"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.

DS has told me his teacher likes fudge. We are wondering if she has been dropping hints to the children

DD2s teacher told them all a few weeks back he didn't drink wine, so that's the easy option crossed off the list.....

this is what I made for DDs teacher incase anyone needing some inspiration vanilla cake recipe

OK, dumb question, but when you give a cake, how do you present it? I mean, what do you give it in/on?

You think wine - I've always rejected that in the past - what if they don't drink?

Now that all 3 of mine are in school, I think I will do cards only...well, ds1, secondary school now, won't take anything, as it is to embaressing....

might bake Brownies and Lemon drizzle cake for the staff to share....

I sat in a cafe and cried as I wrote thank you cards to my ds's teachers and one to one support worker, it has been two rollercoaster years with him at nursery.... and he is starting school after summer, so I was very emotional, I did laugh at my teariness, dh was horrified/bemused.

I know they are doing a job, but they did it so well, I feel like my ds had the best start he possibly could with their patience and support.

I would not encourage my dc to take a present in unless they want to... dd painted a picture on a miniature canvas, she worked really hard on it, and it was what she wanted to do.

We did kitty and bookshop vouchers. Went down very well. For nursery we did kitty and Tiffany necklace.

Why? Why do people do this? When did it start? DO teachers notice if they don't get apresent, and does it matter if they do anyway as your DC is going to be with a difference teacher next year anyway. Note maybe, a thank you for your hard work at the gate or atparents evening maybe, but a present?

tbh Libra I am sure teachers will not notice if they don't get a present from a child. However, in my own case (as a usual NON present buyer)I wanted to be a present giver this year simply because DS's teacher, TA and one-to-one worker have been so fantastic. The difference in him after an academic year in their care is amazing and as far as I am concerned they have gone above and beyond the call of duty at times to support him. This is why I am a present giver this year.

Also not sure who said "no tacky figurines" but I hope the Willow Tree Angels are not tacky. Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all I suppose. They might hate then but then at least could e-bay them .

For me it's just an addition to the cards telling them all they are fantastic and I've really appreciated their support for DS.

I really don't want to give a present to one of my DCs teachers as she has been appalling all year. No empathy at all with parents, very rude at times and I just don't like her. Unfortunately DD seems too and has chosen a card with the best teacher on. I have told her it is up to her if she wants to take a present in but purely so that she doesn't feel left out if she is the only one who does.

On the other hand, my other childs teacher is lovely and will be getting some chocs as per the other teacher plus a gift I am choosing today.

Playschool are getting loads of stuff.

I would like to point out I am fairly hypocritcal as when my DS goes up to the next room at 14months I will be getting the nursery staff something but that's because he was 7 months old when he went there and they just seem to take such good care of him with lots of cuddles and playing. I am not taking away from teachers doing a good job, it just seems different.

...only one who doesn't.

There is obviously no obligation to give gifts apart from your name being entered in the black book

I have given wine before. DD's teachers, so far, have always appreciated it. I know they enjoy ther wine

Have also recieved wine int he past when teaching and, again, was always appreciated here.

My mum still has some things that children made for her 20/30/40 years or more ago. She doesn't drink, eat chocolate/sweet things, and can't use smellies (severe eczema), but she always loved things made by the children.

Home made card. I can't afford wine, chocs, cheap braclets, soap, etc.

It will have to be a card and that's it

When my DD finished her first year in school, she adored her teacher, so I got a little frame, and DD made a little card saying "I love you Teacher" with lots of hearts and flowers. The teacher was a little teary eyed when she opened it. She still (5 years later) gives her a big smile and a chat when she sees DD around the school.

As a teacher I always appreciate heartfelt cards - from parents or children depending on age of child (have taught all sorts from 4 - 13 year olds.)

Gifts I do remember over the past 10 years include a girl coming up and saying 'Can I give you my gift now?' and giving me a hug

Another one I remember was from a child (and her parents) who I had had in my class for two years. Very much the other end of the financial scale from the previous - this family gave me an Egyptian cotton bathrobe! I was heading off to teach in Boston, USA and they thought it would be useful in the cold! It was - even though it took up nearly a whole bag itself. I still use it today and the child (9 at the time) is now finishing year 10).

And for parents not giving gifts - that if fine. I remember specific children from things during the year rather than whether they gave a gift or not.

As a parent, DD1 finishes her first term at pre-school next week. Not sure whether I will be sending a gift, but will send a card.

Oh and after my year of teaching in USA the class parents had a kitty and gave me...the cash! Several hundreds of dollars

They had done the same at Christmas and I used it to buy a flight to Seattle from Boston.

I will do:-

Teacher and TA in dd1's class - acer in pot tied with ribbon (cheap and cheerful)

Nursery teacher - a bracelet/earrings - dd2 is leaving to go up into reception.
Nursery TA x2 bottle wine each

Plus the dds will do homemade cards.

I am a class rep and we are doing a collection for the teacher and TA only.

I mostly certainly have NOT specified an amount, I think that is rude. £2 to someone may be worth more than £20 to someone else.

All the children are decorating labels which we will stick in the two cards.

The PTA give gifts to the music teacher, office staff, caretaker, etc. Gets out of hand for parents otherwise.

The teacher is moving back to NZ, so we may give her $NZ dollars, I think.

Bit of a dilemma for me, as DTS's teacher has been fantastic but DTD's was rubbish - I'm not sure she even knows DD's name! I can't very well send DS in with something lovely for his teacher and DD with just a card or something, can I? I'm thinking along the lines of a big box of squishy home made cookies to put in the staffroom, and then discreetly slipping a voucher inside DS's card while he's not looking.

God, the lengths we go to.....

The things I've kept (speaking as a teacher and trying not to sound ungrateful0 picture made by the child and thank you cards from parents. I love flowers so a bunch is always nice but I feel very embarrassed by gifts in general.

Personal feeling is I'd much rather have something small from the child (homemade card or pic than cash (collection? shudder! )... sorry

If you want to give a cake buy a cake board, they are only about £1.50, then wrap the cake in cellophane and tie a ribbon round it.