No Christmas gifts this year

[Negi]

I work in a school but I really don’t want any Christmas gifts from the parents of my class but how do I politely ask them not to bring me anything, I am not asking for all the staff members in my class because I don’t know their opinion on this just myself. There is a parent of my class who works in my school as well and I been thinking to ask her but how do I ask her to forward the message to the parents without sounding rude or ungrateful?

To be honest I think even if you asked it would just be ignored anyway, every year DDs school sends messages saying not to send Christmas gifts and that a drawing or homemade card from the kids would be most appreciated and every year everyone is seen carrying armfuls of stuff in regardless

I don't think you can.

Just say thank you and pass on things you don't want.

Thanks a lot because I really wasn’t sure if I should ask or not.

Why would you want to though . Parents want to say thankyou and if you end up with 17 boxes of chocolates drop them off at your local food bank , care home , hospice etc etc

You could ask that parents make a contribution to the school PTA as you would really like the children to benefit instead.

Maybe say that as kind and generous as the gesture is, perhaps instead of giving you a gift they could donate the money/food somehow instead to charities? I know if my sons teacher asked us to not give any gifts, and a card will be suitable - I would respect that. If they don't listen and insist, maybe just suggest a food item that you personally can donate to a food bank or something to help others (maybe don't tell them that, but it's something you can do). Or spin it in a way that shows you would rather them spend the money on their child/ren instead - since we're all struggling right now. That the children/families enjoying the holidays will be all you need. (Obviously word it better than I have, I'm not great at explaining 😆)

Maybe take it and pass it all on to charity.

Perhaps this is something to be discussed as a school staff team? Our daughters school have decided no presents for staff and respectfully asked this via the school news letter.

My DC's classes tend to do a class collection rather than lots of small gifts from each child. Don't most do this? I usually make a small donation to this and then buy something more substantial from the class Amazon wish list. Does your school have one? If so, maybe that could be an option to request no gifts for you personally but any purchases for the class or school from the wish list would be very much appreciated?

I suspect it's not the chocolate / wine that's the issue. It's the 30 x 'Best Teacher' mugs and similar tat that nobody really wants so you can't even donate to the charity shop.

@elevenplusdilemma

Yes I can absolutely see that being an issue .

My DSs teacher sent a message out this year that she really doesn't need anything and doesn't want parents feeling pressured to spend money on her. She has suggested that children bring an unwanted but good condition small toy or book and a sheet of wrapping paper to school, she will help/teach them to wrap and they will be given to a local charity. She added that she will provide books and wrapping paper for any children who don't have anything to take in.

She also added that if anyone does particularly want to give her something a homemade card will be treasured.

I thought this was lovely.

@CoffeeChocolateWine no, my DDs school don't. The last school they were in did. I'm probably the only parent in my oldest DDs class who gives gifts. A mixture with my other 2 DDs classes.

I actually feel a bit bad this year as I can't afford to give àll the teachers and TAs gifts. So I was thinking of buying cupcakes for the staff room.

I'd leave it. If you say no presents then it does seem as though the expectation is that parents gift you something. Just leave it up to individual parents.
BTW, my most cherished present was from a pupil who s homelife left a lot to be desired and who's parents had never bought a teacher anything. Her face when she gave it me and I thanked her for it was a picture, remember it decades later. She was so proud.