Teachers don’t want Thank You Teacher gifts

[Graveltone]

Even though schools have 5-8 weeks of term left, the shops have various TYT gifts such as mugs, coasters, keyrings etc. Teachers do not want this crap! Charity shops near me have numerous TYT mugs and crap on sale!

My friend is a teacher and parents have been told not to give gifts. Teachers don’t want 30 mugs, boxes of chocolate, alcohol (that is embarrassing if teacher doesn’t drink for various reasons) etc. Nor want flowers - don’t have enough vases at home to house 30 bunches of flowers.

Friend’s school accepts cards and hm gifts.

Think before you spend your money on your DC’s teachers.

A handmade card from a child is more appreciated than I think anyone will ever realise.

Good of you to be elected Teacher Spokespersons, when you're not even a teacher yourself to boot!

My mum is a teacher and adores gifts from students, especially handmade ones. She's been given handmade bookmarks, painted cups, pictures. She keeps them and can tell you about each child who has made them. She also likes wine, flowers and chocolate.

I make no secret of my love for all things coffee related and I got some amazing coffee related gifts last year! Travel mugs, costa and Starbucks vouchers, packs of actual coffee - all gratefully received and used!

It’s just a way for some parents to remind others that they’ve got more money. And some teachers use it to lord their way over others.
If I was a headteacher, I’d only allow handmade cards. Speaking as an ex teacher

i ont remember ever getting my teachers gifts just commercialism

I disagree. I've had three lovely gifts this week - all of them from students rather than parents, all chosen with great thought, and all much appreciated. Not one of them would mean anything to anyone who hasn't spent two years in my class. It's not a competition.

Personally I am very pleased with chocolate or a costa voucher. But I’d never expect it.

This is something I don’t understand. The support staff spend as much time with the children, if not more. It’s really mean spirited to exclude them.

This is so sad. Those gifts often come from the heart. Which other profession would you get up to 30 children and parents wanting to give you a token of thanks for shaping their child’s future? My DC1 started school a couple of years ago and I’ve been blown away by the kindness of their teachers. They are so special and it’s a job I 100% could not do! DC has written them all a card (teachers and TA’s) every year and we’ve given them a small gift. I gave them some nice reed diffusers last year and I know friends who have given equally thoughtful gifts.

I have many friends who are teachers and yes, they do sometimes have a hallway full of chocolate after the last day of school but they’re always so grateful and appreciative I cannot understand your hardened and cynical post. If you are indeed a teacher yourself and you feel this strongly then please try and find a way of communicating this to parents ahead of time.

I am a teacher and I feel I must add the note of 'I cannot speak for every teacher' for those that may be pedantic about me sharing my opinion

Thank you notes, cards, pictures - are always appreciated

I am not a fan (and talks around the staff room indicate i am not the only one) of things like:- A mug, coaster, keyring - all that type regurgitated card factory type stuff - gets pooled in a box the school office, and one of us does a charity shop run.

Just to get the etiquette right: is there anybody these days that doesn't get a tip for their services?
I'm used to waiters, hairdressers, the paper boy, the dustmen, teachers, posties...
Have I missed out anyone I should be slipping a tenner - or equivalent present - to?

I always appreciate the fact someone has thought of me, regardless of what the gift is. I love thank you cards. Sometimes the job can feel pretty thankless so a card with a nice message in really makes the world of difference. I have kept every single one over my career and will continue to do so.

I love thank you gifts. I'm a teacher. I rarely get any!

I ❤️ that this poster never came back 😂

She's gone shopping to buy us all a mug

We do a class present with ten pound donation, half goes to the TA and the other half to the teacher. As it’s a big class we typically get vouchers for somewhere like the white company.

But in addition I always take time to write a personal note to show our appreciation.

Well your friend teachers sound like a bunch of ungrateful sods. Oh poor me, I got too many presents this year 😭

I just find it really embarrassing. Mums carrying massive bouquets of flowers across the playground and making a show of the whole thing.

Cards with their names and a message are best because you can keep them.
I once received a sampler from a girl. Round the borders she had stitched books and pens and in the centre a message about a teacher's influence and underneath that her name. That was the.best ever. And it's.still hanging on my study wall.

Yes that sounds ridiculous but I don't see the problem with a child handing their teacher a box of chocolates and a card. I certainly would not start moaning about it, just seems ungrateful.

Speak for yourself. I love a gift. I don't care how small or inexpensive it is, it's truly the thought that counts. I spend money on the kids all year - Xmas gifts, food for parties, popcorn for movies, prizes to encourage things like reading, stickers to put on their work, hot chocolate on cold mornings, toast for the kids who are hungry on arrival, toys for wet playtimes, loads of things. And I love it when a kid gives me a little gift at the end of the year. I take them all home and love opening them. I live alone and I love this on the last day. I eat and drink everything, enjoy the mugs, use the keyrings. I know I'm supposed to say that you shouldn't bother but I'm anonymous on here so am telling the truth - I love them.

Speak for yourself OP!
I'd love any of it and am grateful to any students who buy owt for me.

One year everyone in my class clubbed together and I got a voucher. I cried, at the planning that had gone into it. I felt appreciated and noticed. Teaching is a bit thankless most of the time - colleagues and children rarely say well done and parents usually only want a word if there's something wrong. The parent who organised it said everyone gave what they wanted - some £1 and some £20 - but everyone's name went on the card, even the ones who didn't contribute at all, so all the children could feel a part of it. It was lovely.

Differentstarts

I just find it really embarrassing. Mums carrying massive bouquets of flowers across the playground and making a show of the whole thing.

OMG, yes!
And that sash and the tiara that keeps slipping over your eyes...

Hang on.
I'm getting Miss World mixed up with real life again, aren't I?
Don't worry, I'll just shove the obligatory card ("Mum! Everybody else is giving one! I've got to!") and book token (can't hurt) across and push off.

Oh now I've read more of the thread I can see that some people are angry about it.

But who else, outside your family, spends money on your child? I bet your child's teacher has spent more than £3-4 on each child in their class this year so surely you don't begrudge a box of biscuits or something.