To ask teachers and teaching assistants what you would really like for Christmas from a parent?

[Whosthecrazy]

Dd is in nursery and has I think 4 teachers in her class, 2 she is very attached to! I’d like to get them all something nice for Christmas but don’t want to fall into the trap of smellies or boring chocolates! So please, what would you really like if you could give a wish list?!

As a teacher who's now a TA, I'll break the trend and say that yes, all the wine and chocolate are my favourites! Or vouchers. But always best accompanied by a homemade card and message.

@elQuintoConyo

I'm a teacher. Nothing. I like nothing. Or a card with a nice note. Otherwise nothing. It stresses me out thinking of the wasted money, who I can palm stuff onto. Honestly, a cute card with a squiggly little note inside. Easy to keep and I smile every time I look at them.

I think that's why OP is asking what you WOULD like - so you aren't palming things off. She wants to get something and presumably has the funds to do so so 'nothing' isn't that helpful.

In every school I’ve worked in, most staff are on health kicks straight after Christmas. Nobody really wants chocolates and biscuits hanging round the staff room. I resent having to deal with them.

Not that I’d show that to anyone giving me a gift. I actively dislike being given food.

children that are a pleasure to teach - not all of them are you know!

Last year we bought some wooden reindeer decorations. They have a hole for a red Lindt ball so look like Rudolph with a red nose. They went down really well, and they were cheap token gifts.

She wants to get something and presumably has the funds to do so so 'nothing' isn't that helpful.

Why not? That is what I want. Spend the money on a book for your child and spend some proper time reading it with them. That would be my recommendation for what most primary teachers I know want.

So there's nothing that you would keep and enjoy rather than palm off? My dc have plenty books - I like to give something small too!

@liveforsummer

So there's nothing that you would keep and enjoy rather than palm off? My dc have plenty books - I like to give something small too!

Cards. That really is it.

Glue sticks! A big box of them!

Gosh, tricky customer, glad you're not a family member - it's hard enough trying to think of gift ideas 😆

Wine or chocolates are always a winner. I did once get a beautiful Xmas decoration though that I hang on my tree every year and I still remember the child who gave it to me.

@Awalkintime

Glue sticks! A big box of them!

We have glue sticks coming out of our ears but a box of laminating pouches wouldn't go amiss. It's like currency in our school 😆

I wish they’d ban presents for teachers. I bloody hate this time of year and all the angst it causes for parents.

Class collection, if you want to stick a fiver in each that's awesome but no obligation
Nice personalised card off etsy which all the kids sign, bunch of flowers and the rest in Harvey nicks/selfridges vouchers. Collection split down the middle between the class teacher and the TA.

I always tended to give tree baubles for primary. My daughters teacher last year was a big Beatles fan so I bought him a John Lennon one.

wine, chocolate or biscuits. I also love a hand cream!

I'm a teacher. My favourite gift was a voucher!

I don't get them anything. Instead I donate stuff to the nursery.

So far in 1 year, they've had 3 PCs, a tablet, a box of A4 paper, a poster for their nap room, sleeping mats and blankets!

Don't feel the need to buy gifts tbh.

My SIL was a primary school teacher, and 10 years after she retired she's still got unopened bottles of bubble bath/shower gel that she was given. That stuff mounts up!

I’ve tended to buy nothing (as a child of a teacher, we ate a lot of roses over Christmas) but occasionally at the end of the year I’ve bought a teacher my child’s recent favourite book of it was a good class reader - again, as a teacher my mum bought her own books so I thought it was a good thing to get and if it’s a copy (and i tend to buy good but not mainstream books) then it’s easy to pass on.

@PurpleDaisies

I wish they’d ban presents for teachers. I bloody hate this time of year and all the angst it causes for parents.

Im a teacher. I think this.

We did a collection then bought each person a bottle of Prosecco, some flowers and a M&S gift card.

We figured that at the very least they could treat themselves to some nice food.

Prosecco can be regifted if you don't drink it, and most people like flowers. I don't drink it but wouldn't be offended if I were bought some, I'd just regift

I like alcohol.
My second preference is chocolates, sweets and candles.

I hate anything with a picture of your kids on or anything that says worlds best teacher or whatever. It looks weird if I put them up around my house, so I'm never sure what I'm meant to do with them. I have a few framed pictures of kids I've taught in a box in my garage because I'd feel bad throwing them out, but they're not going on my mantelpiece!

We never bought anything for teachers only a nice card. Anything else is unnecessary imo.

@Whosthecrazy

Dd is in nursery and has I think 4 teachers in her class, 2 she is very attached to! I’d like to get them all something nice for Christmas but don’t want to fall into the trap of smellies or boring chocolates! So please, what would you really like if you could give a wish list?!

I always liked getting a bauble or other Christmas decoration. They're lovely things to bring out each year.

And the price range can suit any budget.