Calling all teachers - what do you get your class?

[Misssss]

Way back in the dark ages when I was an nqt I used to buy the class a gift each fir Christmas. Now I normally try and just write the children a nice card. This year I've been roped into covering for an ill teacher and the class have been fantastic. I'd like to get them something as apparently their permanent teacher does. Does have any ideas of cheap things I could get 28 year 5/6 children? Thanks!

What age are they? 10/11?

When my DD was in reception her teacher have them all a tree chocolate and a package of reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. Basically it was a mix of oats and glitter with a little rhyme about sprinkling it on your lawn for the reindeer to see. I though that was really sweet and the children all loved it.

Last year i got my dance students a christmas tree decoration each (the little wooden ones come in a box of around 25-50 online...) went down a storm!

I'm putting together an art and craft afternoon for my class- a few tables with different things going on that they can choose to make things from. Places like poundland and wilcos have little kits of things you could make- could you kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

Crafty crocodiles is also a good online place to order craft things from but will be more expensive and you'd have to order quickly.

Try the yellow moon company for multipacks of gifts and crafts.

www.yellowmoon.org.uk/

Dd's teacher bought her class a selection box last year, the Cadbury's ones from Poundland.

Last year my DDs daughter gave her class a cracker (obviously a fill your own one) with a popping candy freddo in. She loved it.
Other DD in year 1 was given a little notebook and pencil - again went down well.
I personally love the christmas decoration and reindeer food idea!

DDs TEACHER that should say, shes only 6!

Why not get a rainy day activity for them to have in the class, for them all to share?

An education?

Sorry. But I neither give, nor expect gifts at school. I love Christmas but feel that parents are put under even more pressure to buy things they can't afford when teachers (who in my neck of the woods are fairly affluent compared to the local population) start handing out gifts.

I agree Rose. I don't give gifts to the children at Christmas or at the end of the school year, was just giving a suggestion!

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I'm trying my best to give the children an education, but I think the targets and tests need to be balanced with a bit of fun too. After the year they've had a present might cheer them up. I can't understand why pious killjoys comment on threads. I don't think one pound gift from a teacher is going to tip the scales and spoil the children. It's the season of goodwill. I really don't think here is the place to be spreading negativity. Merry Christmas

DS1 (now yr7) still cherishes the bookmark his yr4 teacher made for him.

Just a laminated card with a picture of one of his "likes" and a short personal message. I think it came with a packet of sweets.

I'm a TA and have almost 100 children in my year. They will each be getting a few sweets and a 'piñata' type present wrapped in tissue paper and Christmassy cellophane from me. Total cost of sweets, toy, tissue,cellophane, ribbon and tag is 41p per child. I am not well off - far from it, but have bought items over the last few months from internet companies. I can't wait to give them out and I won't have spent much more than I would have if I had bought them chocolate bars. I would hate to think that any parent should feel under pressure to buy anything for me just because I spent a few pence on their child.

Sorry OP! Didn't mean to bring a downer on the thread, I think it's lovely. I'm just too tight

And I have done in the past for children who, like yours, have had a difficult year

I usually get a selection of stationery - a pencil, a rubber and a ruler. There are lovely packs of 10 at B&M and similar home stores. Then I add some sweets, lollies etc and wrap them all up in Christmas napkins, tied with a ribbon on top. So far I've had no complaints but many happy children.
Costs about £20 for 25 children, so not too bad.

Could you print off and laminate a bookmark for each of them? That well each child can have something personalised.

I usually get them a candy cane each. You can get packs of about 10 for £1-2.

Last year I gave my 6th formers personalised medals made out of chocolate coins, and then a packet of chocolate coins each. They wore their medals all day - it was very cute. :)