Teacher/TA gifts

[PissedOnProsecco]

Hello wise ones,

Previously I've always gone a bit overboard on gifts for teachers and TAs however this year we have had to tighten our belts significantly.

In need of inspiration for gifts that are thoughtful yet inexpensive. I've six gifts to buy. I know we don't have to buy anything at all and it's not expected but I would like to thank the teachers and staff who've been working with my children.

What's the budget?

Ideally £8-£10 each.

As a former TA, edible/consumable gifts and a card from your DC (made/written by them, age depending) are what I valued most. I have a folder with every card/letter/piece of artwork I received from children, and I have enough tat in my house that consumables were most appreciated outside of that!

Wow £8-10 each is an awful lot! As a teacher I'd love a handwritten card. Wouldn't expect anything but something like bath bombs are good for destressing!
My dcs school we club together and give £5 max each.

Costa coffee card

Can you find out their first favourite charity and donate in their name?

I always like to go with a local coffee shop or restaurant for a nice lunch as a treat

Cath Kidston mugs www.cathkidston.com/mugs/grove-bunch-stanley-mug-1026421

I have been to Poundland in the past and bought a lovely garden ornament (for£1). I got hedgehogs last year. Then buy a cheap gift bag and some shredded paper or tissue paper and get child to write a card.

I clubbed together with another mum and we made them a December hamper of treats for the staff room. Our school is tiny so only 9 staff and buying everything from Waitrose it was £40

Debenhams have a some lovely gifts on 3 for 2

Thanks.

In the past I've managed £3-5 per person but I'm not sure what's happened of late if it's the increased cost of gifts or if I've not put enough thought/effort into sourcing more frugal gifts.

We always do a homemade card. Best part of the gift iIMO.

I've also done a hamper of nice biscuits / treats for the staff room. My DCs have various classroom helpers as well as the regular teachers and TAs so too many to do individual gifts. Plus this way the office staff etc can all benefit too

We go with the good old fashion biscuits, this year we’ve had to buy more than usual. One for my sons TA as she has been amazing with him for his ASD and through a family bereavement. One Also for my sons senco as he absolutley loves her, and she’s leaving in January. She’s done a lot for him. One for his teacher as she too has took him under her wing, her first time teaching year 6 and dealing with kids with asd he really gets on well 2ith her. And then there’s one for my dd 2 teachers as one of them is also leaving. Got 2 upset kids at the moment knowing thier fave teachers are leaving.

I’ve decided on no gifts this year just a nice card.

This was posted by 1 of my teacher friends on fb this week . Great idea - not sure how you suggest it though

Can you bake? Do you have time to? What about making festive biscuits/fudge/chocs?

I can't afford to do expensive teacher and TA gifts - DS2 is at a special school and there must be about 6 TAs alone who work in his classroom, and I never know who does what! I make jewellery and therefore anyone with actual ears gets inexpensive earrings, but they must be running out of lobes by now, so I might ring the changes and do little decorations for the tree that I make. I also usually do a cellophane bag of homemade marshmallows, chocolatey treats - peppermint creams seem to go down well, cost very little and can be made really fast!

For DS2's team of TAs I've taken to buying a large box of really nice biscuits, and writing a card to each (enclosing some of my earrings) because I honestly don't know how much contact he has with each. (School is some distance away and I don't go in more than once a week.) You could just do cards and buy something nice for the classroom - a good option that I think goes down well. Good quality whiteboard markers, for instance.

As a TA, edibles are great - and I do keep every card/cartoon/story/picture I get from the kids, they're the best bit, but I appreciate not everyone has the time or inclination. There will always be some gifts that don't work - I can't keep scented candles, for example, due to allergies. I've got loads of mugs. The thought is still appreciated and accepted with love, so don't worry too much about "getting it wrong".

Our school (well, me, it's part of my job) runs a "donate a book to the school library" scheme via a wishlist. Putting good quality books into children's hands thrills me more than any gift could and I'd far rather parents did that than fatten me up any more but again that's quite personal. Always worth asking if that's something you could do for the school or classroom, though - book budgets are absolutely shocking.

I’ve gone with Molton Brown baubles this year, I think they’re about £6/7 each

If you have a tiger store near you they have some fairly large paint your own Christmas baubles for £1 each, then I got my son to decorate them. Jobs a goodun.

Some great ideas on eBay for personalised vinyls for diffusers they sell in Aldi and candles. They also do personalised wine vinyl stickers with teachers & child's name.

Like these

And these...

I'm not a teacher but if I were to get gifts from 30 students I'd want consumerables. I have sensitive skin so don't like getting smellies as I would just have to regift them. I imagine most teachers have 50 billion mugs already. I think a coffee shop giftcard is the best idea.

(not that I mind having to regift as I don't get a gift but because it makes me feel guilty)