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.

Teacher here. Happy to accept wine, chocolate and gift vouchers although of course I don’t expect anything at all.

it’s true about mugs. Every few years I have to give them away because my cupboards won’t close anymore. Same with scented candles. Can’t burn them quick enough!

Please don't presume to speak for all teachers. At DS's school we club together to buy teachers and support staff Amazon vouchers, so they can choose something they want, as well as a group card with messages of thanks from all. The staff seem to be really appreciative, and I shan't be refraining from organising it just because a random MNetter isn't keen.

Ungrateful much ? Let people get what they want and be thankful you are appreciated 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I think there's 2 camps in teaching. I love a handmade card or a picture and anyone who recognises my TAs equally is golden in my view. A large gift voucher makes me feel odd though I'm grateful. I'd be happy to have a ban on gifts for staff.

Some of my colleagues start prepping their class weeks before, telling them their fav chocs, coffee, perfume etc. they also advertise their birthday well in advance which makes me uncomfortable.

If you do a group collection, a bottle for each of the office staff would have us weeping with joy! We cover your arse all year getting messages and looking after kids not picked up on time, helping out and often get zilch. It's the most unexpected families that remember us, not the ones who are there every day asking for help

I gave books for the class/school library.

My girls always made a card and put a freddo frog in it. That they had bought themselves, especially for their teacher.

The teachers would make it seem like the finest present they ever had.

We do vouchers. That is the best thing to gift imo. It doesn't need to be a lot but if you spend 5 pounds on mugs you can contribute that instead.

When teaching I received a front row ticket to the Ballet at covent garden. And I bloody loved it.

I’m a teacher - never expect gifts but it’s always so nice when I receive a couple at the end of the year!

DDs teacher is usually given a massive hamper in what seems like competitive gift giving from some parents. I think its inappropriate to give alcohol, money, or free services at your own business etc because I think it leads crossing of boundaries and favouritism.

I think the school should put out a note suggesting 'cards only'.

Offs! Every year about teacher gifts! Teachers are actually normal people- some people like mugs, some chocolate, some are allergic to diary, some like flowers and some people love “cheap” wine, others vodka! Who knows! A gift shows appreciation and I’m sure if a teacher gets something they don’t like, they don’t stress about it and donate or regift it but they enjoy the sentiment attached to it!

I love getting anything tbh and it has never made me show any favouritism towards any kid ever.

So, not everyone then, just selected people.

Those are nice gifts.

Cheesy mugs and Pinterest projects are not. Also it's embarrassing for the parents that they make the junk projects and not the kids.

Also I feel sorry for them with all the personalised tat they can't even donate.

She’s not a teacher

I'm a teacher. I love it when the class have a collection and I get a voucher and a nice card. That is amazing. My colleagues also really appreciate a voucher too. As a parent I also love contributing to a class collection as it usually works out cheaper (if there is a teacher and 1 or 2 classroom assistants) and I know the teacher will appreciate a voucher that he or she can spend on whatever they like. 🎉 It's a real treat. As much as we appreciate all the wee gifts I hate waste and I feel guilty having a pile of stuff I won't use and I then try to give them away. I still have mugs, hand cream and candles falling out of cupboards (first world problems I know). I do love cupcakes and chocolate though and I have kept some wee thoughtful gifts and cards I've received.

So someone sits down and puts lots of effort into creating something for you, they spend their personal time attempting to create a gift for you that comes from the heart, and you call it junk?

Christ. I hope all people do buy you is cheap bottles of wine, because quite frankly you don’t deserve the gift of someone’s time and hard work at all.

Piano teacher here, the whole gift thing took me completely by surprise when I first started, it certainly wasn’t a thing when I was young. But I am so very grateful for every lovely thing I’ve received over the years. Every year I have enjoyed bottles of wine from a wide range of price and who cares, it’s lovely that people care to bring something, I toast my student and the work and enjoyment they have gained over the year, I don’t eat sugar but I love seeing my husband enjoying gifts of things I would never buy him. I certainly don’t expect things and I would be mortified if people bought things because they feel they should, or couldn’t afford and I genuinely don’t think i deserve anything. But every year I hang some of the beautiful decorations I’ve been gifted over the years onto my Christmas tree I remember the student who gifted it.

so to everyone out there, please don’t ever feel obligated or pressured but rest assured most teachers appreciate everything they receive and remember them with love💐

Great idea!
Some children have parents who are unable to afford a gift. Desperately sad to have a small child tell you they wish they could have bought a present but Mummy or Daddy can't afford it.

Yes!
That's what I thought!
😁

I’m happy to have as much alcohol as anyone else won’t drink……

Don't be so bloody rude. If a child gives me a bottle of wine that isn't to my taste, then I'm not going to bitch about it. And frankly, plenty of people like those things.

Well, I tip my hairdresser when I'm already paying them for their work, so why not teachers, I suppose.
Where does it stop though?
Hmm...

"Thank you, vicar - lovely service!" <tucks £10 note into surplice>

I loved gifts from children! My favourites were personalised notebooks, pencils and a pencil case with my name embroidered by the child.

I kept all the cards I was given, and the drawings.

I never got a teacher mug, but I did get a lovely one with a hare on (I like hares).

My friend (who was also my son’s teacher) was given vouchers for an outdoor store from us all when our kids left. He still wears the RAB gilet he bought with them, and mentions it every time we go walking 😁.