Teacher gift ideas

[drspouse]

Any thoughts or good ideas welcome!
Previously I've got 30/40 something female nursery carers Lush stuff, homemade baking and jam. 20 something female Reception teacher got a nice Benefit set.

This year DS teacher is a 30 something man, bit sporty (but not a runner or anything serious, suspect armchair fan which given how time consuming being a Y1 teacher is, isn't that surprising), musical, plays the guitar.
DD's nursery keyworker is retiring at Christmas, I think she has DGCs but I don't know what age.
She has other carers but I usually do some baking for the room as well.

I've done a "Night In" before but it was wine, chocolates and a trashy magazine

I love every single present, thankyou, card and picture (I work in a preschool) - the bit that is lovely is the handing over of the gift, whether it is a squishy handmade truffle, a bottle of prosecco or a lovingly crafted owl (I think it was an owl......)

Ds gets his teachers and TAs pork pies. Every year. I add chocolates, or a mini bottle of wine as I know lots of people probably don't like them, but if you ask him what he'd like to give his teacher/TA, it is always a pork pie (which is just about his favourite thing!)

I've often given neat little umbrellas (the ones that fold up to be really small rather than big clonky things, but that are still a decent size to keep you dry; they're the sort that I use myself) on the basis that you can have more than one or two on the go (one in the car, one in the cupboard, one in your drawer at school etc) and occasionally they go missing or break so a spare can be useful. Also they don't break if you have a cack-handed child who is likely to drop the present as they hand it over - an umbrella doesn't break in the same way that a bottle of wine does!

Have also given nice strong tote bags that fold up small as they can be handy to have several of, and there was one teacher who always used to use a little paperchase notebook to write notes down from parents before school so I let ds choose one for her, which she seemed chuffed with.

When I've known the teachers a bit better, to know they are foodies or at least that they drink and when the dc are old enough to trust with bottles I've sometimes sent in a bottle of port or dessert wine at christmas or Pimms in the summer as a change from wine, as it can be regifted if they don't like it.

For my 7yr olds teacher we are doing a tin of fancy hot chocolate and an ornament my son has made (so he has to put some effort in himself).

Ravenwings oh yes!! You have to be careful if you work with the parent of a child in your class... I was gifted an expensive box frame picture of a word cloud, crayons and sparkly things - professionally made but it all related to that particular child and their ‘talents’’ and not my taste at all. I was told by the child it was specifically for my lounge and not the classroom. Roll on a year and had work colleagues round for a drink before a night out. Cue upset as the expensive frame thing wasn’t in my lounge pride of place...

But sure jock , don't you know their child is the most wonderful, precious flower ever to grace the planet? Sure why wouldn't you want to be thinking of them and their many virtues every time you go into your own living room...

This is why I don't like the "Christmas bauble with child's name" present idea. I'm very fond of the kids I've taught. Well...most of them, maybe some aren't quite as beloved as others. But the bauble just isn't something I want on my tree. I'd keep one from kids of friends or family.

When I want to remember my classes, I pull out my card and photo box.

jock, your work colleague sounds like hard work!!

I wish giving to teachers wasn't such a thing. I am sure that much of it ends up in landfill, charity shops or school tombolas. So much pointless waste.

I have raided Aldi for some Christmas food and made up some little packages. They also have prosecco and truffles sets for under a fiver. Desperately skint this year so trying to be creative and make the money stretch.

Our teacher is being given £150 in vouchers. Ridiculous I know. £5 per parent.

Are they even allowed to accept?!

Songbird- are you sure it's not been split between the teacher and lsas and tas?

Lot's of schools do seem to do it like that songbird, but at mine we're not allowed to accept anything over £20 in value and everything has to be declared.

I always did handcream. Fancy looking pump bottles can be picked up very cheaply and I figure at least it's useful, if not very exciting.

We all put £5 and get vouchers. It's easier and cheaper, I end up spending more than £5 otherwise.

@greennailvarnish not it’s definitely not being split.

There is another fund of £2 for the TA.

Yep - crazy right!

No idea if the teacher can accept it or not. But it’s happening!

It’s not so much about what you would spend as an individual it’s what looks gross. I think it’s all a bit show offy.

Some of the presents listed here are what I'd give to friends!
My mum was a primary teacher for 18 years and always gave 99% of her gifts away chocolate and wine went to me

I give a joint card to the teacher and ta's saying how much I appreciate all their hard work etc and a box of shortbread / gingerbread or posh mince pies to share in the staff room a week before half term.

