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.

Good advice.
I used to give my kids' teachers a bunch of flowers at random times during the school term
Never at the end of the school year

Sarcastic.
People don't notice you on their journey though ITU. Hence the "busy being nearly dead" part.
I absolutely didn't expect anything when doing that job. I'm now a bit fed up with feeling mugged for tips for teachers.
As I've said, anything done above and beyond their job I'm more likely than most to reward.
But, when it gets to the point that collections are being held for vouchers or spa days as a matter of course just because it's the end of the year. I'll hand over my money but I'll see it as nothing other than tipping the postie at Christmas.
Happy to have my money back if that's not acceptable.

They should accept the gifts with good grace. It's called being polite.

Totally agree

This is hilarious. I can only the imagine the teacher smiling politely while thinking WTF!

For our kids teachers the whole class gave £5 each and they got them a gift card.

I hate threads like this. It makes it seem like all teachers/TAs are ungrateful.

Not true. At all.

I'm a TA. In the last few weeks I've had a homemade key chain, a homemade bracelet, and a small bunch of picked flowers that a child collect on their way to school.

I am grateful and cherish any gift I receive from one of my children.

I will keep that key chain and bracelet forever.

I don't drink but I'd still be grateful for a bottle of wine. It's the thought that counts and shows that a child/parent thinks enough of you.

The children at my school come from very poor and deprived backgrounds so any gift is gratefully received, cheap or homemade, it will be cherished and appreciated - whatever it is.

I usually do candles, or biscuits/chocs because TA friend tOld me that most teachers leave them in the staff room and everyone shares, which is fine by me. This year dd is leaving primary school so will probs give something more substantial, just need to think what.
ds16 who has asd has had a challenging time at school and he’s had a team supporting him since year 7, once since before he transitioned from year 6. I will get them some sort of gift card because they’ve put up with him that whole time. The probably can’t wait to get rid of him 😂

The people don't but I am sure / hope the families do. If they don't, I am sorry that recognition isn't shown for your important work.

Greydiamond

I am sorry that recognition isn't shown for your important work.

That's kind of you, but it's not the point I was trying to make.
I did my job back then because it was my job and I felt absolutely recognised. I knew from talking to families that I'd done well.
I certainly didn't think "Well, I like coffee/chocolate/wine/spa days".
I do like them, obviously, but that's not the point.

If it's now the thing to give teachers something over and above their wages, fine. I'll give it, but I see it as a tip. Or, worse, an automatically charged gratuity.
I'll pay it but I would rather tip extra because of good service rather than because "everyone does".

The only time we have ever given a gift, is for a teacher that brought her own books in to school for the kids to lend as the library was limited. We bought a book token to say thank you. Both the teacher cried, she was so touched we acknowledge what she had done. By her reaction noone else had done that 😟

I'm so glad you said that! I despair at parents who buy this stuff. I think it's actually quite self centered to think that gift is going to be special to that teacher and not realise they have taught 30 kids every year for many years and must be so bored of it. And how can they not realise that the planet doesn't need any more tat?

I'm very grateful to my DC's teachers and think they do an amazing job but unless it's a voucher they can use for something they actually want/need or a thoughtful card, please, please just don't.

I’ve never given a teacher gift, I just don’t get it? I remember my Mum trying herself in knots over what to give our teachers at the end of term and she thinks I am the worst person ever for not giving my DC’s teachers gifts but I find the whole thing weird.

DH’s side of the family are all teachers and they don’t seem fussed either way, I don’t think they expect anything.

This is rude and the assumption that you speak for all teachers is condescending.
I’ve received little gifts over the years which are touching and so kind.

But why do you feel you speak for everyone?
We receive the odd gift at Christmas etc and can assure you that they are appreciated and touching. Biscuits and chocolates etc are often shared in the staff room, which is even nicer. Of course we get things that aren’t wanted, but still appreciate the thought and rehome appropriately.

Maybe if it was personalised they might like it https://cantocandle.com/product/thank-you-candle/

A retired teacher here. While I would have been more than content with a thank you card, I would never call the small gifts I've had over the years as crap. Not even the many many boxes of chocolate when I don't like the stuff.

The shops pushing this is another thing entirely.

Charming 🤨

I love a gift to say thanks. I’ve always given gifts for my dc’s teachers too.
If you can afford a gift or card (homemade is lovely), please do. It’s nice to feel appreciated.

I remember we had a teacher once who told us at the start of the year, "just letting you all know, if you're ever getting me a gift, I love clarins" 😂
Then everyone or most would contribute a fiver or tenner or whatever it was and she'd get a clarins hamper.
I guess some would say it's cheeky but it's surely better than getting a load of crap you don't want.

Think it might have been last year a teacher posted on here if she was unreasonable to ask parents to get money back for hamper gift she couldn't eat. Most the items in it had nut's she had a nut allergy. But she was a single parent struggling to pay the mortgage and feed her DC.

@Waffle78 I said about that thread earlier.
People were saying she was totally ungrateful - but she literally couldn't use it - not just dislike it.
You wouldn't buy a blind person a car and expect them to be grateful. I felt sorry for that teacher.

I’m a teacher and I never say no to gifts. The best gifts are the handmade ones Imo, knowing that little person you have taught all year has sat and made me something makes it so special and they love to present it to you, I have a stacking box full with the handmade cards and gifts.
I also love the Wine albeit “Echo Falls” and the chocs. 😋

My most memorable one was bubble bath in a bottle shaped like a knight in armour. I knew the child had chosen it himself, and I also felt proud because I knew that he had chosen to give me a present he would have loved to have been given himself. Thank you Matthew!

The bourbons were a lovely present!

A teacher friend and I both have a "candle drawer" full of candles we're never likely to use. Do like chocolate though! (especially if there wasn't much time for lunch).