Are we meant to buy for Teachers & TA’s?

[Essexmate]

Eldest has started school so this is my first experience and I’m not clued up on school etiquette! Are we meant to buy xmas gifts for the teachers? What about the TA’s? What on earth do I buy??

We do a class collection of a few pounds each usually to avoid 30 presents. Works out better and cheaper than buying smelliest, choc etc and they get vouchers to spend on something they chose.

No teacher expects a present, but lots of parents will and the children like to give them.

I always did a small token just so DC had something to give. When I had the energy and inclination I got DC to plant a hyacinth bulb, mostly I gave hand cream or sweets.

Yes, I included TAs

You don't have to, but many families will. My dc really like having a small gift to gift.

Ask the other parents to club together (£2-5 each ) and buy some vouchers .

Judging by how things are at the primary my daughter teaches at a nice big bottle of hand gel and a pack of top quality face masks would be perfect 🤣

Never done them here. DD usually makes a card for each teacher/ TA, occasionally she chooses to make them a small gift but that's it. I think we're quite unusual though as I see a lot of kids taking things in and a few do a collection between them, I think. I suspect some parents buy presents they probably can't really afford.

I don't earn much, and teachers definitely earn a fair bit more than I do so I don't feel bad about it. Plus I've always worked in the public/ voluntary sector and never worked anywhere where it's been allowed to accept gifts of more than about £5 so it baffles me how teachers are allowed to accept the high value gifts some of them get.

Buy or don’t depending on what you prefer. We don’t expect gifts but [most of us] do appreciate everything we do get given. I wouldn’t really notice if people don’t buy a gift.

My advice is:

Don’t try to show off by dragging the biggest gift bag through the playground. The parents that make grand gestures like that are usually the ones bitching behind our backs.

If you buy for the teacher, buy for the TA too especially if they help your child with something specific.

Hand drawn cards and pictures are appreciated.

Avoid homemade food as some staff are picky about that (I’m not 😂).

Oh and the most important advice is don’t ever cut back on anything else so that you can afford to buy us a present.

Retired teacher here - secondary so not many Christmas presents received over the years.

The very best thing was a parents' message of thanks on a card.
I kept it for YEARS.

At my DC’s school we all put in a contribution and buy a class gift. No obligation to put in and all names go on the card regardless but the majority put in about £10, which is put in the pot and used to cover gifts for both the class teacher and the TA. Last year we got each of them a bottle of good gin, nice tonic, a scented candle and a pot plant.

Usually give a box of biscuits big enough to cover the teacher and TA... dd has 2 teachers, one of which used to be DS teacher years ago, pretty sure she’s vegan so might send in some vegan chocolates aswell ...

Last year, when things were really tough with Covid, I made a box for the staffroom. Fruit, mince pies, cheese straws, mince pies…. Didn’t cost loads cos I got it all from the supermarket. Took it in early December so they had time to enjoy it. I think they were pleased.