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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to give teacher a book?

42 replies

Bananagrand · 13/07/2023 16:45

I typically do small cafe / coffee shop vouchers for teachers and TAs at Christmas and end of the year. This year my child has a wonderful teacher. She (obviously) has not shared much personal info but she has mentioned enjoying the beach and her sun lounger in her garden. Would it be odd to give her a novel I recently enjoyed along with a thank you note and cafe voucher?

UABU - too odd / personal / you can’t know her taste
UANBU - pass along a good book

OP posts:
SunshineLollipopsRainbow · 13/07/2023 16:47

I think that's a lovely idea and I'm a teacher

CurlewKate · 13/07/2023 16:48

I've done this. Went down well. Or, at least she said it did!

Wolfiefan · 13/07/2023 16:48

I used to be a teacher and I think that’s really kind and thoughtful. How lovely.

Kimchikitchen · 13/07/2023 16:48

I’d give her a Waterstones voucher

Kimchikitchen · 13/07/2023 16:49

Nothing beats browsing pre holiday and picking your perfect holiday read

noglow · 13/07/2023 16:49

I wouldn't worry about the cafe voucher. The book is enough.

Kimchikitchen · 13/07/2023 16:50

Why don’t you give her a voucher for Waterstones and pass on your book (unless you’re going to read again), and say you read this and recommend but no worries if she doesn’t fancy - she can pass on

Limth · 13/07/2023 16:52

Kimchikitchen · 13/07/2023 16:50

Why don’t you give her a voucher for Waterstones and pass on your book (unless you’re going to read again), and say you read this and recommend but no worries if she doesn’t fancy - she can pass on

^This is a great idea.

I hate it when people pick books out for me. A book voucher with a no-pressure recommendation is an excellent idea.

noglow · 13/07/2023 16:56

Limth · 13/07/2023 16:52

^This is a great idea.

I hate it when people pick books out for me. A book voucher with a no-pressure recommendation is an excellent idea.

Show quote history

It's a rubbish idea because if it's a book the teacher then had to get rid of a shit book if they don't like it

Justme68 · 13/07/2023 16:59

My son has 6 helpers in his class he's got special needs, they got a couple of tea bags a key ring chocolate biscuit and a £1 scratch card they loved them one of them won £5 too.

Limth · 13/07/2023 16:59

noglow · 13/07/2023 16:56

It's a rubbish idea because if it's a book the teacher then had to get rid of a shit book if they don't like it

Show quote history

That's true, I take it back. It's actually a rubbish idea.

If the teacher didn't like the book, she'd then be burdened with the gargantuan task of taking a book to a community borrowing shelf, or a charity shop, or a homeless charity, or a literacy group.

🙄

StephanieSuperpowers · 13/07/2023 17:02

I think that's a really nice idea. What could be a better start to the holiday than a new book and a coffee to enjoy with it? Sounds amazing to me.

Newmum738 · 13/07/2023 17:06

That would be beautiful. I'd be happy if I were that teacher!

Fergie51 · 13/07/2023 17:09

Definitely a book voucher! Excellent gift!

justtype · 13/07/2023 17:12

I think it's perfect and personally would love that

noglow · 13/07/2023 17:13

Limth · 13/07/2023 16:59

That's true, I take it back. It's actually a rubbish idea.

If the teacher didn't like the book, she'd then be burdened with the gargantuan task of taking a book to a community borrowing shelf, or a charity shop, or a homeless charity, or a literacy group.

🙄

Show quote history

Well yeah. Offloading a book to someone should only be done if you've asked if they'd like to read it. Otherwise people would just gift wrap junk they don't want and give it to people.

Stichintime · 13/07/2023 17:14

I agree, give her your copy. If she doesn't like it she can leave it in the staffroom.

Kimchikitchen · 13/07/2023 17:18

noglow · 13/07/2023 16:56

It's a rubbish idea because if it's a book the teacher then had to get rid of a shit book if they don't like it

Show quote history

Is that so hard? Leave on coffee table in staff rooms. Drop in to charity shop.

Do you never buy anyone anything as a surprise?

Justonemorecoffeeplease · 13/07/2023 17:18

I’m a teacher and I’d love a book or token. Think the idea of passing on your recommendation is fab. Really kind of you thank them in this way.

Kimchikitchen · 13/07/2023 17:19

noglow · 13/07/2023 17:13

Well yeah. Offloading a book to someone should only be done if you've asked if they'd like to read it. Otherwise people would just gift wrap junk they don't want and give it to people.

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So every gift you ever give - you know for 100% sure that they’re going to love ?

and you never ever buy books for anyone because they might not like it and then have to get rid of it ?

PTSDBarbiegirl · 13/07/2023 17:21

Limth · 13/07/2023 16:52

^This is a great idea.

I hate it when people pick books out for me. A book voucher with a no-pressure recommendation is an excellent idea.

Show quote history

Really great idea!

GalileoHumpkins · 13/07/2023 17:29

I think a book voucher is a better option, I don't like people picking out books for me. If for instance someone gave me a copy of LIC or something by Colleen Hoover how would I even pretend to be grateful?

LadyEloise1 · 13/07/2023 17:32

A book token would be better than a book. She may have already read it. You could always recommend the one you liked or put it in with the book tomen.

viques · 13/07/2023 17:33

noglow · 13/07/2023 16:49

I wouldn't worry about the cafe voucher. The book is enough.

I would rather the cafe voucher, some peoples taste in books doesn’t align with mine!

ManchesterLu · 13/07/2023 17:36

If the teacher was me, it'd be an excellent idea. I love receiving books, from anyone, anywhere, at any time.

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