To ask if you give teachers presents at end of term?

[ThatsBullshirt]

Not really an AIBU but curious to know.

When I was young I didn't really give my teachers presents at the end of the school year. My parents didnt have a lot of extra income so I completely understand. Lots of my classmates did every year and I think I gave my Primary 7 teacher a gift as she had been very special to me.

DS1 finishes school next week (primary one) and I was thinking of sending him in with a small thank you gift for his teacher as she really helped him settle in with school and push him to excel. Is this still something that's done?

We always give something. I like the boys to give a hand written card, or painted picture or something meaningful. Sometimes in lifes chaos we end up buying something small if we don't have time to do something thoughtful and creative. I dont like the class gifts as they r usually bought and arranged by our class organising mums who are doing it for the wrong reasons (to show off how thoughtful and giving they are 🤷) and pressure for money (when many parents in the class can't afford the suggested amount)

It can be a nice way for the children to say thank you, so it should be from them, a card a picture etc… If a teacher has been particularly helpful then I might send something from me.

I got a lemon drizzle cake from one of my Alevel students this week - with an amazing note. Now that was appreciated.

There were 2 years where I didn't give anything as they weren't very nice or supportive. I do normally give something but usually small with a thank you note in card. As a preschool teacher the thankful notes where you have been noticed for your small touches always meant so much. Chocolate helped too 😂

I don't think I ever did when I was younger.

We didn't last year because my son's teacher was a massive prick.

His teachers this year have been lovely, especially one TA, so I'm thinking a jar of cookies for everyone and maybe an extra something for the TA.

There are only so many pens, notebooks, candles and Best Teacher mugs someone can get before its boring.

Ive always done a card from the children, and this year my eldest drew an amazing picture and his teacher said she loved it and would keep it forever. I hope she does.

My daughter is in reception this year. I'm planning to get her to make a card for her 2 teachers and TA. I might get them something small each such as chocolate - easily regifted if they don't like it.

Ds(18) is finished with school now and we never bought presents. Where we are (Scotland) in primary less than 1/2 pupils do and none in secondary.

My "gift" to his teachers was to try my best raise ds with good behaviour/manners, a strong work ethic, support ds's education at home, ensure he follows school rules and not get involved in any petty public parental negativity towards the school.

I have always given most of his teachers positive and specific feedback on how they have helped ds and thanked them at parents evenings, I have occasionally written to thank a teacher and copied the head when a teacher has made an exceptional impression on ds. Ds sometimes did cards in primary.

I have always encouraged ds to see his teachers as individual people with their own strengths and weaknesses, feelings and flaws needing support and validation they are getting it right from those around them just like the rest of us. When he finished school a few weeks ago, he stayed up late (till 2am!) with his gf the night before and baked over 70 cupcakes for the staffroom with a card to say thank you. They (gf initially) came up with the idea themselves for a couple of teachers who brought in cupcakes for the small AH class and it snowballed from there, they have recently got pt jobs bought the flour etc from their own money. Hopefully the teachers realised the effort they went to and that it was directly from ds and his gf as a thank you.

Put in the hard work to support your child/the school/teacher all year round and an end of year gift is unnecessary.

Its really no different to me recieving a bottle of wine from a supplier through work at Christmas.

DD1 is coming to the end of reception, I am thinking of just doing a card and a small voucher because I am weary of buying teachers physical gifts which I assume they have recieved a lot of over the years.

Yes, we have put in £10 each and bought my ds teachers a gift card and chocolates each. Some parents have decided

Not to

It is completely different. The supplier is thanking you for spending your money there when you could go elsewhere and it is part of their marketing strategy to retain your custom each year.

I used to put a £5 Costa gift card in a card with a note in.

I teach at secondary and occasionally get given a card by Yr 11s, I received a lovely house plant this week too. I'm not very green fingered but really liked the thought and I'll keep it alive as long as I can.

Honestly, as a teacher, one of the nicest things I’ve ever got was a glowing email from a parent last year. She sent it to the head who forwarded it to me and after another year of Covid chaos and working so hard and despite the class bubble bursting 3 times that year, that lovely email made me cry and reminded me why I do what I do. Gifts are lovely, but that email made my week! Also I have boxes and boxes of cards under my bed and when I have a wobble I get a few out and re-read them.

We have a collection which the lady who runs the WhatsApp group kindly arranges. We transfer her some money and she buys gift cards and booze for teachers and TAs

usually there is a joint collection from all parents and they get a card and gift vouchers for the teacher and TAs from everyone. It works out cheaper than buying individual cards and gifts and the teachers get a decent amount of vouchers to get something they choose rather than 30 mugs, smelly sets etc.

@Blanketpolicy That is parenting done exceptionally! What lovely and thoughtful young people and I agree - polite, thoughtful and supported children are a joy to teach and the best present we can have. They are the ones that support the children who struggle too, my modelling their behaviour and often showing great friendship which has such an impact on the class.

Same here. People in many areas do a great job and don't get endless presents.

I was an EFL teacher for a while and one class made me cards, which was fabulous. But 30 bottles of wine/chocolates/mugs? Who would want that?

My mum never let me take anything, she was a teacher and objected on principle she was also very tight I hated being what felt like the only person without anything to give, so I always sent a small token in with my DC.

Exactly the same here and I’ve sent DS with a token gift both years as I remember how awful it felt.

I believe it's a mix at some educational institutions, and can be quite competitive too.

My DS was in a primary where teachers didn't get many end-of-year presents, so I did get them presents, as they were lovely. I worked then in a place with a very fancy-schmancy giftshop, so I'd usually get them a mug (not a "best teacher" one!) and a box of chocolates from the giftshop, nice enough to pass on if they weren't interested, or for the mugs to end up in the staffroom. (I'd been to the staffroom and it could've done with more mugs...) DS made them a card to go with it all.

The only present I gave at secondary was a thank you card to one particular teacher.

My mum was a primary teacher, and still has decorations on the Christmas tree every year that one of her charges -now probably 40 something - made for her. They're very sweet.

As a teacher I think it is totally ridiculous to give teachers presents. A card or a note saying you appreciate their work is the most that should be expected. If you must give a gift, give something that can be used in class; colouring pencils etc. as many teachers will often have to buy these extras themselves.

Growing up every one would bring in a pound and get a card/ flowers for the teacher. Parents giving individual presents from their child alone just wasn't a thing really.

No, we just do cards, but between job shares, TAs and me having two children I’d be buying presents for at least half a dozen people. I buy some edible treats for the staff room at some random point in the year instead.

Plenty of children come in bearing gift bags etc at the end of the year though, so it’s still “a thing”.