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!

I have bought some plain white mugs and porcelain pens from Baker Ross. DD3 is organising a mug production line for her teachers, grandparents and cousins! I think she plans to make chocolate truffles and put them inside the mugs too.

When DD left preschool, we didn't have enough money to get all the staff presents. I got a set of puppets (virtually brand new in a charity shop) to give to the school because it was all we could afford - but they were really happy to have something new for the children, and I got a big hug from the staff :)

At my DCs school it has become the norm to ask for Ten pounds for each teacher/TA. Problem is that one DC has a teacher and TA and the other has a teacher and two TAs. It's just too much.

Last year I was the class rep and broke ranks by not organising a collection. The Dcs and I made handmade bodyscrub for a couple of quid. One of the other mums just then organised a break out collection anyway. I didn't contribute and so DS2 was the only child not to sign the card.

DS2 did however get a beautiful thank you letter from his teacher telling him how much she loved the present and now smelled of brown sugar and cinnamon.

At our school it's part of the PTA. Each class has a parent to act as class rep and disseminate info about things like the summer fayre or Christmas drinks.

If you stand you basically spend your life sending out nagging emails trying to get people to bake cakes etc. Needless to say I refused to be class rep this year!

i buy all the ta/ teachers a £1 box of chocs from asda or poundland. i do have 3 dcs who all have 3 or 4 tas/teachers each but a fiver each!!! no way. i have started giving them the chocs in the second week of dec so they can eat them before the big rush at end of term

I'm not sure i know anyone who can afford a fiver each child for each ta / teacher. not around here anyway.

I think this kind of thing is awful. Teachers aren't a charity,they get paid a salary and are doing a job.I'd have died when teaching if I knew this kind of thing was going on with my class.

One of my teacher friends got given once the best part of £200 vouchers for a jewelry shop wtf!!!!!She was v embarrassed and obviously living in a v affluent area.

Yes show your appreciation and that of your child but seriously does writing a check do that?Imho a home made card is plenty.My 3 are giving an Xmas decoration they have chosen.Think they cost £1 each but it's the thought that counts.

TBh a lot of this competitive buying is just parents trying to keep in with the teacher and I'm not sure it really shows much Christmas spirit.It also makes the kids who can't afford much feel crap.I once had a child in tears one year when I was inundated with flowers,gifts etc at the end of term(I was v discreet but even so).

Think it's getting out of hand in MNland (not where I live thank God) and schools should rein it in a bit.

i would rather spend what little money we have on our dcs than our teachers however great they are. they get paid after all.

A teacher I knew got a babydoll nighty one year

In HE so pressies not not as prolific as primary but do get some lovely things, Merlot, orchids, diaries and journals from some Students (usually accompanied by a smile and "That my A then ..ha ha") Oh it nearly Xmas!!!! And I break up on 10th. sorry just had an urge to get all excited. Happy xmas mumsnetters!

Only once contributed to a class collection for a teacher that really was loved by parents and children alike. It was completely voluntary as was the amount put in. I assume everyone put in (all children signed the card regardless) as there was well over a hundred pounds which was spent on gift vouchers for the local garden centre as another teacher had said she loved her garden.
Dd generally makes something for her teachers (Christmas decorations this year) and writes what she has enjoyed most in a card.

£10 per person is bloody ridiculous - that's £300 in a 30 child class

I think a fiver per teacher is a bargain. You couldn't get much for just £5 but everyone clubbing together could mean they get something great.

I agree with PolkaDotCircus

I don't actually think teachers should even be allowed to accept presents: at the very most only token ones from the children themselves.

I wonder how many teachers who get gifts of significant value make their HTs or governors aware? How many declare them on their tax return?

I would be highly knowing parents had put £5 each in. Because however 'affluent' your area is, there will always be someone who can't afford it. And however good I think I am , I know they'll be parents who don't think I deserve £5!!
A card with a message and/or some chocolate is great. Wine is always nice but not at all teachers drink .

I think it's inappropriate for teachers to receive ££££ in vouchers.

Surely such extravagant gifts must be declared to the governing body.

When I worked for the LA there was a requirement to declare and hand in any gift and the powers that be would decide whether you could accept it or not :)

I think the rules for teachers must be different

ilovesooty I think that if some parents/children want to give gifts to their children's teachers, they should be able to give whatever they want! It's a shame if some people can't afford it or don't really want to, but does that mean that nobody should?

I'm not a teacher, and this is my only DC's first year in school, so am speaking from a WEALTH of inexperience!

Our PTA prefer the money because they end up using it o by vouchers for the staff for John Lewis/similar so that the staff can get something they really want. Is your PTA doing simliar?

DD goes to independant school, 22 girls per class.
All hell has let loose on email because we have 1 teacher who does 4 days, 1 teacher who does 1 day, a TA who does 4 days and another TA who does 1 day. Alpha mother has sent us a mail asking us for £5 , so£110 spilt between 4. So people started moaning that we should give more.
Reception class are demanding £10 split 3 ways, so £220...
Some mums want us to stick at £5. Other mums with rich DHs told us to give more,....and then announced they were buying their own gift and didn't want to be involved in class gift...
Bored and confused yet? I was, as this email war kicked off at 10pm last night.
WTAF!!!!

I think the rules for teachers must be different

No different. Most schools will have a policy requiring teachers to declare gifts.

Mimstar I think that the only gifts which should be permitted should be token gifts, and everything should be declared. I work with vulnerable adults and we're not allowed to accept gifts at all for personal use. If we accept flowers/chocolates etc we have to declare them to our line manager and the gift has to be shared amongst the team.

Reading this thread with interest.

In reception I added to collection but not 5quids worth.
only because reception had jobshare teachers and 2 tas.

mY freinds dd was on other class and group of mums gave present when other mums were not there who had contributed needless to say she wasent happy.

year 1 decided to not add to collection as people were putting in £10-£20 even I couldent compete,

We made some chocs and a card and hope she appreciated it.
Did hear the collection money brought nearly 3300quid shopping vouchers , flowers and chocs for year 1teacher.
Soe parents give the poor tas nothing.

At end of summer term I missed mums night out tbh I avoided them as most couldent be bothered to ay hi in playground why would I go out with them! Anyway througha freind who did go the class rep whinged one lady gave 50p was well bitchy and discussed how tight some parents were and who dident give left bad taste in my mouth as my sol called freind said can you belive whats point.. I said maybe its because they gave seperate present or were truly broke.
She dident agree yet struggles money herself but doesnt wnat to lose face with otehr mums and is one for grand gestures .

This term we new school dd loves her teacher and teachers also leaving at end of this term.
I was thinking will get her something and possibly add to collection too in this case if was just xmas i would just get her small pressie.
She has several tas so thinking just give rception large tin of chocs for all support staff including reception whos amazing lady, infact shes been so good might get her something seperate as shes been so helpful and small cheap box chocs for lollypop man.

I do think its gone too far especially in some affluent areas,

have no idea what to get to teacher might go lovley gift shop in narby viklage and see if can find something bespoke and reasonably priced.

Will get dd to make a few cards for school staff and cheap box for all her freinds. last year did xmas cupcakes but hard when some kids have allergies.