So when did we start giving teachers presents?

[MummyDoIt]

Certainly didn't do it when I was at school (some considerable time ago as I'm in my early 40s). I was a bit taken aback last year by the stacks of presents handed over to DS1s nursery teachers. I'm a little more prepared this year but just curious as to when this tradition began.

Nobody did it at mys chool, interestingly it was only so-so when ds1 was at his forsts chool (changed part way through Infants)- Ormirian would know more about how that has grown than me I guess.

This school however is silly uber competitive sometimes! the aprents (those who were invited AKA everyone but me in the infants) contributed to a big gift, Christmas one was a £300 next voucher Now, maybe I'm stingy but thats bloody ridiculous- He does get paid to do his job!

I pay about £5 per head, that adds up as we have 1-1's etc, in total 11 people to buy for! DS3's 1-1 got extra as she was amazing and is leaving for promotion.

Some Mum's hough were saying they paid a fiver to the collection and were getting £10 presents as the fiver was too cheap! I mean, wtf?

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we didn't do it at primary or secondary. I had never heard of it before I came on MN.

Here (in Germany) the parent reps do a whip round, you give them a couple of euro (they tell you how much) and they buy something for each teacher from the whole class (flowers and a voucher)

I gave my primary school teacher cigarettes as a present, in the early 70s !! My dad taught at the same school and it was his idea. The staff room was always a fug of smoke..

pmsl janni

Just returned from kid's birthday party..Felt smug had teachers/assistants sorted but another Mum asked me what I have got for DS yr 6 buddy!
Back to the shops!

I remember getting my P6 or P7 teacher an enormous bar of chocolate as a present. This must have been early 70s. For some reason, I didn't given it ti her at school but (thought I) knew where she lived so an firend and I set out to give it to her. We either couldn't find her house or she wasn't in - so we ate it oursevles!

I was shocked today when the final pressie was handed over to my DD's class teacher. A beautiful silver necklace with precious stones set in it with a matching bracelet, an Orchid and tons of other pot plants and chocolates. I was embarrassed for her tbh. And that's not mentioning the other 4 teaching assistants!

I dont do it.Instead i actually go and speak to them in person and thank them for all their hard work

The same time Grandsparents Day was thought up.

I did it at primary school (eighties and early nineties) but not secondary