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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

246 replies

Applebyapples · 13/12/2023 16:17

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?

OP posts:
MenorcaMarguerite · 13/12/2023 18:21

Not that I expect a present, but that would be the most helpful. Or the parents clubbing together to subscribe to something like Beano or The Week Junior for the class.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 13/12/2023 18:23

If your child is in secondary it's generally expected that you would buy their maths teacher a gift every 7 weeks.

Grin
Differentstarts · 13/12/2023 18:51

SandyWaves · 13/12/2023 18:21

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

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No don't give cash

BettyBakesCakes · 13/12/2023 18:53

mineallmine · 13/12/2023 16:39

I just got a present today from a child and I love it. It's a scarf, long and warm. Also a candle which I've been burning in the classroom. Neither were very expensive but both lovely. And the child was delighted to see me enjoy the presents.

You've been burning a candle in the classroom?! Bet your h and s person will love you 😂

Xmasbaby11 · 13/12/2023 18:57

I give a little gift bag with mini Prosecco , hand cream and bar of Tony’s choc.

hopefully she will like something, but it’s all easy to re gift if not.

For teachers who wear loads of make up, I’ve bought a £10 Boots gift card in the past!

Wouldyouguess · 13/12/2023 18:59

OnAir · 13/12/2023 17:03

Are we really supposed to get the teachers something after every term. Not being funny but fuck that. I don't get gifts every 7 weeks at work. End of year yeah maybe if they have been supportive.

There are 3 terms in a year, so it's not every 7 weeks if you can do basic maths anyways. The fact you are unappreciated also does not mean you need to be shit to others :P
As a sidenote, no one expects a gift every term anyways, but a thank you card would be nice.

cansu · 13/12/2023 19:00

book token. I love reading and this would be the nicest thing I could be given.

Wouldyouguess · 13/12/2023 19:00

I have never been upset with a card, or occasional chocolates and I buy some for my son's teachers and TAs for Xmas and end of the year.

Differentstarts · 13/12/2023 19:01

Wouldyouguess · 13/12/2023 18:59

There are 3 terms in a year, so it's not every 7 weeks if you can do basic maths anyways. The fact you are unappreciated also does not mean you need to be shit to others :P
As a sidenote, no one expects a gift every term anyways, but a thank you card would be nice.

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Bit harsh.

Wouldyouguess · 13/12/2023 19:02

Differentstarts · 13/12/2023 19:01

Bit harsh.

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But fair.

Differentstarts · 13/12/2023 19:03

Wouldyouguess · 13/12/2023 19:02

But fair.

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But unnecessary

FraterculaArctica · 13/12/2023 19:03

Our primary does collections for vouchers that 90 percent plus of parents contribute to, but there's absolutely no obligation. I'm organising one of the classes' donations this Christmas and both the teacher and TA will get a fairly generous voucher and a bunch of flowers..

caringcarer · 13/12/2023 19:06

Amazon voucher is safe because they can pick what they like.

Sparehair · 13/12/2023 19:08

FraterculaArctica · 13/12/2023 19:03

Our primary does collections for vouchers that 90 percent plus of parents contribute to, but there's absolutely no obligation. I'm organising one of the classes' donations this Christmas and both the teacher and TA will get a fairly generous voucher and a bunch of flowers..

We do this as well - basically tenner a child and someone collects and buys a voucher and a card- usually JL or Amazon. Probably about 70% of the class join, a few people prefer to do their own thing and the rest probably don’t bother ( their choice).

stargirl1701 · 13/12/2023 19:08

@MenorcaMarguerite

I start mentioning my desire for no gifts after the October holidays. I then post on Teams that I prefer no gifts in early Nov. It mostly works but not 100%.

CurlewKate · 13/12/2023 19:09

I always used to give school related Oxfam gifts. There are only so many best teacher mugs you can eat.

FoodieToo · 13/12/2023 19:10

I expect nothing . I LOVE cute cards from the kids.
However the best gifts are vouchers , wine and chocolate .

Amblesidebadger · 13/12/2023 19:12

Write something nice in their card, email their head to say why you appreciate them. If you'd really like to buy something: coffee gift card, nice stationery/ notebook or a general voucher for M&S or John Lewis or somewhere is lovely.

IwishIdidntlikesugar · 13/12/2023 19:14

iv given cash and it was very gratefully received. John Lewis vouchers/marks vouchers always well received. As a parent i was part of the class group thing until they wasted money on over the top bunches of flowers and random expensive jewellery that the teacher hated (i asked her many months later!)

Daisygivemeyouranswerdo · 13/12/2023 19:15

Costa / Starbucks gift card! 2 x coffees or hot chocolates. I always think most never want ‘best teacher’ plaques or mugs with it on (do people thing they have a wall at home dedicated?!)

This way it isn’t stuff but something useful and reasonably fun for the budget

Notchangingnameagain · 13/12/2023 19:22

I don’t buy teachers gifts anymore but when I did, I bought Lottery Tickets & Scratch cards.

2mummies1baby · 13/12/2023 19:53

stargirl1701 · 13/12/2023 16:34

Personally, nothing! A hand made card from the child I am teaching is far more meaningful.

If you must, I have begun suggesting over the last few years that you could buy children's books from charity shops for my class library.

If you really must, a book token.

I love that idea! (Re: books for the class library.) Definitely going to do that if a parent ever asks me what I want.

2mummies1baby · 13/12/2023 19:54

CurlewKate · 13/12/2023 19:09

I always used to give school related Oxfam gifts. There are only so many best teacher mugs you can eat.

Another lovely idea.

Sproutier · 13/12/2023 20:02

"Honestly, I really love the card. Bought or made as not every child is a natural artist."

@Tooshytoshine I just wanted to say "thank you" for seeing that a hand made card is a higher bar for some than for others, and not possible for all. We do appreciate what our son's teachers do, notwithstanding our failure to tick the hand made box.

BurbageBrook · 13/12/2023 20:10

When I was a teacher, a card was plenty. A £2 box of chocs would always be very much appreciated, too-- nothing lavish needed! One of the sweetest gifts I got was a slightly squashed chocolate bar from a tough student. Honestly the appreciation from the child matters most and a card is a great way to show that. A child once made me a handmade framed picture which I've treasured as well.