
Tea towels
Cards
Gift wrap
Photo frame for a wedding picture
Travel cup
Tights
Lipstick
Food at Waitrose

So many things you could have spent a £20 JL voucher on. My mind is still listing things but also wondering why you wasted such a decent gift!

John Lewis vouchers can also be used in Waitrose.

I’m a teacher and I love a gift card (though of course it isn’t expected). Never heard of teachers not being allowed to receive them - maybe if it was for hundreds of pounds but for a few pounds it’s not an issue.

I'm a teacher, get JLvouchers every yr as a collection from my class, and love it! Have £65 this year!!

I've given gift vouchers. I assumed theyd already be given lots of chocolate/biscuits. They seemed very well received. We have for teacher and TAs as my son has additional needs and they've been fantastic with him, especially getting him settled back into school after lockdown.

It would be lovely (teacher here!!)

I don't expect anything as a teacher. A gift card is really generous!

I’ve managed to avoid Amazon for 6 months, aim to never use them again after the way they treated their staff.

Gift card is a good present when you don’t know them personally, or buy class gifts of games etc

@CrotchBurn Bit salty you're not getting a gift card?

I've had Amazon cards from my classes and those are the best!

In the summer I gave Amazon voucher as I could
Email them over and we put a note on to treat themselves or their classroom - I know they were desperate for more of certain books etc.
Previously the only thing my son wanted to buy his early years teacher was ‘a nice cup of tea’ because that was what she mentioned doing a lot so we bought a costa voucher.

Both lots went down very well abs were appreciated. I’m also an ex-teacher so was fully aware that gifts are not needed or expected and how much was a sensible amount not to cause awkwardness etc.

I'm not being disparaging at all about the lovely voucher. It was a wonderful gesture. I just meant that as we are many, many miles away from a John Lewis and don't shop there it just wasn't that easy to spend the voucher for something like tea or teatowels. Similarly, I wouldn't give for example, a voucher towards a restaurant meal if it wasn't enough to cover the whole meal as then the person would have to spend their own money on something they wouldn't perhaps have chosen to in order to use up the voucher. We thanked the giver graciously and if anything ever comes up that we would like, or if we are ever lucky enough to receive another voucher then we will spend them on something we want. I just think that vouchers should be given with the recipient in mind and the place the vouchers can be spent should be considered.

@Ohtherewearethen you can't spend £20 online or £17.50 ish to cover the postage fee . Make up, a pen, a vase, a toy, a purse they literally sell everything. Stationary, a scarf, birthday cards? Socks? Or go to Waitrose and buy some food.

Double check that they are allowing gifts this year.
I bought all the teachers a gift with a costa voucher it was announced today no gifts allowed this year donate to a charity instead.
A bit late for anyone organised.

Personally, I would avoid Costa and Amazon. Lots of people won’t buy from them for ethical reasons.

Why not do the environment a favour and not buy more stuff? I'm sure a thank you or homemade card would do.