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!

First post....
We buy gifts from Oxfam Unwrapped or CAFOD, usually school/education related (for £5-7ish) then address it to class teacher and any TAs in that class. Child writes a message and we add a little thank you too. Have always had lovely comments from the teachers about them.

I'd think it was a bargain if our class reps only asked for a fiver! Whenever they have organised something we have put in £10, but it gets split between the teacher and TAs.

I work as a TA, and I have been given Amazon vouchers in the past. As much as it is appreciated, (and it really is, I know that one of the Mums has probably had a lot of work to do in letting everyone know, collecting money and card signatures and ordering the voucher), I much prefer the years where I come home with armfuls of little hand creams and small boxes of chocolates. It's much more fun! And even if the children didn't make it, they are involved, they at least write on a tag and personally give it, which is much nicer. They enjoy it and are always very proud to give their little gift.

I think teacher presents are a nice thing, my children always like doing it.

We don't have a class rep.

But everybody near enough buys a present. I'll be getting ds's teacher, TA and the school receptionist a present and a big box of chocolates for the other teachers.

OOHHH a chocolate orange! I wish a parent would buy me one :)

i don't want any presents, from pupils or from their parents! if they want to do something nice they can send me a card (any time of year), postcard, note, back of an envelope, saying something pleasant. that would be good.

what i really want them to do is to keep their children clean, fed, properly dressed, make sure they get enough sleep and encourage them to do well in all their lessons.

I'd not be happy to give a fiver.

I'm making bookmarks this year.

Agree with others: a Thank You card/personal message is really appreciated. I work in a secondary boys school - presents esp for female teachers - are a rare entity at Christmas. (Wine and Choc would be very welcome and defo not regifted!)

I'm a high school teacher and I have kept every thank you card I've ever received. If I got given a huge expensive gift, I think I'd be really embarrassed.

Primary teacher here. I'm always dead chuffed if I get chocolate - DH is very appreciative too and it usually lasts us well into the first week in January the new year, nice to have a store to monch in front of the fire. And wine is good too, but I'm horribly ungrateful in that I don't drink white or rose, so chances are it'll get regifted... Sorry!

Having said that, cards are lovely, especially from the ones you weren't expecting anything from. And given that the kids I teach aren't from affluent backgrounds, I'd feel horrible knowing that someone was worrying about what to get when new school shoes or a coat are more important. I really feel for the kids who hurriedly scribble a handmade card in class when they see that all the others have brought one. A heartfelt "Have a nice Christmas, Mrs Duddle" on the way out on the last day is more than enough.

The best Christmas gift we get is two weeks off ;)

I'm a Teacher I personally would feel very embarrassed to receive that as a present.

As lovely as it is, it's too much.

I'm also embarrassed about that awful sentence.

Wtaf?! That is madness. Christmas presents for teachers?! Out of principle I would say no!

I remember always buying my favourite teachers a present at school - usually a 99p box of Matchsticks from the equivalent of the pound shop back then (25 years ago). This year I'll be encouraging ds to make flower pens from this link and I'll be making up a box of homemade biscuits/truffles/shortbread/fudge to show my own appreciation.

Firstly no teacher ever expects a gift ime.
However, where gifts are given, ime, all gifts and tokens of thanks (card, homemade gift, bought gift, letter of thanks, etc) are always appreciated.

Why lucie? out of principal

Only first year in reception - I was perhaps going to do the Oxfam unwrapped thing as I guess teachers get mountains of chocolate. Don't know if they'd appreciate that though, or they'd rather something for themselves!!!

Because I view Christmas presents as something I give to my loved ones, be they friends Mr family. I don't view them as something given to civil servants being paid to serve us. Do people gift their doctors, police officers, firefighters etc? I'm uncomfortable with the whole concept.

But a doctor, police officer and fire fighter aren't having a major input in your child's day to day life.

Their teacher is.

I'm liking that big fridge ...

Our children's education is important but it isn't of paramount importance against all the other functions civil servants provide that affect our lives on a daily basis, it's simply a very visible service if you have kids. I work in a prison alongside people who work with the most dangerous people in society in very tough conditions, they serve the public every day but they-d never get presents as they're hidden away in an unglamorous setting. My son's teacher does a great job but I'm more grateful to the people in the justice sector helping to protect him by capturing and working with the dregs of society.

You are entitled to think lthe way you do.

As I am. The teachers will be getting presents

declaring gifts sounds ridiculous! If tehy want me to declare gifts, then I'm going to start declaring they give me money for the gifts I buy the children at Christmas, Easter and Summer alongside all the other incidentals that I spend on my class throughout the year. I don't begrudge it because I choose to and I like the children, but equally, if a parent chooses to give a gift to show their appreciation of the effort you put in, they do so wothout expecting you to declare it or share it woth the rest of the staff.