Further Post re Teacher Gifts

betweenfriends · 2023-07-21T12:08:48+00:00

Having read a number of threads about gifts for teachers, it appears that some teachers don't like a lot of the gifts they receive, whilst a lot of parents struggle (with ideas and financially). It appears to be a bit of a farce/competition now. I wonder if it's time to stop this gift giving and perhaps just send teachers a hand written card with nice words?

Plasmodesmata · 21/07/2023 13:09

Cards were my favourite when I was a teacher and I've kept them all.

Enko · 21/07/2023 13:09

The last few years I sent a card and a voucher for a coffee shop. They always went down well. But the card was the most appreciated.

PrivateSchoolTeacherParent · 21/07/2023 13:11

As I always say when I see these threads, as well as a card, and for no extra cost, you could send a nice email to the head teacher saying how much DC has enjoyed the years thanks to their teacher. It all helps!

ohfook · 21/07/2023 13:13

I don't hate the gifts at all. I do hate the fact that parents might feel under pressure or go without just to get something. I feel uncomfortable about whole class presents (where people put in X amount and only the children whose parents contributed are allowed to sign the card) for this very reason.

Tereseta · 21/07/2023 13:14

We did homemade cards this year with a seed bomb in the envelope. Luckily our school doesn't do class gifts as everyone has different budgets.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 21/07/2023 13:16

PrivateSchoolTeacherParent · 21/07/2023 13:11

As I always say when I see these threads, as well as a card, and for no extra cost, you could send a nice email to the head teacher saying how much DC has enjoyed the years thanks to their teacher. It all helps!

This is the best idea I've seen yet!

Teachers are also very affected by the COL crisis so the best gift is definitely a voucher from the whole class with each family contributing what they can afford, even if that's 0

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 21/07/2023 13:17

ohfook · 21/07/2023 13:13

I don't hate the gifts at all. I do hate the fact that parents might feel under pressure or go without just to get something. I feel uncomfortable about whole class presents (where people put in X amount and only the children whose parents contributed are allowed to sign the card) for this very reason.

I think only letting parents who contribute sign the card is extremely petty it should just say from year 4 parents etc and be organized by the class rep, only donating what they can afford and that might be zero

budgiegirl · 21/07/2023 13:19

PrivateSchoolTeacherParent · 21/07/2023 13:11

As I always say when I see these threads, as well as a card, and for no extra cost, you could send a nice email to the head teacher saying how much DC has enjoyed the years thanks to their teacher. It all helps!

I agree. I'm a cub leader, and we rarely get gifts (which is fine, of course, we don't expect them). But this year at the end of term, I got two handwritten cards, and a lovely email from a parent thanking us for all the hard work we put in, and telling me how much their child enjoys cubs. That means all the world to me, especially as recently we've had a very difficult parent, for whom nothing we do is good enough. It's the little things that make it all worthwhile.

Ihaveamagicwand · 21/07/2023 13:21

Love the idea of the Headteacher receiving a couple of hundred emails praising the class teachers at the end of the school year, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it!!!😂

PrivateSchoolTeacherParent · 21/07/2023 13:23

Ihaveamagicwand · 21/07/2023 13:21

Love the idea of the Headteacher receiving a couple of hundred emails praising the class teachers at the end of the school year, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it!!!😂

Yes, it only really works if only a few people do it! 😀

Sprogonthetyne · 21/07/2023 13:23

My kids school put a note in the news letter for the last few weeks asking people not to bring gifts, but saying that if anyone does wants to show their application, they have an amazon wish list of books for the school library. Seemed like a nice idea to me, especially as it's all online/ anonymous, so there's not the pressure of been seen walking in with/without a gift.

Changedforthetoday · 21/07/2023 13:27

Sprogonthetyne · 21/07/2023 13:23

My kids school put a note in the news letter for the last few weeks asking people not to bring gifts, but saying that if anyone does wants to show their application, they have an amazon wish list of books for the school library. Seemed like a nice idea to me, especially as it's all online/ anonymous, so there's not the pressure of been seen walking in with/without a gift.

I love this idea!