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?

Honestly, teachers don’t expect anything. I genuinely mean it when I say a card with a note is enough. If you really wanted to buy something, then for me personally, it would be stationery, as I can never have enough!

A card. Really that's it. Please don't spend your money on us.
Donate it or buy something like glue or books for school.

Primary school - a card with a nice message in (only if you mean it!). A message from the child with a heart felt thanks or from a parent is the most special thing. My favourite gifts have been handmade cards -nothing special but the idea that counts.

If you really want to spend money, a book for the classroom or a fiver Costa voucher is always appreciated!

Definitely a handmade card and nice messages. I really don't expect gifts.

John Lewis vouchers are my favourite 🤩

A homemade or handwritten card. I don’t want or expect gifts. I’ve kept every card I’ve ever been given.

I've been teaching for over 20 years and the only the Christmas gifts that I still have and cherish (I teach secondary so don't get many) are a toy dog a y7 member of my form got me because she knew I loved my pets but couldn't remember what they were (I have cats) but I loved that she really chose it for me and a couple of beautiful baubles which I hang on my tree every year and still remember the kids who gave them to me.

Coffee shop vouchers. A nice mug (for the staff room - they get broken so a replacement is always welcome). A plant. Wine. Biscuits or chocolates (not home made please).

Failing that, a card is lovely. Nice words mean more than an actual gift.

I always used to buy them a nice Christmas tree bauble/decoration.

In our class we have a voluntary contribution towards a pot which is split between the teacher and TAs and we get each a John Lewis voucher. About 2/3 of the parents contribute and it works out really well. Can be spent on something nice for themselves or used towards buying their own family presents or the Xmas food shop. Teachers are always very appreciative and it takes the stress out of picking multiple separate and not-shit gifts. Next time why don't you suggest it on the class WhatsApp and see if there is any interest.

Yes I usually get some goodies to go in the staffroom (or one year I knew they had a late night twilight staff meeting/training so we ordered and paid for some pizzas) with a card signed from young Tulip and family. There is a lot of people my DS comes into contact with during the school day and I feel it's only fair they should be thanked also.
I also send a little gift for each of his leaders and young leaders at Cubs.

Personally I love a candle or chocolate, but I’d save the £10 budget for end of year thank you gifts. At Christmas I love getting decorations the children have made themselves. There are quite a few currently on my tree from small children who are now at secondary school or beyond, and it’s lovely to remember them every year.

homemade cards from pupils and letters of thanks from parents. DS is a keen cyclist and some of his pupils have given him appropriate gifts but basically he doesn’t want wine, chocolate or vouchers. Something personal or just say thank you. As a secondary school teacher I never got any gifts - a few cards. When I left one school my GCSE group clubbed together to buy me a carriage clock which I treasure.

You can’t put the caretaker and cleaning staff in the same category as your child’s TA. TA’s develop strong relationships with children, often more meaningful than those with the teachers. They spend all day caring for and teaching children but most children will barely know the caretaker and never even set eyes on the cleaner. They all do a valuable job but it’s not the same.

What I really want is for the children I work with to continue to make progress. That's the best gift. Second best, is a really nice card and maybe a small box of something - chocolates, tea.

If it's a class gift I love Amazon vouchers. It means I can buy what I want easily.

A nice thank you card.

(And also wine 😁 ).

It was probably best when kids just sent the teachers a handwritten cards. Not sure why they need a present now..😗

Flowers! (pregnant so Starbucks cards and wine not up there like they usually would be)

😄

A nice thank you card written by the child or parent. A voucher. Nice body lotion / bath stuff.

Gifts I remember with fondness - when a y3 boy told me he was getting me the same present as for his mum. It was a pair of knitted gloves. A girl who gave me teddy bear salt and pepper pots. An 11 yo from a very poor family who bought me a packet of mints and apologised that she couldn't afford more. Most of the rest are long forgotten. (But I keep the cards for a while).

Nothing for me thank you. If you absolutely insist, then a John Lewis gift card.

I never understood the present buying fad, even as a child. As an adult friends and family who are teachers roll their eyes at the sheer amount of tat they get, and the wine and food gets shared out among everyone else. Home made food is instantly binned.

Class presents, while easier to be more generous, are too grand and should be declared if each child is contributing £5 and the class is over 30.

I appreciate my kids teachers but I'm not buying them a present every 12-14 weeks. A card at most then a plant donated to the school on leaving year 6.

I don't expect anything as a secondary teacher. I can't stand Starbucks or Costa so voucher for those would get passed on. Also I hate bloody scented candles. Wine is always a winner with me, but by no means is it ever expected.

Today I was in for an hour and a lovely kid brought me a box of chocolates and a card. I don't even teach him but he is a member of my choir and orchestra and after yesterday's concert, his mum told me how much he enjoys being a member of them. Made my day!

Does it work? This is what I always ask for but it has never happened!

I wanted to put cash in the card but wasn't sure this would be ok?