Christmas gifts for reception year kids

[Ellie2015]

Hi all,

It’s been an stressful time for kids and I want to gift something to kids in my LO’s reception class. (30 in each section). Are we allowed to gift something to the whole class? Would it be odd to do that? Any suggestions what could I choose other than books?

If select group of kids (Upto 10), what would be a good gift? Any recommendations?

Budget is not an issue but don’t want others to ‘feel’ the money side of things. Thanks so much

Speak to the teacher, they may think a token gift eg bubbles/pencil/stickers is a lovely idea or conversely say it's not possible. A class gift eg say to the teacher you would like to donate x amount for them to spend on craft supplies for example might be better - most teachers used to have a great catalogue full of activities which the school may not be able to afford due to all the extra costs - it should be anonymous to the other families though in my opinion

@OverTheRainbow88

Also issue with Haribo and such sweets is that is excludes lots of Muslim children who won’t eat it.

Yes and vegetarian and vegan children too.

Although I always made sure that her teacher had something to give her this time of the year anyway but not everyone knows Haribo contains gelatin.

Honestly I would avoid gifts for now and wait and see what happens rather than setting a precedent.

In our school there is usually a class secret Santa organised with a €3-5 limit and they all give cards to their friends.

You may be inadvertently treading on toes.

Although it’s a lovely sentiment OP, I really wouldn’t bother with some of the suggestions. A Santa pencil, some bubbles etc will be a 2 second wonder and then languish in a drawer or go straight to landfill. I say this as a veteran of many, many party bags, small end of term gifts etc.

I think it’s quite strange to give out gifts at Christmas unless you really know the parents/children. With the way things are this year do you know any of the other parents? Times are especially hard with Covid for many and I know you want to do a kind thing but it could make people feel very awkward and feel the need to reciprocate.
If you want to contribute to the class I would order school supplies in. I did this last year and found out what they needed. I bought a bunch of scissors, left and right handed, craft paper, a ton of glue sticks and they also wanted lots of boxes of tissues - especially handy in these months of colds etc. I ordered online and sent it directly to the school office addressed to the class. I did it without telling any other parents in the class, no need to broadcast a contribution.

I wouldn’t start it. You may put parents on the spot and they feel obligated to give a gift back.

We exchange gifts with friends but the parents organise it and we do a secret Santa. But these are friends since years, not school mates.

When my eldest started school, one of the parents gave every child in the school a book (about 80)

It was lovely and all of the children and parents appreciated it.

@Ellie2015

Yes sorry I did mean personally through parents not through school but that you think is unusual too?

I think it’s unusual and unnecessary. You will just be putting people under more economic pressure.

@Autumnspice

When my eldest started school, one of the parents gave every child in the school a book (about 80) It was lovely and all of the children and parents appreciated it.

You cannot speak for all 80 of those parents. Many would say a polite thanks but inwardly be thinking this better not be a 'thing' that I need to reciprocate.

Even getting 3 books for £1 80 books is still nearly £30, that could be a fair chunk of someone else's Christmas budget.

That is a very valid point as a new reception school mum I do remember thinking and being slightly concerned ‘is this what happens here’
I think I have the benefit of hindsight, as I realise it was a one off gesture from a parent that was never repeated.

I've concluded that if people really feel the need to give something they'd be much better giving to the school for something to be shared.
Or give a toy to a local charity or food bank who are collecting for poor kids.

Thanks so much everyone. Absolutely get the sense of what you all have advised. Thanks so much- school supplies is what I am going to go for and I really like the idea of both left and right handed scissors! xx

@Bikingbear

My daughter (8) has named 8 or 9 friends to whom we'll give small presents (mainly little baking kits as a fun girly Xmas thing to do ).

8 or 9 is a lot of friends to be giving gifts to. That could equate to all the girls in the class except one or two. I'd narrow that down to 3 maybe 4 of her closest friends.
I wouldn't get into the situation of buying all the girls because of the precedent it sets.

you do yours, we'll do ours

Off the track now, but LG looked a bit sad today when I went to pick her up in evening from after school club. She whispered to me she had poo’d in her pants. On enquiring she had poo’d apparently in school which was 3 hours before pick up. Her pant did have soiled dry poop. Should I raise it with after school club? Verbally or in writing? Find this hugely unusual for LG who is very resilient. LG also said no teacher in after school club is nice so she didn’t tell any of them! What should I do please?

I don't think it's weird at all. But then I have bought a little gift for each of my son's class mates. Nothing fancy - a little hanging Rudolph chocolate for their trees. I'm not trying to start a trend just being nice. I did it last year too.
I hadn't considered Covid as we're effectively in a bubble anyway and everyone is bringing everything to and from school anyway.

@Ellie2015

Thanks so much everyone. Absolutely get the sense of what you all have advised. Thanks so much- school supplies is what I am going to go for and I really like the idea of both left and right handed scissors! xx

Maybe check with the class teacher about what the class might appreciate? For some reason we have a bout 50 pairs of left handed scissors on our classroom On the other hand we'd be very grateful for an easel so the children can't paint whenever they want without me having to get the paints out in a table. Every class will appreciate something different.

@Ellie2015

Off the track now, but LG looked a bit sad today when I went to pick her up in evening from after school club. She whispered to me she had poo’d in her pants. On enquiring she had poo’d apparently in school which was 3 hours before pick up. Her pant did have soiled dry poop. Should I raise it with after school club? Verbally or in writing? Find this hugely unusual for LG who is very resilient. LG also said no teacher in after school club is nice so she didn’t tell any of them! What should I do please?

You might be better starting a new thread. I think I'd phone and speak with the school just so they know. I'm surprised they couldn't smell it. But then it's not like she's a toddler that you'd tip upside down and check. My guess is they maybe thought she was breaking wind rather than had a poo. I'd think she was probably too embarrassed to say to them rather than they aren't nice people. When I think about it After school staff probably are a bit more shouty than the very gentle nursery staff she's use too. But I think that dealing with larger numbers older kids who are just loud anyway. I'm sure theyd have dealt with it sensitively if she'd spoken up.

Thanks so much. I did speak to them the next day and they apologised that they couldn’t smell it or she was dirty. They confirmed LO was otherwise ok. And at the time I called, kids were playing outside with no issues. LO came home in evening in a good mood. I somehow think writing would have been better to keep a trail but at the same time think I need to be cautious what I am raising to them as they are not like private nurseries to Take things up seriously.

Btw Easel idea is great! Thank you will check with school definitely x