If you were a teacher - what would you rather?

[tistheseeson]

Box of doughnuts to share between staff

Individual gift such as box of chocolates or biscuits

Body wash / hand cream but nice versions

Costa voucher

Any other similar suggestions welcome otherwise an idea on preference of the above and perhaps any you really wouldn't like.

Box of chocolates please, not too expensive!

If rather have an Amazon voucher than a costa voucher. Can buy a book then

Any of those but the doughnuts to share. Normally that would be great, but in my school, the staff room is shut and people are not sharing food (covid)
Honestly though, my nicest present is a really nice card with a lovely message , and an email to the headteacher.

Best vouchers I ever received were John Lewis and for the cinema.

Another vote for vouchers. So many of my colleagues and I are careful about what we eat and wouldn’t eat doughnuts - they would all be eaten by about 3 male teachers in the end!
Waterstones, M&S, JL or local independent voucher would all be really well received, as would a card from your child.

I’m only a TA but honestly appreciate all the gifts I’m given. I’m not often given vouchers as people don’t tend to spend as much on the TA (unless it’s a whole class collection). As PP said we aren’t really sharing food at the moment but otherwise any of your suggestions are fine. And also not necessary either.

There are always some families that don’t give gifts and it’s absolutely fine. Last Christmas I was a 1:1 with a child and I didn’t get a gift but the words in the card I got made me cry!

Gifts absolutely not necessary, but if you wanted to, definitely Costa for me.

Is be happy with absolutely anything.

I get dry skin so the hand cream would be great for me. They are all lovely.

If you’re sending food to share, better to send wrapped stuff as in individually wrapped chocolate biscuits etc, as if school are anything like ours at the moment we aren’t supposed to have shared biscuits/cakes.

@Chickoletta that's a really expensive suggestion- donuts can be cheap whereas a voucher for all really adds up!

Not chocs or biccies as too many are given.
Hand cream and vouchers.

I would have liked a 'class plant' to keep in my classroom. School budgets don't run to such things!

@Tulipvase
You aren’t only anything
TAs are every bit as important as teachers. Hope you get lots of chocolate!

Thank you @BlueFlavour.

@friedeggandsauce - you are right. I wasn’t suggesting a voucher for everyone. 😳
As is always said in these threads, teachers don’t need or expect anything but people like to give nonetheless. I was imagining this as a class collection, as my DD’s class have done, in which case vouchers are lovely to receive.

As I’ve said before, DS is a primary school teacher and what he likes best are cards made by the children or notes from them. He finds these most meaningful. At the end of the year he appreciates letters from parents who take the time to tell him how much their children have learnt. Usually he goes home with a car boot full of chocolates and wine and the odd cycling gift as the children know he loves cycling.

A smile is enough

Card with a nice message and a voucher is lovely but honestly I appreciate any and every gift I have been given, even the 3D holographic poster of kittens and the reduced chocolates from one family.

[quote AnGofsMum]@friedeggandsauce - you are right. I wasn’t suggesting a voucher for everyone. 😳
As is always said in these threads, teachers don’t need or expect anything but people like to give nonetheless. I was imagining this as a class collection, as my DD’s class have done, in which case vouchers are lovely to receive.[/quote]
@AnGofsMum sorry I thought you meant for all!! Yes vouchers in that sense is good 🤣

John Lewis or Amazon vouchers!

Personally I'd like something the child has drawn or written IF they wanted to, not if they were made to. A sincere thank you from the parent, would be the best gift from them. No money needs to be spent to make me happy. But if they really wanted to buy a gift, then I'd most enjoy a Christmas decoration, scarf, gloves, cute post it notes,
But individual gifts are just that really, individual.

Most generic gifts I could eat/use so would be donated/given away to neighbours/friends, so while I'd very much appreciate the kind thought...

Ask your child, they might be inspired!

Class collections & an Amazon voucher are great.

Card with personal message is best. However, if Secondary then most things received gratefully as gifts are not regularly given (Primary totally different). Boxes/tubs of Roses etc to share in our Faculty always go down well.

I think a voucher is the best option - preferably one that covers many stores! A couple of years ago I gave a ticket-sales company voucher to no.1 son's teacher, who loved going to concerts. Had to stick to the official limit (Australia, or at least NSW, is $50) so could only be part payment but still better than nothing!

This year, no.2 son's teacher is going off on mat leave as well so that made it easier!

No food sharing here either - but individual boxes of goodies are usually well received by our staff.

All of these are incredibly generous gifts.

Personally my least fave is toiletries but anything is very gratefully received. Cards / personalised messages are really appreciated.

I’m happy with anything but a Costa card would feel like a real treat, love going for a coffe!