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Original poster

What present would you buy for a Nun - serious question

33 replies

albert · 28/06/2005 10:04

Yes, well, it's a bit of a strange question isn't it but DS goes to a Catholic school and I want to buy his teacher an end of year present, especially since he may not be going back in September due to our immenant move. What do you think a Nun would like, shes about 65 BTW. I could get soemthing edible but don't think thats very inspiring although at the moment that's all I can think of.
TIA

OP posts:
gscrym · 28/06/2005 10:06

Boxing nuns. That way, the nuns can vent they're frustration in the staff room.
You could buy her a nice little brooch. My mum worked with a nun for a while. She didn't wear a habit and the only clue was a silver cross necklace. Mum bought her a brooch when she left and she was quite happy.

jampots · 28/06/2005 10:07

depends on how old your ds is but why not get him to make her a a nice book mark -

zebraZ · 28/06/2005 10:07

Flowers? Nice landscape (poster print), God's creation and all that. Nice tea-mug. Bath smellies.

God you're reminding me, should get something for DS1's school teacher and DD's nursery teachers! Wonder if there's a previous thread on that...!

Marina · 28/06/2005 10:07

I'm not RC so very ignorant about these things but I thought unless it was a teaching order, that most religious did not have personal possessions. I think your hunch to choose some edible treat might be a wise one albert, as she is bound to be able to enjoy this and also share it with the other nuns in the convent/school.
If ds is a bit of a one-off (only British child there for example) maybe he could draw her a picture or some other nice memento of their time together. I believe that teachers often prefer something "made" and personal to a bought gift?

Chandra · 28/06/2005 10:11

Well, it depends of the order tbh, but I would think that the severity of that is a thing of the past. They have personal possesions, though maybe not riches. (But again, depends in the order ;)

fishfinger · 28/06/2005 10:12

one of those chicken in africa?

or hand cream

starlover · 28/06/2005 10:13

maybe he could help you to make some cookies for her?

Chandra · 28/06/2005 10:13

his book was a firm favourite in religious groups some years ago, though being such a success chances are that she already has it.

Original poster
albert · 28/06/2005 10:14

Good idea about getting DS to make something - he's 5 and quite enjoys that sort of thing. Actually maybe he could help me make a cake for her - what do you think? I don't know either if they have personal possesions that's why I'm stuck. I was also wondering about bath smellies but I thought it was an odd thing to give to a Nun, don't know why though, they still wash don't they!

OP posts:
Chandra · 28/06/2005 10:14

This

Chandra · 28/06/2005 10:15

I think the cake is a very good idea.

Marina · 28/06/2005 10:19

I think making a cake is a lovely idea. I think ds' teacher was being sincere when she raved about the taste of a very wonky biscuit ds cooked and brought in for her...

sharklet · 28/06/2005 10:22

I would either bake a cake and help DS to do it. But if you think thats not enough why not buy her a gift from Oxfam, they sell cards and the like where you give money to the charity to buy a goat for a village or a water purification kit or suchlike and give to the person a certificate of the gift given on thier behalf.

Emma x

PooPooGirl · 28/06/2005 10:24

A book about the cistine (sp?) chapel... or if you really like her a cheap return filght to rome. I went for £20-ish I think

PooPooGirl · 28/06/2005 10:25

Following on from Shraklet - you could sponsor a child for her or buy a goat/chicken - I think they do that on Oxfam website..

Lonelymum · 28/06/2005 10:25

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh but I thought you might like the opinion of someone who used to be on the receiving end of end of year gifts from children (ex primary school teacher). I think it would be relevant to a nun as much as any other person.

Every year I taught a class of children of whom at least half would give a present at Christmas and somewhat less than that at the end of the year (no, it is by no means obligatory). Unless the parent is very lucky or the child in question was very special, most personal presents tended to be delightful at the time but not really my thing IYKWIM. I much preferred consumables, be they food, drink (even tho I don't!) or smellies, as then I could use them up and enjoy them for the moment, but was not obliged to hold on to something I didn't really like, to spare the child's feelings.

TBH, I friendly happy face popping into the classroom on the last day and saying "Thank you so much for teaching X. S/he has enjoyed being in your class so much and has learnt such a lot" was as much of a present as I really wanted.

Marina · 28/06/2005 10:25

Yes, or she may have a favourite aid charity (CAFOD? Christian Aid?)
tee hee PooPooGirl, I'm not sure this nun needs a flight to Rome...

Hausfrau · 28/06/2005 10:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PooPooGirl · 28/06/2005 10:28

Sorry the flight was a joke, couldn't help myself [girn]. Reading back it's probably not obvious that it's a joke-whoops

Original poster
albert · 28/06/2005 10:32

I think that's a very good point Lonelymum, can't imagine some of the strange things you must have received.
I like the idea of a charity goat thing but I have never seen a charity shop in Italy (where we live) so I can't really go down that path. Would of course make a visit to the Cistine chapel very cheap but she's almost certainly been there at least once!
I think we go for the cake and maybe a nice smelly soap or something.

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Lonelymum · 28/06/2005 10:34

Oh I had forgotten you were in Italy. That would make the nun an Italian, right? Could you not make something traditionally English or Scottish or whatever you consider your nationality to be? I have enjoyed fantastic food from the cultures of the kids I taught!

PooPooGirl · 28/06/2005 10:36

LOL, I didn't realise you were in Italy!!!

Hausfrau · 28/06/2005 10:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chandra · 28/06/2005 10:39

I'm not sure about the goat, after all these women have given their complete life to good causes and maybe would enjoy a "me" gift for a change. Consumables sound very good, something with rose water in it?

Original poster
albert · 28/06/2005 10:58

Am I being dense - but why rose water Chandra, other than the fact that it is nice. Does it have some signifigance (sp)?
Hausfrau, where did you get the cross from?

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