to not buy teachers/TAs /secretaries a xmas present

[yummyyummyyummy]

and just thank them and wish them a merry christmas instead ?

Ps I am a parent not their headteacher!

YANBU.

My kids teachers got diddly squat this year, i could just about manage to get my kids some pressies! None of the adults in my family will get anything either and everyone understands.

So no, YANBU

Not at all! I'm not sure when this crazy practice started, but I've never participated.

YANBU, they do not expect it. Well if they do, then it doesn't say much for them. I am a teacher and if someone gets me a present to be honest I am a little embarassed. It is lovely, but I would rather they spent the money on their own kids.

Never done it either. They were all there this am at pre-school giving the ladies their cards and pressies and I just smiled, said Merry Christmas and went home. The world didn't end.

I have about 456 nieces, nephews and cousins so that's quite enough to be dealing with in the old pressie department ta very much.

Of course YANBU - I always do because I choose to and can afford it, and want to, but I am sure they don't expect it and would not think anything because you don't.

And when I think of all the gifts we gave to teachers at my DS1 school, which I am sure were much appreciated, I know that none of them are as appreciated or as remembered as the personal note he wrote to his cricket coach at the end of 8 years, thanking Mr Cricket for coaching him and teaching him so much and for giving him a chance to play in the team although he wasn't the technically best player, but just had lots of heart and spirit. I happen to know that Mr Cricket cried when he read it and still has it on his mantelpiece 18 months later.

So don't worry about gifts - a heartfelt Merry Christmas is all that is needed!

YANBU - you can do whatever you want

YADNBU I am a teacher and am always amazed at the stuff some parents send in, a Merry Christmas from the children is what I look forward to more.

YANBU!

I have bought DD2's nursery teachers a little something each but only because they have done some tremendous work with her (she was very shy and had deferred speech when she started but has really come along leaps and bounds) and I wanted to let them know I was grateful for their efforts.

Usually the children make their teachers a card or a cake.

Christmas is such an expensive time, there really is no need to make it even harder by adding on people who you only know through their job.

YANBU, I am a TA (well on Mat leave at mo)

I really don't want people to buy me presents, I'm not sure why some parents feel the need to at all. I know they are just being really kind but a kind word and a Merry Christmas is just as much appreciated

I am a part-time TA and also do lunchtime cover. I was amazed at getting presents from my lunchtime class. One little boy this morning came in with 3 presents for each of the TA's in my class (that includes me), plus the office staff and the headmaster.

YANBU btw!

I wrote cards which DS drew in for his teachers (nursery school) because they had been extremely kind to him and helped him way more than I could have expected. I am very grateful and did want them to know. I also contributed to the collection for them (organised by a mum).

YANBU, I contribute to joint presents from the class. I find that to be the best solution. If parents want to and can afford to buy presents then there is no problem,however, if they feel pressured to do so then that IS a problem.

YANBU as a teacher (phew just broken up) I am sometimes embarrased by all the presents. It is not expected at all please don't feel you have to.

I'll just make a note of your childs name and get revenge next term (joke!!!!!)

Mine got homemade gifts this timearound, in the ,main anyway (ds1's1-1 deserves a fortune but got a simple gift)

Cookie ingredient in a jar type things

It is expected at our school i'vetold the tales on MN before but the oldlollipoplady used to just pop a box by the roadside for her gifts, the HEad just took hers from ds1 off himand didn't say thanks, and at Infants the gifts were swapped for pre-printed generic thank you notes.

But I would applaud anyone who decided to buck the trend, esp. if their family were struggling atm.We are a bit (redundancy of dh in May) but the only reason they got them is that my kids are extra work (all on extra help, 2statemented and 21 SA) so I feel grateful for the extra care they are shown

Its personal choice as to who you give gifts to at christmas, I buy for school staff but lots dont. Just as some limit to children in the family and others buy for all family members etc.

Its not really a question of finances.I just feel it's so unnecessary .A little undermining their professionalism and also a bit like I'm trying to kiss up to them.I'm not saying that anyone is trying to do that.But I just feel a thankyou and a merry christmas is more appropriate

It can get a bit out of hand if your child has several teachers or TAs.

The easiest, and highly appreciated, thing to do is to buy a box of biscuits for the staff room.

Term is over now, but some biscuits would be a lovely welcome back present in the new year.

But you really don't have to do anything. I only contribute because my DDs all have a class mum who collects money. I don't do anything for my DSs' teachers, and never have done. My problem is more lack of organisation than anything else.

oh I am annoyed at myself after reading this!

DD1 started school this year so wasn't sure of Christmas present etiquette. Having spoke to other mum's who were getting presents I thought I'd better get something as I didn't want DD to go in empty handed especially as the teachers had given all the children a little something. I think if I'd realised that lots of people don't buy gifts then I wouldn't have bothered.

DD didn't go in today due to the snow. So I now have to look after 3 pot plants until the new year (if they last that long)

Why would buying them a thank you gift be undermining their professionalism? I don;t get it.

DH is a solicitor and gets several gifts from clients and other contacts over Christmas. He gets anything from a small box of chocolates, to crates of really good wine. His professionalism as a solicitor hs never been underminded or called into question regarding these gifts.

So why would a teachers?

Fair enough to not buy a gift. It is not complusary in any way, shape or from.

But equally if someone does wish to buy thank you gift at Christmas for a teacher or TA - then why not?

We generally only bought presents at the end of the academic year (I'm assuming we are talking primary school?) because by then they had spent a whole year with the DSs and deserved a massive thankyou...

YANBU.
I may perhaps get something for class teachers and TA's to share at the end of the academic year but not Christmas.
I have enough to think about!

I think client/contact gifts are a bit different as [whisper] money has changed hands between giver and giftee or may do in the future.

Public sector is harder as teachers etc are not eg touting for repeat business or hoping someone makes a big order in the New Year.

One of the mothers at DD's nursery did what was (IMO) a clever thing to avoid the 28 boxes of chocs situation - put up a notice and a postbox for contributions to the staff Christmas party.