What is the etiquette re buying teachers a Christmas present/contributing to a collection?

[suebfg]

I've been asked to contribute a set amount to a collection for vouchers for DS's teacher and teaching assistants for Christmas. Obviously over 30 kids, it tots up to quite a bit of money per teacher/assistant. I think I'll have to become a teacher!

Is this the done thing? I thought a box of chocs or some home made mince pies for the staff would be a bit more personal.

collections tend to work better because teachers don't really want 30 boxes of chocolate, or 30 batches of mince pies!

Yes sue teachers become teachers to get a load of presents from their class at Christmas

thats the ONLY reason

No, I'm sure the hours from 8.45 to 3.15 help ahem :)

and the long holidays :)

Am just getting my marshmallows for the ensuing flaming...... I like the collection thing at ds' school. Saves me time & teachers/ ta's don't get crap.

If you don't want to take part then don't.

That's the tricky party - I don't want to take part really but neither do I want to be ostracised in any way.

Sorry 'part'

A bit of respect for the reality of teaching might be appreciated more than any gifts.

Don't give to the collection if you don't want to. The teacher won't hold it against you.

It was meant in jest ....

I don't get Christmas presents/cash for my job - neither do most people.

We pay a small lump sum in to a 'pool' at the beginning of the academic year. The Class Rep then buys one present from the whole class at Christmas & end of Summer Term. I love it, means I don't have to do anything. If someone doesn't want to contribute they don't have to but well over 90% agree it's the easiest option.

So it's an end of term thing as well as Christmas then. Is this the same everywhere?

I was referring to your comment about the hours. Was that supposed to be a joke?

I don't get Xmas presents for doing my job either. Like I said, if you don't want to contribute, don't contribute - I doubt the teacher will care.

Personally I am grateful for all that my dd's teachers do for her - they have a tough job, and they go above and beyond the call of duty. I like to express my gratitude through a little gift at Christmas, and I like the opportunity to teach my dd to express her thanks to those who help her. But a batch of home cooked mince pies does that every bit as well as vouchers or an expensive gift IMO.

I don't give presents at christmas to teachers, not sure I like the pressure of feeling I have too.. if a teacher or indeed anyone does something that goes above and beyond the norm, then I would write a card with a few words of thanks.

I work in the public sector, and a thank you card goes a bloody long way, in a never ending thankless job.

No, here the kids bring in little things like a chocolate orange,bubble bath, a mug, wine etc. All are appreciated but certainly not expected and a thank you message in a card is appreciated most of all :) I would be mortified by a collection, the only time Ive ever had one was when I went on maternity leave.

I was half jesting about the hours if I'm being honest. But I agree it was irrelevant to the thread.

As it happens, I'm not concerned that the teacher will care. I'm more concerned about being 'blacklisted' by the ones who organise it and have a 'list' of contributors and non contributors.

I think it is nice to show appreciation for the teacher but I think it is best for the child to choose or make a present i.e. it comes from the child not the parent. Giving cash/vouchers seems quite materialistic and impersonal to me.

It is lovely when children do bring you Christmas presents, but it is by no means expected and children are not judged if they do not. In fact, I often feel very guilty when someone that i know has little money presents me with a gift.

If you don't want to take part, don't. And don't feel that the teacher will judge you

We do collections at our school. I love it! Saves thinking of a present for someone you don't know properly and potentially getting it very wrong. Children can do their own christmas card to the teacher - write it themselves etc - that's the thoughtful bit, the cash collection is the practical bit!

suebfg - that's the thing about cash - it doesn't have to me materialistic - a teacher could spend it on the gas bill if they wished.

ho ho ho suebfg you sound like a total hilarious type. Ha ha ha so funnneeeeeee, you focussing on teacher's holidays, short hours and gifts at Christmas.

Obv you are too funny to be a teacher. Perhaps a comedian as your wit is like, razor sharp.

oh, and just to add - in our school, if you don't contribute, the teacher will not find out as there are no signatures associated with the cash - the collector writes the card. Parents and children are obviously free to send their own card (with words not money as well as contributing to the collection.

For f*'s sake - read the thread and take the joke ... doh

We tend to do homemade gifts and cards, too, OP. I agree that they are more personal, although we have bought gifts if dd has had a particular idea about what the teacher might like.

Can't you just say to the other mums that you have already sorted out your gift and won't be able to contribute? If they get judgy about it, their opinion is not worth worrying about. :)

I think one collection a year is enough so I don't like the christmas collection on top. I think it is unneccessary.

I think some, but certainly not all, teachers go over and above the call of duty and when that happens I normally add a personal gift and card on top of the collection. But twice a year is too much and when you have a few kids, it gets expensive. The issue is, as the OP says, not wanting to be ill-thought of by those collecting who have a list of names they tick off. So I contribute but actually I would prefer not to.