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.

Clubbing together to give a gift voucher? That's always appreciated!
My DD used to make fudge or peppermint creams dipped in chocolate. That always went down well. One year we gave chutney from our own apples. They loved that!
But yes, 'favourite teacher' mugs - ugh!
(Where I grew up you were not allowed to give gifts to public employees).

I've kept every thank you card a student or parent ever sent to me. The wine disappeared more quickly. 😉

An Amazon voucher is good because if the teacher doesn't want to use it for themselves they can order supplies for school or simply regift.

My DS gave his Maths teacher a bottle of Scotch after he had taught him for 7 years and he told the class it was the best gift from a student he had received. He said he usually got wine and his wife drank it because he wasn't keen. 2 more bottles of Scotch came his way on results day from other students who remembered his comment.

I gave a drama teacher cinema tickets. I don't think he minded.

Why not? His teachers to date have all been young women who obviously take a lot of care of their appearance. We have a Space NK nearby, and £50 will get them something nice. They could even buy a candle or some handwash or whatever if they don't want perfume or cosmetics. Why shouldn't I show my appreciation that way? Are you honestly thinking the teachers are unhappy about it?

We always buy Amazon vouchers seems to go down well

When did giving gifts to teachers begin?. I most certainly never did it nor do my daughters even now, and one of them is a teacher. My

I work in a school and believe me we appreciate every bottle of wine 😂

Handmade cards or a simple thank you note is my favourite, it means we’ve done a good job and that matters the most.

Even all the key rings, note pads etc are appreciated because we don’t expect anything so when we receive a gift it means we’ve been thought of. I had a parent a few years ago who was severely struggling financially but she went and bought 6 members of staff a box of milk tray from the pound shop. That meant the world to us because we knew not only what a huge sacrifice that was for her financially but that we meant enough to her for to choose to do that.

@Bemusedandconfusedagain I've vaguely heard the name Space NK but no clue what they sell.
What do they sell?
Out of curiosity.

I think it should be done with not increasing landfill.
I gave the teachers hollyhock seeds one year and dd2 decorated the little envelopes.
They are all getting avocado plants this year that we grew on the windowsill.

I always buy a big tub of wrapped chocolates and I put a big label on it saying 'thanks to all the non teaching staff' about a week before the end of tel so they have a chance to eat them

My friend loves it but never expects it. Her primary class put £50 behind the till at her local Chinese takeaway, they know she loves Thai/Japanese/Chinese food and she will regularly see parents when she's picking up food. She was so shocked but loved it as they didn't have to cook that last night of term and could just put her feet up. She's not a big fan of alcohol but will graciously accept, and then pass it on to friends, the kids know this now (checkout parent in the supermarket noting she doesn't buy wine but buys fancy hot chocolate) and last year got her posh hot chocolate and fancy biscuits. Many years before that she worked in a private international school abroad and was given a very expensive watch as a thank you she declined it at first but it was from a Saudi high up type parent that became a little offended my friend saw it as her job but the family were so impressed with how well she had got through to their children he wanted to reward her and after discussing with the head and going through all the declaration stuff she accepted it. She received many other things like gold necklaces, shopping vouchers for £500, First class flight home, the other teacher she lived with at the time stayed on there got a brand new Mercedes car.

High end makeup, perfumes, bath and body stuff, expensive candles, that sort of thing. So a good gift for someone who is into that sort of thing.

@Bemusedandconfusedagain thanks.
Does sound nice if you like that sort of thing 🙂

I plan on making a load of tablet for DS teachers and teaching assistants as they raved about the batch I made for a school fundraiser.

Combined with some nice teabags and coffee for a wee break room hamper.

I started school in 1978 and my mum always got me gifts to give the teacher at Christmas and end of the year

we always do a collection and buy a joint food hamper/theatre/book voucher. It always goes down very well. We also usually ask office staff to find out what the teachers and TA’s prefer.

No! That’s so rude! I’m primary school teacher and I love gifts! Chocolates, flowers, homemade stuff is wonderful too. My family love it when I come home from school at the end of term!! Plus I don’t expect anything whatsoever. You sound very sure you’re talking for all teachers!! You’re not.

I often think this, I hate cheap tat but I also think homemade gifts are a little cringe. Sometimes I see people have made things encouraging teachers to remember their child, like they haven't taught thousands of kids over their career

When did this custom creep in? I don't remember anybody doing it when I was at school in the 1960s.

I have wonderful cards from my many years in teaching which I treasure. I used to come home at Christmas or end of the school year with a boot full of chocolate and wine which was much appreciated. Then parents clubbed together and I recieved very generous gift vouchers and I always used them to buy a lovely item, Roberts radio, lamps, clock etc. Now retired. Teaching is a very demanding job and any cards/gifts are so appreciated.

Brilliant - totally bonkers but I love the idea of a person who thinks, I know; a hamster would be just perfect for Miss Roberts’ end of year gift. 😂

I know someone who was given a goldfish.

I still have the own brand pot noodle I was given by a year 11 leaver. He left 9 years ago. I smile when I see it in the cupboard.

I'm gonna become a teacher! Free goldfish, hamsters, booze, flowers, mugs, book vouchers. hampers, high street vouchers, you've got it made you teachers. Stop whingeing about shit!

#joking! I know you do a stellar job!

I've never had a space NK voucher though. I'm going to put in a complaint.

(Wouldn't have a clue what to do with one. I much prefer my collection of mugs)