AIBU to ask about teachers Xmas presents?

[Idocrazythings]

Class rep would like £5 for joint class present. I normally make scented bath salts with my DC and put them in a glass jars we have saved throughout the year and decorate it the jar.

The money is not an issue, just wondering, teachers, do you appreciate it (well I'm sure you do, but do you actually want it?; or do you prefer the group gift cards etc. I do know never to give a teacher chocolate or a cup!

Wow where are the schools that do this? I practically weep with joy if I get a couple of cards and a choc orange! I can honestly say just a 'thank you' from the kids on the way out the door does me. Spot the secondary teacher! I'm always amazed at how well my primary teacher pals do.

Personally, I like the homemade gifts .. it's nicer to have a card/gift made by the child - more thought has gone into it and the children are generally very proud of their creations!

The group things are fine too, but it is really obviuos who hasn't contributed and something doesn't sit well with me about that.

My primary school teacher friend and his teacher wife accumulated several tonnes of chocolate last Christmas, had to give it away! Such a waste. Homemade gifts are always better received.

Do you mean obvious to you katy or amongst the children themselves? I think they are subtle at our school- it's all done through parents and you either sign the card and pay up or you don't sign. I'm only talking R. And yr 2 (we are new to this school so it's not been an issue before).

So at primary schools all parents put in a fiver for a present?! I trained for the wrong sector!

Ours is doing this this year as the teacher is leaving to have a baby. Generally I would rather not do it though as I like my dc to be able to give their teacher a present themselves.

Not all schools natwebb

I've occasionally had chocolates, wine or smellies. Which is nice. I've got a couple of salt dough christmas tree decorations made by children I taught several years ago and it always reminds me of them when I see them. The best present I ever had was from a teacher parent who wrote to me telling me all the lovely things her son had said about me and all the things she felt he had progressed in with me. That was lovely.

At DD's school the class reps ask for suggest a £10 donation per child. I don't contribute though.

I've never been at a school where people put in a fiver EACH(??)

Teacher here - I love the gifts but generally when the parents club together there is something forceful about it and I'd prefer people to have a choice. I once had a woman with three dc in my class (twins and one summer born) and there was no way she could afford it and was distressed (one of her dc told me about it).

I hate this kind of thing. I dont buy teachers presents.

The only teacher i will be buying a xmas present for is my SIL.

Other half is a teacher and he honestly likes a card with a thank you from the child and a comment from the parent (suppose more related to end of academic year but Xmas too).

The majority of teachers put in time and effort with pupils day in and out (outside of their 'normal' contract) and sometimes that 'thank you' makes it all worth while.

Save your money and write a nice comment in a card from you both.

That's so true, FB.

It's just that thanks and knowing you've been appreciated means so much more than £100 John Lewis vouchers!

I agree with a 'thank you' being very much more appreciated than anything that costs money.

This Christmas my DD's teacher will be getting a £20 Trafford Centre voucher, some flowers and a card detailing how grateful we are to her making my DD's first term of school so enjoyable.

Will get those personalised chocolate plaques from Thorntons for the teaching assistants.

The teachers I know say that they prefer a card either made by or written by the child.

The primary school teacher I know comes home with a veritable sea of pot plants, biscuits, homemade soap and bath stuff etc and I have to say that a lot gets regifted or sent to charity shops if it's bought stuff and disposed of if it's not. Sad really

Ah I always get the teacher a box of Lush stuff at around £7 & the TA gets christmas biscuits/shortbread. Are these regifted? DS has 2 teachers this year so I'd like to know if I don't have to & save £20.

My friend doesn't regift Lush :)

Thanks Jins, I was a bit disappointed then as I put some thought into choosing their gifts, ie if they are the more 'mature' teacher I won't get them sparkly stuff & go for the skin nourishing products. If they are younger they get more experimental stuff :)

She's just one teacher remember!

Dreams of receiving a Lush bath bomb as a gift... and getting an hour to enjoy it

I'm a teacher and have never had the parents club together. Nor do they do it at my child's school. It's not that kind of area where we live

The best gifts are a card with a nice thank you in it. Wine is nice. Chocolate is nice but I have to give loads away as I get so much. I've had some homemade tree decorations and that's what I do for my child's teacher, with some wine. She can take them home or decorate next year's classroom tree with them.

£5 each? Our reps asked for less than that last year when DD's teacher left to have a baby, we didn't participate as I didn't like what they were doing with the money (some pointless crystal engraved thing ) - instead, DD chose a little set of board books for the baby and made her a card. Teacher seemed really pleased and gave DD a lovely thank you note.

No idea if they are doing a collection this year but we won't participate in that either, as DD keeps going on about how much "Miss X LOVES chocolate all day long" :o so she can choose her something indulgent and chocolatey instead.

I especially enjoy the wine I am given ;)

One family gave me cinema vouchers, they are great.