To not want to contribute to this madness? Christmas teacher gifting experiences

[lostintherhythagain]

DD is only 4! And not yet reception age

Her little nursery has about 15 in total who are her age.

Parents in the WhatsApp group have been discussing some people not paying up for experience day for teachers AND the staff take away

They want £15 each per family from us so the teacher and support staff can have a spa day. And then money for a take away (they’ll just give them cash in a card) for the end of Christmas school time, before they break up, to have a take away delivered as the staff don’t go home same time as the children obviously

AIBU not to contribute? I never said I’d do it. Not sure if there’s anyone else not contributing

One parent has got the teacher and her child’s TA a personalised bauble. With her DC’s face in it?!?! Utter madness

I have gifted a box of chocolates and didn’t plan to spend anymore.

The best gift a teacher / TA gets? A hand drawn card, doesn’t matter the ability it’s the thought and we love them.

On y6 leavers day my dd's teacher's room looked like a florist, she had about 10 of the same potted plants from M&S, bouquets and about another 10 Best Teacher mugs from Home Bargains. I felt sorry for her thinking about where she was going to put it all. The other Y6 teacher had sent out a message to politely say no gifts and if anyone wanted to make a donation instead to the class resource fund. I really liked that idea.

When I worked in a nursery the gifts I really appreciated were the ones the children got involved with. A scribbled drawing of me, an attempt to join the dots to sign their name on a card. One that I absolutely loved was when a parent of twin boys produced some bookmarks, they were photos printed on a home printer, laminated and cut to bookmark shape. She had some very cheeky expressions which summed up the boys personalities perfectly. She apologised that she couldn't afford more when she handed them over but I used mine for years remembering the children each time I looked at it.

As an Early Years practitioner, I'm tickled pink to receive a card! I would not want a spa day... I'm busy!

The bauble thing is absolutely insane. Who are these people that think it's a good idea?! I don't even have baubles with my own children's faces on my tree!

"One parent has got the teacher and her child’s TA a personalised bauble. With her DC’s face in it?!?! Utter madness"😂😂😂

This

Laws? Policies maybe. It’s not likely that £15pp will exceed the policy maximum!!

As a teacher, I love receiving gifts. I appreciate being appreciated. I work really hard and go over and above.

As a parent of 2 nursery aged children who have 7 members of staff that work directly
with them… Each gets a card, £25 JL voucher and a chocolate Lindt reindeer. I appreciate their care for my children, they go over and above.

Yes it’s quite expensive but it’s less than we pay for a day. I do the same at the end of the year.

I loved getting homemade cards created by the children and/ or appreciative messages from the parents. A thank you from parents is great to hear.
One of the best gifts was some bulbs to plant that come up every year - reminding me often of lovely children and great moments at school. Not expensive but very thoughtful!

Genuinely? Leave the WhatsApp group. No one will die. Just bin it. Our parents managed without this tomfoolery.

My 3 DC are all out of primary school now but I never bought teachers presents. Ever. Guess what? They all got a great education and I got on well with all their teachers.

Also ask yourself if men would do this.

Honestly don't get involved. Dd teacher who honestly has been amazing ..a box of chocolate biscuits..thinking her family with children would enjoy them and dd made a Christmas card using her best handwriting and drew a picture on the card which is something special that this teacher has taught dd.

Every year in the class WhatsApp we have class reps and they collect 20 pound for each child for Xmas and then 20 pound for last day of school at the start of the year ...its been happening since my daughter was 4 and she's 9 now in a different area and 2 different schools still seems to be the case

It's a hard no, ridiculous

Teacher here 🫡. A staff spa day, holy God, no! A bauble with child's face, I can't think of something I'd want less! Completely narcissistic thinking that a teacher would want your child's face on their tree.
A thoughtful card would be soooo much more appreciated! A box of chocs/bottle of wine is a bonus. If parents pool their contributions to get you a voucher, it's amazing but not expected.
Pooling money to get a 'thoughtful' gift that means giving up a day of holidays to spend with your colleagues is so far from anything a teacher would like! Who are these people?!

Can I ask if you tip waitresses or hairdressers? Just wondering, not trying to stir anything up.

I contribute to the end of year collection in the summer.

however I don’t contribute to the Christmas collection for teachers gifts. They are doing a job, not volunteering. No one buys me a Christmas present for just doing my job???

My mum and dad were both teachers, my best friend is a teacher. They would 100% prefer the chocolates. As a parent I can't imagine anything more smug than gifting a teacher a bauble with my kids face on it. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Safeguarding means the bauble would be handed back or disposed of quietly. It’s creepy.

just say you have done your own thing. I hope you aren’t going to the same primary school as these mad parents. Or you’re stuck with them

I get that point of view but I don't think people realise what's going on behind the scenes. As a teacher, I spend at least £500 of my own money a year on art supplies, treats, prizes etc. that school doesn't refund me. I spend countless out of work hours doing things for kids like sewing up and stuffing dolls they've knit, publishing books they've written, making props and costumes for the school play at my own expense etc. Many teachers go above and beyond so I don't think it's the same thing.

And they do it because it makes your children feel happy, valued and important.

😂😂😂That made me laugh out loud. And gave me a very creepy visual! 😆

I suppose it is nice to recognise those teachers who have gone above and beyond. They don't get paid enough for what they do, and some make a huge difference in children's lives. Some also buy some of the supplies stickers/little prizes/biscuits for the children which I don't think a lot of parents realise.

I just get a token gift like chocs, or a tin of biscuits (tin also doubles up as storage), and a handwritten card wishing a happy Christmas. We even had teachers that contribute to the children's Christmas buffets, and just make it extra special for them.
At the end of the year I'll get similar, but if a teacher has been extra amazing, I'll email the headteacher.

So lovely that you take the time to email the head. That really does mean a lot.

For my daughter’s teacher and TA the parents just each put a tenner in and buy one of those voucher cards that can be spent in a few places. So much easier than buying a gift every Christmas/end of year and more useful than endless chocolates I suppose

Tight as cramp 🤣