Some parents go way over the top with gifts!

Well I think teachers are worth it. They spend so much over and beyond the call if duty on our kids that i dont begrudge them. I was a teacher and every teacher I know spent their own money on resources which would not be refunded back. I would dream about the children and think about them all the time and I wasn't the best out there.
Seriously, Songbird a fiver for a lot of people isn't going to break the bank.
Teachers nowadays have no choice- they put their everything into our kids.

@greennailvarnish it’s not about breaking the bank - I doubt the teacher will be allowed to keep it all. There is usually some declaration? In most public sector organisations there is some bribery declaration?

I’ll end up getting something on top anyway too.

I just think it’s a lot to get one person.

Plus we still have end of year to do.

I don’t begrudge the teacher who is doing an amazing job. For example a friend of mine who has kids at private school do £5 and they have a class of 15 that’s £75. But this is a class of 30.

No teachers do not need to declare class collections- it can hardly be construed as bribery!

Tbh songbird you just sound narked that your child's teacher is getting such a generous gift.

Are you sure Greebnailvarnish? Our Finance Regs require a Gifts and Hospitality policy and ours says everything must be declared and nothing over £20 accepted.

Admittedly I've never worked in another school that actually applies the rule, but it's definitely there.

kavvlar I would be delighted to receive one of those gifts. Partly because of the time and effort taken in the presentation it would mean a lot to me, as much as the gift.
"Night in a bag" great idea I have had something similar.

I would say DON'T buy a mug! Staff have masses. I have kept all mine but the mugs are becoming a problem.even at work last year we had a cull. Collect your mugs this week and rest going to charity shop. There must have been about seventy on the table.
I have kept all mine and used them. I never have to buy toiletries. I have a laundry box in the bathroom that is full.
I would say book vouchers, coffee vouchers (I have heard were popular) so when they go Christmas shopping can stop and have coffee and a treat.
For me thoughtful things were children know I like art and crafts so I have been given a pencil case full of pens and pencils, dry felt kit, card marking kit( challenge) and even a scratch kit of a tiger which child wanted and mum apologised about but actually I had never done one and found it quite relaxing.
Christmas baubles: I have been given some hand made ribbon ones from some of the Polish children and they are absolutely beautiful. I love getting them out and placing on my tree especially as the most beautiful ones were made by someone who has gone on to secondary school last year.
Cinema tickets...chance to relax.
Hand written letters by the child inside a card.
A lovely letter to staff and a box of biscuits for the staff room goes down a treat. Covers everyone and great for parents who are short of cash we really don't want you having to scrimp to buy presents for staff.

I would feel embarassed to receive that amount and I'm sure any staff at our school would. Could you offer to get something for the classroom or make sure it could be possible mixed vouchers? Perhaps bookshop for some.
I don't work in an affluent area so it would never happen.

Please check that the teacher drinks before buying alcohol. My friend is a Muslim and a teacher and gets wine nearly every year which he takes as a contribution to the staff party! To confuse people he is white so people don't automatically think that he is a Muslim. So do check before buying wine.

I am of the opinion that a great teacher is focused on my DC during that year, but once gone they don't have time to reminisce over how lovely Banyan Sapling was and so I think a homemade item won't be kept so I don't do them.

There are some funny mugs about guitars and other great small gifts on etsy. There is a nice key ring that has a pick shaped bag on the end with picks inside.

WRT to homemade items. Does that include baked goods by the parent? I am a good baker and whenever I have made items for the staff room they seemed to like it. Good idea or not? I was going to buy stollen and other Christmas treats this year but a lot of them have nuts inside.

I have bought my teacher a small candle from a posh company. She is quite mature and I am not sure if she is a big drinker. Not sure if she is going to cast her eyes to heaven over it but I would like to get a present like this. No one ever buys me presents..sniff...

I am of the opinion that a great teacher is focused on my DC during that year, but once gone they don't have time to reminisce over how lovely Banyan Sapling was and so I think a homemade item won't be kept so I don't do them.

Regarding baubles etc, yes - I don't keep them. But it's nice to reminisce on years gone by so cards and drawings are good. I keep a box of them and open it every once in a while. Great after having a crappy day.

I prioritise my life over my teaching job - it's just a job at the end of the day. I'd be pretty worried if someone didn't have time for the odd wander down memory lane.