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!

oh shit, I have a typo ... I might as well die of shame!!!

We don't give a gift at Christmas but we do at the end of the academic year.

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

While I think gifts, if permitted, should be declared I don't think employees should be using their own money to subsidise their work either.

There is a heated thread on moneysavingexpert (the Christmas forum) about teachers throwing out homemade gifts (like chocs and cakes).
I think teacher gifts are lovely if you wish to do them, competitive over it is stupid though and not the spirit of Christmas! The collections sound a good idea for those who WISH to contribute, there shouldn't be any pressure.
I'm not a teacher but saw a lovely gift once, a plant pot which a child had decorated and planted some seeds and a tag saying 'thank you for helping me grow'

Quick update. Apparently at pick up yesterday it all kicked off...alpha mum collection organiser has flounced off vs another mum who didn't want to contribute but decided to interfere anyway by saying that the £5 should be increased....it's designer hand bags at dawn....
Watching with amused disinterest finally everyone will see all these self obsessed shallow women for what little they are. Class meal next week, haha...

We're going to be moving this thread to the Christmas topic shortly.