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?

Voucher in a handmade (by child) card is lovely

I teach a very large class and there is just no way I can hang on to or consume all the gifts / food that I receive.

Re: crafts, I can't keep up with DC's crafted goodies, let alone all of my 'other kids'. So they are disposed of, very discretely... I just don't have the space to keep them. It doesn't mean that I don't take a moment with each child to appreciate the time and effort they have put into their work.

And also, after getting to know some of the families, there is no way that I would ever eat something that they had made. Ever. But again, I would exclaim, be delighted, thank them and then quietly dispose of the items.

However, none of them know that and I will never tell them. Mugs go into the staff room. I always share food/plants/flowers/chocolate/wine/candles with my neighbours, or regift (to my DC's teachers.

I always keep the sentimental cards. I received one this morning from a student who has really struggled, with wobbly hand writing, saying that I always make her smile. It made my eyes leak. It's going in my 'smile file'.

Catholic school, there are always candles burning 😄

Not a teacher but all the parents in my DDs have put £5 in to split between the main teacher and classroom assistant, as it’s a class of 30 they are each getting a £75 M&S voucher

@mineallmine 👏 👏!!

Great response!

No H&S on the altar and no altar servers deaths as far as I'm aware!

Teachers do not expect presents and its definitely the thought that counts. Something hand made by the child is a treasure.

Honestly, felt tip pens... The children love them and there are never enough!

as a teacher you would be amazed to know that those handmade cards end up pride of place on the mantelpiece.

Last year i was very organised and bought lovely candles/bath oil and those reed scent bottle things from Oliver Bonus and The White Company for half price so i'm pretty happy with those gifts.
Another daughter - a few of us get together and bought prosecco and chops for the TA and m and s vouchers for the teacher.

This week I’ve had cards with the sweetest messages from children in my class and a bracelet (the ones with the coloured elastic bands) in my favourite colour, so much love from these wonderful little humans I get to spend my days with.
Chocolate and candles are my favourite thing to receive (in general, not specifically from students). I hate coffee so Costa vouchers would be a no.

Nicest present ever was an insulated camping rucksack for food to go in a normal rucksack but I’m involved with doing the D of E and give up most of my Easter to do it. One pupil noticed my sandwiches etc were always warm as I never ate them until about 3 pm, another child in that D of E group gave the dog a lovely portable dog bed for the minibus made out of his mums blankets that she wasn’t using - I love that bed!! I have a black lab and providing all the kids and parents are happy he comes with us.

I also had a lovely parent notice a dent in my car and he was a car body portable fixer guy and said ‘do you mind if you sort your dent as a thank you’ - that was pretty high up the top.

I keep every single letter and card from kids and parents though and my favourite one says ‘Miss, every time I couldn’t, you said maybe you can’t but WE can together. Every time I cried you gave me a tissue and said ‘I’m on your team you aren’t on your own’. Every time I doubted myself you nodded and said that’s why I’m here. I wasn’t alone in my gcse exam - you were there beside me saying deep breath, read the paper, read the question. What are they asking, underline the key words, imagine your subject hat on your head and use your subject words. I said I can get a C and you said A - you are right, I was wrong. I love you, Olivia’ it’s a heartfelt scruffy plain card and I love it and sits on my desk and reminds me why I do my job.

That’s so lovely and I’m lucky enough to believe it - all 4 of my kids have or have had teachers that genuinely seemed to care for them. Hence why the gifts are important to me to try and reflect some of my appreciation.

I am doing a JL voucher for her main teacher and a costa voucher for the music, gym and TA teachers. A bit impersonal but I figured they would be better received than another mug/candle.

I don't buy gifts for ours but if I did I would buy for the office staff as they are the unsung heroes in my eyes, definitely at our school.

Definitely a card with a note in. Much more memorable than something like chocolates

I'm a teacher at an independent and have to admit I looooove vouchers. John Lewis or similar is just so helpful in the run up to Christmas. But I totally also understand that most people don't have loads of money, and when I worked in the state sector I never would have expected gifts from the kids.

For any teachers reading - advice needed please.

For my DD y1 teacher I have bought a silver bracelet from Not On the High Street. Sterling silver but only £15. I know she wears silver bracelets. Is this too much ? I just didn't want to go down the usual chocolate route.

For the TA, a nice pair of gloves from a nice garden centre.

Too much ? Shall I get a coffee voucher or book tokens instead ?

This sounds lovely and thoughtful. I'm sure that they will be delighted.

I definitely agree with a personal email or card. That means a lot. For my children’s teachers, we set up a class collection. Give what you can, then get the teacher(s) John Lewis vouchers, which I think they appreciate…

I also had a lovely parent notice a dent in my car and he was a car body portable fixer guy and said ‘do you mind if you sort your dent as a thank you’ - that was pretty high up the top.

This is fabulous, @Rocksonabeach !

@Curioushorse ❤️

It’s great if parents can get together to get vouchers , but boxes of chocs/ shortbread, and of course wine always appreciated. Presents are really lovely, but when money is tight it’s absolutely true that a card written by / drawn by a child and a few well chosen words of appreciation are always equally welcome. Just please no mugs!!!

I think it's a good idea.
Some teachers may be teetotal and prefer to not have alcohol, others may be vegan or have allergies so not want chocolates etc.
Having talked to teachers they have always said they don't expect any gifts but if a parent really wants then a nice plant, some soap, nice socks, diffuser, tin of biscuits etc. are always appreciated. A portable flask is always going to be used as well.

Bluetack! I swear the kids eat it.

I only teach KS4 and KS5 so I get very few Xmas presents but I cherish each and every message from students and their parents. I get more at the end of the year, mainly jokey, subject related stuff from the leavers. That's always lovely.

I do . I buy for ours Christmas, Easter and at the end of the academic year in July. I love our school and they are all amazing.