"this is IT" ( to coin a phrase) the all time ULTIMATE END OF TERM PRESENT for TEACHERS thread

[Simples]

put them ALL here
no shirking

PULL that skirt down and no pushing.

Someone at our preschool gave each staff member a sunflower. They looked lovely and all the mums went 'ooooh that's a good idea!'

oh yes.

My DS's teacher, TA and one to one support worker have all been amazing this year. I have gone a bit mad and bought them all a Willow Tree "Angel of Learning". A bit kitsch I know but it is at least something they can keep (if they are inclined) and also conveys the thought behind it. They are all getting a card as well. DS has thrived under their care.

The absolute best end of term present I've ever recieved was a Bounty bar and a home made card. The child had noticed that when we had Celebrations (usually as an end of term tutor time treat)I always took the Bounty. I nearly cried. Just wanted to let you know it really is the thought rather than anything else that counts. To be honest, given how we are sometimes spoken to by parents just one parent writing a note to tell you they appreciate you and what you've tried to do is priceless.

As a TA I have bought Dds TA a lovely botel of wine and some chocs - she has had a nightmare group of children all year and more importantly kept them out of the class so dd could actualy learn!!! Worth the wine n chocs!!! DD is unofrtunately in a very immature and hyper year group so all help at removing the distractions is very much appreciated! yes, I agree rthe TAs DO usually spend more time with individual children but it depends on the teacher and the ta. DD and DS both had fab teachers and I bought 1 a necklace (I work with her so know whe'll like it) and the other wine cos she'll like that!! For Beaver's/rainbows leaders, cover teachers etc (they get them regularly to cover for PPA) I bought the mini bottles of wine (£1) in tesco at the moment and a box of maltesers for 99p. Popped them in a 40p bag - nice enough present. Otherwise it would cost a fortune! Someone said no to smellies - a teacher I used to work with loved getting them! Another teacher I work with doesn't drink so let's hope she passes any wine onto me!!!

'To be honest, given how we are sometimes spoken to by parents just one parent writing a note to tell you they appreciate you and what you've tried to do is priceless. '

Absolutely. A small thank you on the bottom of the report is also appreciated when you really have (honestly) put hours and hours of work into the children over the course of a year. No comment or a nasty comment is so deflating.

I'm making dd's teacher and TA a little handbag each and filling with chocs, cheap Primark bracelets and a soap. She'll also make them a lurvely card

A dozen damask roses

A case of vintage Pol Roger

....

Not really, but I think it's all getting out of hand. It used to be a box of coffee Matchmakers when I was a kid, and then only for the nice ones.

As a teacher, I can honestly say that a heartfelt 'thank you' is very much appreciated. I'd never expect a gift from any of my parents so any positive feedback (verbal or gifty!) is really lovely and much appreciated. I work with SEN kids who don't give much in the way of appreciation or gratitude so when it comes my way from parents, it's especially nice!

i had a brain wave.
fruit
who doesnt like fruit?

i take it i had the final say

I'll second what other teachers on here have said - I'd rather have a sincere thank you/a card than anything fancy, which can make me feel awkward. I am relatively well-paid to do my job after all - it's not charity work - and I can afford to buy my own clothes from Per Una or otherwise .

But please, I'm BEGGING you - NO TACKY ORNAMENTS!!!

Nothing.
Bugger all.
Jack shit.
Diddly squat.

That is what they will get off us!

I just dont get the present for the teacher thing.
I could see the point if the odd parent thought that teacher had done something uber wonderful for their child, but for just doing their job I just dont get it.
Like has been said, a little note of appreciation maybe, but I watch year after year as the same group of mums all try to improve on last years gift.

Each to their own though I suppose. They prolly think I am a tight fisted bitch! LOL

Funny story! Well I think its amusing. One school my DD went to, there was a rather pushy type of mum who decided that the teacher would love the special gift of a framed photgraph of her daughter. Did she really think this teacher was going to put this photo on her mantlepiece?? . I mean I am as guilty as any other mum in thinking my DD is pretty damn wonderful (most of the time LOL) but would her teacher want a framed photo of her?? I am guessing not!

Anyway we have moved away but I am still intouch with one mum at the school who informs me that the same mum has apparently had phtograph mugs made for both her DD and DS teachers this year!! Would love to be a fly on the wall in that staff room! PMSL!

Well based on having read this thread and the most recent post I shall write 3 heartfelt thankyou cards

DS absolutely cannot bear the dinnerladies, lollipop lady and several of the other teachers so we wont bother to thank them (he wakes up sometimes to have a grumble about them his dislike is that great!)

So three nice cards it is - with something tasty if I can think of something

Are homemade edibles such as biscuits or choc brownies ok???

and i shall suggest dd writes a card for her teacher
and mabye some raspberries or a bag of cherries

DS1 (who has just turned 4) decorated a mug for his 2 teachers and I have filled with tbags and hot chocolate and also a nice box of biccies. We made christmas cake and cookies at christmas to say thank you.

Yurty
onyl if you are CLEAN...
arf

My dh, who is a teacher btw, agrees with you slummymummy - it's their job. He thinks a card at most. Otoh, I think it is good for ds to show appreciation for all they have done for him and ds wants to give a gift.

I once got a homemade book of photo's and memories from a group of 3 friend. They'd really gone to town decorating it. It was lovely, and I still have it.
Agree with a simple thankyou, as oppose to being told how to teach by an account manager or something.

I made DD1's a cake and she helped decorate it, they all apparently got wired in during break and loved it

I usually give DD1's T a bottle of wine for end of year - I just grab one from the kitchen and recycle a wine gift bag.

DD2 just gave her teacher and TA a card each, she had told me what to write (a fairly noncommittal "Thank you for being at school" for TA, and "Thank you for having me" for teacher ) and painstakingly signed them herself - she is only 4.
I don't know if they even drink wine, and anyway if I'd given them a bottle each too there'd be none left for me

Yes
wine always a good idea