AIBU to ask any teachers what end of term presents they really want

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I always dread buying end of term presents for my children's teachers...not because I begrudge the money, but because I don't know what to get and imagine they always end up with a load of knick-knacks and chocolate they don't really want, or wine when they don't drink. So to save me from the angst this year, if you're a teacher, what end of term presents would you choose for a budget of around £10?

I normally get them a gift card for either a coffee place close to school or one of those massive stationary supply stores

Costa gift card. I load with £10 and write enjoy a Christmas coffee and cake from xxxxx. Alternatively I ask office staff if the teacher likee prosecco or wine and buy a bottle accordingly.

Don't expect anything, just a card and a thank you is fine. Since you've asked the question though, stationary lol! X

Mum was a primary teacher and anything homemade went straight in the bin. I remember eyeing up some brownies quite hopefully and being told categorically no!

Mum was a primary teacher and anything homemade went straight in the bin. I remember eyeing up some brownies quite hopefully and being told categorically no!

Why? I've eaten homemade cakes and biscuits at school fêtes and bake sales, and as presents from kids all my long career with no ill effects!

@AllProperTeaIsTheft - just looked at this thread again after DD just this minute said she hopes she gets home made mince pies again this year!

They appreciate everything you do .
I'm in the same position and bought Sainsbury gift cards .
its a massive team.
Without them.I darent even begin to think .

Absolutely ...

Probably spare sets of protractors/set squares and compasses... And chocolate to put up with dealing with the kid who loses/breaks everything.... mine

I'd really like if my kid turned up with the pens, pencils, rulers and calculators that I have put in their bag too. And even better if they actually turned up to every lesson!

PTA rep here. We have a suggested donation £1 per child by end November. We got to the nearest supermarket and buy wine, nice non alcohol fizz , chocolates,sweets, candles, bubble baths, nice biscuits. A few £5 Costa, Starbucks vouchers, Grab a few banana boxes wrap in nice paper and cellophane and leave in the staff room. Means everyone: teachers. TA's, secretary, head teacher, gardener, ground staff can all grab a few bits each. Staff always say how nice this is. Individual gifts are encouraged to be small and handmade if anyone wants to do something outside of this.

Probably because having had an alcoholic parent I can see the effects of a gift like this from a different prospective to you is all.

If someone wants to drink I have no problem with this. But I feel it should be the person's own responsibility to buy their own alcohol if they wish. I suppose there's things I've sheltered my children from enough that I don't want them giving alcohol as a gift. I like to view kids relationship with teachers or adults as more innocent and if the gift is from the child does it need to be alcohol?

There's plenty other things suitable. Different opinion is all.

Previous post is a reply to this poster. Not sure how to quote and reply. Obviously. Apologies.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 14/12/2023 16:00

I'm surprised at the amount of people giving their children alcohol to give their teachers!!

I don't think it's appropriate at all. I give a small gift but would never dream of sending alcohol into the school. If its a gift from the child to the teacher then surely it shouldn't be something the child can't even legally buy.

Why? The child isn't buying it. The teacher is allowed to drink it. Nothing remotely illegal is occurring

Not a waste of time. It, hopefully reminds the teacher that the parents appreciate them even though the child in question can be a pain in the arse at times. Which is useful to do at Christmas when they've still got to teach the kid for two more terms.

Message the other parents and organise a group gift. This is what we do (suggested donation is £12 per family, but you can give whatever you want and it’s entirely voluntary). Last year we raised almost £400, which gave the teacher and TA about £170 in vouchers each, plus some flowers and chocs. And we also bought chocs for the head teacher and office staff. My sister is a teacher at another school and she wishes her parents would do this. As much as she doesn’t expect presents and appreciates the sentiment of the gifts she does get, a lot of the time it is drinks she doesn’t like, or smelly stuff she will never use and she just gives it away.

Perhaps if parents want to make a donation they buy art materials or stationery for the school?

For the love of God, ask them if they'd prefer the money or a 'little' gift. Don't do what one of our class 'reps' did one year... collected the money, walked down the alley connecting school to high street, found the 1st shop (Dorothy Perkins) and bought...... cake forks.... yes, she really did...

A voucher is always a winner

Book voucher, John Lewis voucher, stationery.

I wouldn't give homemade gifts (eg)food as most teachers would not eat it

I get that. Sorry but you don’t know peoples hygiene standards or cleanliness in their homes. Judging by the dog bowl thread the other day.. hygiene is not especially high in some people.
My mum was the same. Me too. Would never ever buy homemade food from school… happy to donate money etc to make up for it but it’s a no for homemade food for us.

@BananaSplitsss At Ds's school the head of the PTA is really lovely but her kids are always a bit grubby with snotty noses and look like they've been washed once a week. I'm fine to donate money but there's no way I'd eat anything that she baked.

What on earth?!? That is so strange!