Affordable presents for 50+ children!! Aargh!

[makemineapinot]

I'm a primary teacher and teach in 2 classes 50/50 - one class of y4/p5 and one y1/p2 but in total have over 50 children to buy for this Christmas!! Anyone gave any ideas? Tried ordering finger lasers but they won't be delivered in time! Have bought mini packs of Haribo and Tesco value 10 for £1 crackers but want to give them something nice!! Problem is I'm a lone parent with NO financial help from elsewhere and also want to give my own dc a good Christmas. I work in a very deprived area and my present might be the only one some children get so want to make it special but am skint! Any ideas/links very much appreciated - and £1 per child impacts significantly on my finances

Excuse typos I'm tired and on iPad ...

How about something like these roller stamps? Give one stamp to each child - so 20p each.

My DC's teacher did something similar with a pack of pencils with eraser toppers - split them so every child got a pencil each. The children were thrilled.

dont think I ever got a gift off my teachers! Just buy a few sweetie funbags and let them.pick something out on the way home.

could you make something? if you could stretch to £1 then some of the xmas shops/cheap card shops do mini snowglobes for 99p

Do you have a Tiger store near you, like Ikea it is Scandinavian with get items at pocket money prices, i recently did party bags for 0-18m & 2-5yo for £4 a bag with 3 items inside, they were well received, they also have a website you can look at www.tigerstores.co.uk

Or raid the 99p shop for packs of toys and/or stationery that can be split. Our 99p Store is doing a 10 pack of scented mini-highlighters for 99p - so 10p a child.

try looking at party bag fillers?

www.partydelights.co.uk/toys/unisex-toys.aspx

yy Billy.

I got loads of stuff from about 35p at www.woolgarstoys.co.uk/shop/pages/PartyBags/Party_Bag_30/party_bag_30.html Woolgars Toys]] and there is 10% off if you spend over £15.

Was going to suggest poundland too. And also, what a lovely teacher you are

Thank you! Problem is I have used lots of poundland deals to use in our class points box (to help with behaviour!) so can't use the same things! mrscakes and Billy those sites look fab! No tiger stores here I have already made Christmas cake cupcakes (in muffin moulds) with them to sell at our Fayre. But am thinking we might make truffles or brownies that they can take home/give one another! Thanks x

Alternatively, you could buy one reasonably big present for each class - something the children will enjoy using/playing with and sharing together.

this might sound stupid but what about a big batch of cupcakes or traybakes for them to pick a goody bag from.u coulkd cut traybakes into little sqaures and they could all have a bag.

i remeber at that age when teachers gave us mini choc bars like those cadbury selctiuon bags(just a couple each)it was the best as we got to lourd it over the others whos teachers didnt.and had a snack at break!!

What about books from the book people particularly for the younger ones. One deal gives you 100 books for £50 so that would be this year and next for 50p each.

No suggestions to add I'm afraid but just wanted to say what a lovely teacher you are! I'm sure your pupils will appreciate any little gift.

If the kids are from deprived backgrounds, then it might be worth contacting the Salvation Army. They distribute gifts to children from similar deprived backgrounds & have currently launched their gift appeal to the public.

Have a look on Yellow Moon & Baker Ross websites for multibuy offers on crafts & stationary etc.

www.yellowmoon.co.uk

www.bakerross.co.uk

Haven't read all the thread so don't know if someone's said this already but why are u buying the children in your class presents I did this an nqt because I worked in area of poverty I bought them all a pack of pencils and a note book I got on deals so didn't spend a lot. However at my next school head had a blanket no presents for children as she felt it was inappropriate out people under financial pressure and we gave so much of ourselves already. I write personalised Christmas cards and individual thank you cards. I do buy a class gift usually something to play in golden time.

Agree with loopy - I really don't think it is appropriate for a teacher to be giving gifts to children .......... some families might then feel they have to give a present to the teacher (don't get me started on 'teacher's gifts' - a ridiculous idea). Agree that a personalised card is a lovely suggestion.

Something like an end of term tea party with nice cakes or a tin of sweets to share, or maybe a special new game/activity for everyone to share would surely be more appropriate?

One of the TAs in our school made each child a personalised bookmark. Some were football related etc so those that liked Arsenal were red, Spurs, blue. She laminated them all and the kids all loved them. Something you could do at school and its free!

This is my go to place for cheap toys.
Always Trading

My daughters best ever present from her teacher was a laminated card bookmark with her name and a picture of the class on. They were simple printed strips of card, laminated then cut up, would have cost pence, and she treasures it. What are the teachers you share with doing, could you club together?
I understand what you are saying about the area you teach in, but you cannot be responsible for providing for all the children and shouldn't feel you have too.