Four teachers!

[weebarra]

DS2 and DD have two teachers each this year. One of DS2's teachers is fabulous, the rest are meh (not teacher bashing but DS1 had them too).
I don't want to buy mugs or candles, but don't know if alcohol would be appropriate. I previously bought wild flower grenades, will I just do that again?

[Dilshin]

I always buy our teachers a gift card for a local cafe and our children write a little note about having a well deserved cup of tea and slice of cake. We have received so many thanks for them and they are always appreciated.......

[83maddog83]

As a TA I can assure you that I, and all the staff i work with appreciate every gift we get. The children are always so excited to give them to us and its lovely to know that we're appreciated by both parents and children. Of course we never expect gifts, but the fact that you think of us is lovely. Alcohol is definitely acceptable - I often get bottles of prosecco and they go down very well! The wild flower grenades sound lovely too.

[Maxineputyourredshoeson]

My DD’s have 10 teachers and TA’s between them and it gets so expensive. This year I bought them handmade reindeer soap. My DD’s are going to write them a thank you note and pop them both inside a Christmas card. My thought was most people need soap.... (I ordered just red, white and green ones. They are Christmas scented too)

[Ferrisbuellersdayoff]

My husband is a teacher and he really appreciates a card or letter.

He doesn't drink alcohol but gets given lots of bottles of wine or whisky which he then gives away. His favourite ever presents from students have been inexpensive but have shown some degree of thought or knowledge of his interests.

[ByeByeTrain]

Echoing what pp have said, I'm a teacher and we really don't expect anything. However, what I love to receive is a cards or letters from parents and the children. I love Christmas baubles too - I decorate our class tree with them, and remember the children from previous years.

[ysmaem]

Previous years I've bought wine glass charms which seemed to go down well and a box of chocolates for the teachers to share in the staff room. I'm absolutely stumped this year what to get. Ds1 only has 1 teacher but DS2 has class teacher, classroom assistant and his 1:1 support teacher to buy for. I'm thinking tree bauble this year as I quite like that idea!

[henryscatoscar]

Hello

Red or white wine. End

Thanks

[LollyBeebee123]

I’m a teacher and never expect anything, but I am grateful for the gifts I get. I agree with the other teacher that mugs/candles/smellie/chocs are a bit over done. I once got a book shop voucher (£10) which I really liked. I went to the store chose myself a book and had a coffee whilst there which was a nice little time out for me from being teacher/mummy. I always make every child who presents me with a gift think I love what they have given me. I also reassure kids that don’t/can’t bring presents, that I get so many presents and don’t need more. Often those kids draw a special picture for me that I put on my fridge at home for a short time. Don’t feel obliged to buy anything.

[OhMyDarling]

Teacher here- no coffee or chocolates and absolutely no mugs!!!!
Club together with a few more mums and get a gift voucher.

Honestly, most other stuff will be given away. Home made food is most often binned.
It’s not because we don’t appreciate these things it’s just that when you have been teaching a few years, you really don’t need your 119th best teacher mug, chocolates you hate/are allergic to or coffee that you won’t drink.
It’s not grabby, it’s just an honest statement when I say I really, truly, honestly, deeply appreciate a voucher that I can spend on myself- it means so so much. I never spend a penny on myself so if I get a voucher (no matter what the value), it really makes my day. I use my John Lewis vouchers for a small top up food shopping when I’m totally skint over August or in January, and have been able to see friends over a pizza in pizza express- all because of a really thoughtful voucher gift. One year I bought cheap kitchen lino from b&q after a kitchen flood which would have ruined my Xmas if not for the post office voucher I had received from my class.

Of course you don’t need to buy anything at all, but if you’re going to go to the effort of a gift, get one that will really enhance a teachers holiday (/life)!!!!!

[RedPoppiesAndSpots]

I make rhubarb or plum gin each summer in readiness for this very thing. Small bottles from Amazon. Gin for all. Hand written label by DCs. Leftover kept for Christmas

[BelindasGleeTeam]

I think the costa vouchers are a lovely idea. I'd love those, as a teacher.

But letters are very much the best gift. I kept mine through the years. Some days I need to read them to remind me why I do the job!!

[Ahelli]

I'm lucky I work in my child's school so it's easy for me to find out their favorite tipple and send that in for them

[BakewellGin1]

Ohhhh well after reading this thread I might go for a costa voucher or nice notebook 😁

[Stompythedinosaur]

We give a small box of chocs. Have to give something small as there are quite a few teachers and TAs who work with the dc. I personally couldn't care if they throw them away after, my dc just want to give something to their teachers.

[neversleepagain]

I give John Lewis vouchers every year. I am a teacher and would appreciate this myself. I would never buy a physical object for any teacher.

[Ilovemyhairbeingstroked]

I just wouldn’t bother to be honest . I used to, then one year I thought I would rather save the money and use it on our own Xmas stuff . I had the same problem as you lots of part time teachers and TAs so it mounted it . I always thank them in some way at the end of the school year anyway . I’m sure they don’t care . Infact , I’ve seen some teachers appear really unappreciative.

[shellysheridan]

I've had a few tree decorations over the years and genuinely think of the children when putting them up. I can see how it could get too much though. I've probably had 5 over 15 years so it's manageable.

I appreciate anything handmade or a nice card with a note the most

[Emeraude]

How funny, @capsule. I was never given a single tree decoration and I think that would have been lovely. Wildflower bomb sounds great, as do Costa vouchers. Anything is nice to receive, although I gave away any smelly stuff. Unless it's from Selfridges, I'd rather have a nice card. Always appreciated the effort and remembered it though!

[recklessgran]

These are a great little gift;
realcoffeebagco.com/product/gift-tin-10-coffee-bags/

[Sooverthemill]

@Loveoddthings if you have 30 children in your form you get 30 things to take home most of which you don't want. Plus the kids you teach classes to, so 5 x classes each week many of whom also give gifts. It's really really unnecessary. Vouchers for the local costa etc are nice I guess but I would have far rather had a card from the child than ££ from the parent. And no one needs stuffed things with 'best teacher ever' on it!
Of course all presents are unnecessary. Tbh we're not big present givers in our family either

[Barbarara]

In our school the parents organize a voluntary collection and get the teacher a card and gift voucher. Lots of parents say they appreciate it as it’s less stressful and we know the teacher gets something more useful than 24 boxes of chocolates. There’s no obligation to take part.

[MinisterforCheekyFuckery]

We do Costa gift vouchers.

[Loveoddthings]

We don't need presents ( former teacher here)
Not many of us need presents

I write a card of thanks and enclose £15 voucher

They do so much for my children. Day in and day out. This is my tint way of showing my appreciation

[Loveoddthings]

Vouchers!
For local shopping Center so they can select shop

[LazyDaisey]

Lol capsule, that’s quite funny. Why didn’t you just regift them? I noticed a lot of panettone shaped boxes in our class last Xmas.