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've never worked in a school that required us to declare gifts. And I've not heard of it from teachers I've spoken to IRL either.

Or is it that gifts of a certain value should be declared?

Euphemia Tue 27-Nov-12 11:49:17
What are these "class reps" of which you speak? Is this an English thing?!

You got there before me! I have never heard of a class rep - and I am English.

Once in DDs primary we had a woman who took it upon herself to organise a collection for a teacher and she asked for £10 each which she used to buy Next Vouchers. I think the teacher was a bit embarassed actually. Bless her though she made just as much fuss over the jar of home made lemon curd that DD took in as she did for the vouchers.

In our case the class rep is the PTA class rep. I think they end up doing it just because they're someone who is known by all the parents in the class, and is confident and organised enough to do it.

I wish our class alpha mum would bugger the fuck off.
Feels a clunge kick coming on....

Never ever agree to be class rep.

Never.

Don't do it.

It is always lovely getting presents from the kids and their parents and I have been lucky to have some thoughtful gifts over the years. However, I don't expect it, and I'm with those who appreciate more a heartfelt note in a card. I had one last year from a parent who I actually thought didn't like me and my teaching, and it made my Christmas.

I only ever encourage a handwritten card at xmas.
At the end of term, perhaps a small gift (if teacher has gone above and beyond and always chosen by dc). Otherwise just a card from dc.

When my oldest was in reception, another mum said she might organise a collection for the teachers and ta for xmas. I said I would not be contributing if she did. I will not be railroaded into collections. You can just decline to participate if you do not agree or have the funds etc.

I don't remember grandiose gestures like collections for Christmas being a thing when I was at school, and nor was it a thing when my eldest two started school (so, about 15 years back). It seems to be a fairly recent development, though thankfully not one DD3's school goes in for. Small handmade gifts & cards from the kids is one thing, but why on earth should teachers' wages be subsidised with a big bonus in the form of vouchers from parents just for doing their jobs? That's what they're paid a salary for, after all.

I think it's just an excuse for some parents to grandstand.

I am a secondary school teacher; I love getting presents and cards from the kids - do not care what it is, I have kept everything my kids have ever given me - from a handmade bracelet to the box that some bath smellys came in. I have to admit my favourite things are the cards.

At our last school the teacher and TA ended up with £200 in JL vouchers at Christmas and the summer. I hope they realise how lucky they are reading what secondary don't get !

My mum's a teacher. Every year she comes home with a box of presents (20 - 30) from the children. She gets given chocolates, smellies, wine, gin, handmade gifts, dr who items, to name a few. Last year she got a tardis mug from someone... And those things are not cheap! Lucky thing!

I would like to point out that she has worked there for over 23 years, and it's in a small village, surrounded by other small villages, so everyone knows everyone. Not every parent/child gives and all teachers get something

last year my dcs did christmas paintings for the teachers and we stuck a mini pack of ferrero rocher on the bottom. I'm classy me.

I've never worked in a school that required us to declare gifts. And I've not heard of it from teachers I've spoken to IRL either.

Folkgirl, are you sure your school doesn't have a gifts and hospitality policy? Schools are advised to have one and to keep a gifts and hospitality register - often you only have to declare gifts or hospitality worth over a certain amount (typically £20). Or it might be part of the anti-bribery and corruption policy.

Well I'm not working currently, but I've certainly never been alerted to a policy such as this during induction or upon approaching Christmas at any school I've worked at.

Tbf, I've never received a gift of any real value either (certainly nowhere near £20) but I've also never been told that I needed to declare one should I receive it. Quite pleased i haven't now!

So I'm not disputing that such a policy exists, I'm just really surprised that I've never heard of it other than on these threads.

I'm still very undecided about Xmas gifts for teachers but wanted to point out that I worked as a secondary TA for 3 years and am now training to be an English teacher and I've yet to meet a teacher who does less than £300 worth of unpaid overtime during the course of a year.

Folkgirl - tbh it is possible that I only know about it because I'm a governor and therefore responsible for knowing about all the school's policies.

I so don't expect anything except a thank you and a card is always lovely.

However, if you want an honest answer, I much prefer the class clubbing together to get me vouchers as it means that I can actually afford to buy something nice for myself instead of always spending my money on DD or food shopping!

I've organised collections from parents before but have never specified an amount or even insisted on a contribution to sign the card. We do this every year for the rugby and trampolining coaches as well and it always seems well recieved. I think vouchers are practical as they can buy what they want (I have no idea of what their taste is). Other than that I would never buy anything to keep (unless my DC was particulary bothered about it).

I'm a teacher. I love getting cards at Christmas! I am not fussed about presents. I've had homemade chocs, which I loved. And a £20 Waterstones voucher from one child (I was beside myself!) Body Shop stuff, a nice scarf... It's lovely, but I don't expect it at all (particularly as I'm a secondary school teacher, and feel fortunate to be acknowledged!) My lovely friend worked for a number of years in a posh prep, and I was amazed at the largesse of 'his' parents. I remember one year he was given a stainless steel fridge, a very expensive one. The mums knew he was renovating his kitchen. Mind you, I spent quite a few afternoons visiting his class, and he was a fabulous, fabulous teacher. I would have given him a fridge too, had I been a parent...

A fridge!

I think the £5 covers teacher and ta's which is not too much to expect, but I think after reading this we'll go with the homemade gift and definately a handmade card! Thanks

I wouldn't be railroaded into an organised collection. For us it's about a small gift to show our personal appreciation, along with a card written by whichever DC. Making it more or less compulsory takes the goodness out of the act.

There is really no need to give a teacher a gift and £5 each is a crazy amount of money! I teach secondary so we don't get much in the way of gifts but my mum teaches primary and the best gifts she ever got were homemade - she gets so much chocolate she can't eat it all and I always think wee kids taking wine to school is a bit odd?! The best gift she ever got was when a wee girl went to the supermarket with her dad and he gave her free reign to choose a gift and she proudly presented my mum with a trifle! The wee lass was delighted with her choice - very sweet!