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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

What is a typical teacher present?

26 replies

Onedropbeat · 05/12/2020 10:25

First year my DS has teachers and there are 4 of them.

What is a typical teacher present?

And why do people do this?

I don’t want to be the only people who don’t do it and DS loves his teachers so happy to but it’s certainly adding more to my to do list when I thought I was all under control

OP posts:
Fleetwoodmacs · 05/12/2020 10:26

I've gone with a box of those red Lindt chocolates, however it's my first year too so I'm not sure what is normal.

DianeChambers · 05/12/2020 10:27

Fuck all. Secondary.

Mumdiva99 · 05/12/2020 10:27

A box of ferraro rochet for the staff to share. (Size depending on budget). But equally I think the teachers would appreciate a home made card with a nice message in.

Original poster
Onedropbeat · 05/12/2020 10:31

@DianeChambers

Fuck all. Secondary.
I’m pleased to hear this doesn’t carry on to secondary school

It seems a tad frivolous and excessive to me

OP posts:
nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 05/12/2020 10:37

Dd just writes a card to each of her teachers. Ones she's really liked we do a small gift. We did a scratch card and a couple of chocolates in a cellophane bag which went down very well. The bags were 10 for a £1, we had a box of celebrations at home they chose some from (£3.50 on offer). Then £1 each for scratch cards.

I work in a nursery and we get given allsorts, honestly we don't expect it or need it. (If you do want to give a gift, boxes of biscuits/sweets/tea/coffee are always appreciated for us to share) or pens and little pocket sized notebooks/post its we always need them!

Smellybluecheese · 05/12/2020 10:46

My BIL is a teacher. He gets chocolate chocolate and more chocolate! Their house is always a good place to be at Christmas

thelegohooverer · 05/12/2020 12:19

We have a whatsapp group and organise a whip around to buy a gift card for the local shopping centre. One decent gift rather than a load of chocolates and it’s so much more convenient. I appreciate it so much that I will even volunteer to do the collection now and then Wink

Pipandmum · 05/12/2020 12:23

In junior school end of year oresent was a whip round for a gift voucher. Christmas was more individual and bottle of wine for head, homemade chutney for teachers or homemade fudge (the Martha Stewart one with marshmallows is so easy and yummy).
And yep we never did it in secondary.

TheGriffle · 05/12/2020 12:30

I’ve bought DD’s teacher a rainbow Christmas tree decoration, a pair of socks with a little rainbow on and a candle.

Last year I didn’t get the teacher anything, it’s not compulsory but DD’s teacher this year is wonderful and is doing a great job in difficult circumstances. For her TA I have got her a Christmas tree shaped candle from next.

Kez0777 · 05/12/2020 13:13

I'm an ETA in a special needs school, please don't think they expect anything because we don't. When children bring something it's a lovely treat but there is no expectation there.
Don't give yourself more to do or buy especially if you are already pushed for time or money.
If you really want to do something get your son to make them each a card.

formerbabe · 05/12/2020 13:14

I usually grab a nice box of biscuits or chocolates on my weekly shop as a gift.

JessicaJoans · 05/12/2020 14:35

If you do decide to buy chocolates etc for the staffroom (which will always be appreciated but are definitely not expected) please avoid those with nuts - in schools with children with nut allergies the staff probably won’t be able to eat them.

micc · 05/12/2020 15:46

My sister is a teacher and hates mugs! She has a million ahaha, what about a voucher for Costa or cafe Nero? Then they can get it as they want :)

Heartofglass12345 · 05/12/2020 15:58

Ours have asked us not to send anything in due to covid. If you are going to get them anything I would make it perishable as they probably end up with lots of the same thing

user686833 · 05/12/2020 16:03

Check in the class WhatsApp or Facebook group of there is a collection, or volunteer to do one. Much much easier and better in Covid times for the teacher just to have a gift card from everyone.

mamaoffourdc · 05/12/2020 16:08

Bottle of gin x

APurpleSquirrel · 05/12/2020 16:12

I gave the teachers a box of Lindt Balls earlier this week, to share (small school, only 7-8 staff total) as that way they can actually eat & enjoy them before the school breaks up.

ArthurChristmas2 · 05/12/2020 16:15

Teachers aren’t able to share round boxes of chocolates and biscuits this year due to COVID restrictions. Schools also ought to be saying no to cards being sent in unfortunately. (Local authority guidance Wales)

earsup · 05/12/2020 16:18

Are gifts a new thing....recently retired here from a sixth form college....i think i got one card in 20 years.....!!...very dissapointing....!!

mistermagpie · 05/12/2020 17:04

My son is P1 this year so it's the first time we've done gifts too. I he has two teachers so I have bought them a nice candle each (hand poured, soy ones made my a friends local business, not Yankee which everyone seems to hate!) so they can regift off they don't like it. I figure that's plenty as a token?

mistermagpie · 05/12/2020 17:05

God typos galore!

APurpleSquirrel · 06/12/2020 09:30

Our school are doing cards too - they've had a box out this week for each class, kids put their cards in the appropriate ones & they'll now be quarantined for a few days, then be sorted, & cards for each child will be put in an envelope with their name on & quarantined again, & then they'll be given the envelope in the last week of term.

CleanHankie · 06/12/2020 12:11

IF, and only IF you decide to give a gift, one for the staffroom for all staff to share is always a great idea as then all the backroom/support staff get appreciated too ie office staff, premises manager, floating supply and even the Headteachers, who get forgotten! Teachers appreciate the gifts they get but it doesn't work when the person in question is vegan/allergic/tea total.

Our staffroom got a hamper at the end of the summer term with nice tea bags, posh coffee and jars of sweets. Friday is treat day and one thing comes out of the box each week - it's lovely (will add it was a joint gift from one class).

However you don't need to get a gift. A lovely card with message from parent and child is always spoken about and much appreciated.

jocktamsonsbairn · 06/12/2020 20:56

You don't need to send in a gift and I don't know any teacher who expects it, especially not this year when people don't know how secure their job is etc. If you do want to do something then I would suggest something like wine, chocolates, sweets, candle, box of biscuits/shortbread. Please don't go down the 'best teacher' route as I don't know anyone who wants a plaque, teddies etc in their houses, same with mugs, you get loads!! I've always used the best teacher pens but donate the other stuff to charity except the consumable stuff which I do enjoy with my family! Costa vouchers are also always appreciated too!
This year in August I did send in £5 Tesco vouchers to dds secondary school teachers as they did really pull it out the bag in lockdown to help keep her going even though the Highers were cancelled. Said they could treat themselves to wine or chocolate as a wee thank you and appreciation of what they'd done.

user1494050295 · 06/12/2020 21:05

We do parents contributions if a fiver and her about £100 in vouchers and Prosecco and choc for the teacher and £50 for the ta