Do you buy teachers Christmas presents?

[Superheroessidekick]

So I normally get my ds teacher a thank you gift at the end of the summer term but I'm now thinking do I get something for Christmas? Last year I got them a box of nice biscuits but this year I'm thinking they must have had shit loads of biscuits lol. Any suggestions? Or do you not bother? X

I like to give the teachers and ta a Christmas present. I'm lucky enough that all our teachers so far have been brilliant. We do a collection for those that want to contribute and split between teachers and ta.

And if you know teachers that roll their eyes at presents - how rude is that?!

Well obviously they're polite and smiley when they're handed them but yes, a few close friends have told me what a pain it is to deal with all that when they're trying to wrap everything up for end of term.

Anyway, just trying to help OP make up her mind.

My DM was a teacher - she never rolled her eyes at her end of term gifts. She always appreciated everything she was given.

I'm a teacher and second the 'card with a comment' suggestions. Although I do have a weakness for wine hyacinth bulbs in a pot.

I buy for DD's nursery teachers, they are fantastic and really go over and above. DD loves her teachers and I really consider them to be part of our family, I wouldn't buy gifts just for the sake of it but we feel genuine affection for them.

I am a parent and a teacher. While I do not think you have to buy present, I have always bought gifts for teachers at Christmas. I also appreciate the gifts I am given (even if I don't like the gift itself I like the thought) and I don't understand all the"oh no not more chocolates or bubble bath " comments. Please don't feel you have to buy anything - teachers are paid professionals. However, if you want to buy something please don't be put off by those moaning about too many biscuits!

No gifts. Write a card or letter thanking them for their work and giving specific details of when and how they have helped, supported etc your child educationally or emotionally.

Also work in a school, I think it's lovely when a child/parent shows appriciation with a card or small token. I've never seen anyone 'roll their eyes' or moan about it.

I am a teacher. I do not expect presents although it is nice to get them. I have never "rolled my eyes" at anything I have been given.

Of course no one is going to roll their eyes when they are given the gifts, but I know plenty of teachers who really don't want to have to deal with the volume of stuff they are given - and as I said earlier, I volunteer in a charity shop and am constantly being given loads of stuff by teacher friends for my shop .

Do any schools/teachers actually say 'no gifts please' - it would save a lot of angst and money.

I was going to get them each a bath bomb. There is a teacher and 2 TAs. The bombs are those cupcake type ones, Christmas theme, about £3-4 each. Not expensive or fattening (I know they all do slimming world!) and just a nice little treat. If they don't like baths they can regift.

I haven't come across any teachers (myself included) who have been ungrateful/rolled their eyes about presents they are given. It's lovely getting presents from wee ones - it's not about what the present is, it's the act of giving. I always give my pupils a present too, it's a special time of year. I use all my mugs, and I do remember who gave me them.

I love a nice card, with a message the child has written/drawn. I love fluffy pens/cute stationery, but am grateful for anything (or even nothing but a sincerely wished Happy Christmas Mrs Keep )

I have made a kind of hamper to put in the staffroom for ds1 to take in. It's got teas, coffees, hot chocolate, biscuits, shortbread and a couple of tins of sweets in it. That way everyone who works there gets a thank you, not just his teacher and TA. I pinched the idea from someone on another thread

debinaround that's a lovely idea.

DH is a teacher and whilst he loves the sentiment and the kindness shown to him, it's not always practical to keep all of the gifts.

About 2 years ago, he received 12 'Best Teacher' mugs for Christmas. That was 'peak mug', but he's never had a Christmas or End of term in Summer where he has received less than 5 mugs. After a decade in teaching, he's probably been given 120+ mugs. He has profusely thanked every child and made sure they know how very kind they have been. But we don't have the space and DH doesn't drink hot drinks anyway, so they do go to the charity shop, which he feels awful about, but it's better than going unused I think.

His favourite presents - a card with a thank you/drawing/photo of the child - he really does remember all the children he's taught and thinks fondly of most of them . Handwash or hand sanitiser - in a primary classroom, you get through a lot! Highlighter pens always come in useful. Biscuits or chocolates - he'll bring home a few favourites, but the rest stay at school for tea breaks and are much enjoyed!

I always get the SENCO something as she has been great and hasn't had a class until this year as she was previously P/T. I'm pretty sure that I was one of a very few who got her anything. This year DS2 has 2 young teachers on a jobshare and, instead of the usual chocolates, I'm interested in the idea of getting them some stationary as it seems popular with MN'ers who are teachers. Any recommendations? M&S seem to have nice stuff atm.

Wondering I can now keep my Molton brown baubles....

I reckon so Polkadot

polka I'd be very pleased with a Molton Brown bauble. I'd be bragging over that not rolling my eyes! I've been reading about them on the bargain thread and secretly hoping some of my parents are mumsnetters.

This may all be a little lighthearted but really, we don't expect presents and don't think anything less of those who don't buy them. It is lovely to get them though. Teachers get a bad wrap at times but the profession is bloody hard work at the moment and knowing you've made a difference to a child and their family (maybe just through a note or Poundshop box of Malteasers) may just stop some of us from jacking it all in.

rap not wrap! Mind is too full of Christmas!!

I bake for a living so usually send a box of treats into the staff room the week before term ends. I send in some sweet, some savoury, some chocolate and some posh tea/hot choc mix

debinround I do that (it may have been me who mentioned it on another thread). I prefer to give a gift to teachers at the end of the year TBH, so started the staff room box a couple of years ago. I am chipping into a whip-round for DS's class though as well (and will likely organise one for DD's teacher at the end of the year).

captainflash, that's a really good point. It is a really hard profession. I don't know how you lot do it, I really don't. The late nights, all the school plays, etc. I think you deserve much more money. What could be more important than bringing up our future leaders?

Carrie I think it was you. Genius.

I think the staff at my sons school all work so hard and are so great with the kids that I want to thank them. I get that they probably get quite a bit of tat though so when I stole saw your hamper idea I thought it was brilliant.

Also means that the teachers don't feel obliged to write thank you notes which is a pain in the arse.