has anyone NOT got a present for their dcs teachers?

[littleyouandme]

Between my 3 dc there are 5 teachers (2 have job share ones). We are short of money at the moment and i had decided not to do presents, but now feel a bit guilty. Can anyone reassure me / give me their opinions?

Don't do presents. Stick with cards which DC have to write.

My ds will make cards- no presents.
I find the present giving all a bit much.

^ me too, I get a packet of blank cards and envelopes and get the children to draw a picture (with thought put into the relevance for that teacher/child) and write some nice words. I like to think that the teachers appreciate this more than 30 boxes of chocs or potted plants.

I think most teacher's would prefer a note that is particular to them and what they have done for their children. This year, my children's teachers are getting second-hand books! They happen to be books I think they will love, only available second-hand, and I will write a note to explain them.

I had the loveliest of cards made by the child themselves full of lovely prose! Honestly, between that & a candle I know which means more!!!

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I don't think the teachers hold it against you if you don't- and no one would want to feel that you had been made short of money by doing this, would they?

Me.
Home made card only.

Yes, and my daughter is making a nice card for her much loved teacher this year.

I haven't decided yet. We sometimes have a parental whip-round and get a voucher. That way everyone can put in what they are comfortable with. I wish schools would actively ban this practice. As it didn't happen when I was a kid I was caught on the back foot when I realised I was supposed to stump up when my dc started school.

No - DS leaves primary school this year and I have never given a present - I do send a handwritten letter of thanks (if appropriate ). I just don't 'get' this present idea, never did it in my day .

I do give presents to the people who volunteer to help my DS - ie: sports coaches, scout leaders, sunday school teachers etc.

For the first time ever I did not contribute to the collective class gift for DD's teacher nor did I buy her an individual present. She was useless and made DD very unhappy. Gifts are optional (for whatever good reason).

simbo - I agree that schools should actively ban present giving; to me it is slightly 'unprofessional' to accept a present - in many work practices you are not allowed to accept gifts, don't see why teachers should be any different.

Not getting a present for DD's teacher. I don't understand why I should give someone a present for doing their job. I might remember to encourage DD to make a card, but it isn't a priority.

We are giving jam jars filled with layered biscuit ingredients and instructions. Educational as my dd get to measure. They will decorate the jars and easy for teachers/ their children to bake at home in the holidays. Also boxes of teaching supplies (stickers, post it notes etc). Probably not as exciting or expensive as a big gift voucher, but my dd like to make something themselves. They will also write cards. If the teachers aren't happy, they are only teaching them for another week or so!

I've given a bit of cash for the first time ever to DS2's Y6 teacher as he's leaving the school. DS has done him a poster which a mum is binding into a 'book' from all the DC which is nice but, imho (and all the other mums I know!) the teacher's been 'fine' but not exceptional.

I am not a huge believer in present giving, by and large. A far more forthright friend once said 'Huh, they get paid, don't they?'

I'd send a card in for someone who'd gone beyond the call of duty but otherwise, no.

I don't unless I think they have gone beyond the norm for mine. They get inundated with stuff at this time of the year - I am sure they would be happy to not get most of it.

I got a lovely card from DS's housemaster today, thanking us for our present (a tin of liquorice allsoerts to be shared between the team). It was a really nice thought, and said lots of really nice things about ds

ds2 is making a homemade card for his teachers (not that he knows it yet!)

Don't do presents for school staff - I wrote a nice comment on the feedback slip for DD's report. DD can't be bothered doesn't want to do a card so they will get a cheery thanks and have a nice holiday from me when school breaks up.

I am not getting ds1 teachers a present this year. They have been useless.
However ds2 nursery teachers are getting a homemade card from ds2 as they have been fantastic

I don't as a rule, but this year DD2's teacher has gone above and beyond her job description to really help DD. My Mum suggested a few months ago I gave her teacher flowers in May so she would know they were really heart felt and not part of the end of term crapiness. Am glad I took her advise, for once, cos teacher really seemed to appreciate the acknowledgment mid term rather than getting lost in the crap they get at the end of term

I think it is unprofessional to accept gifts. I am a health worker and it is not allowed for staff to receive individual gifts. I found it a shock when DD1 started school. She made her three teachers a nice card each. I will never buy a gift, but will allow her to make something each year.

DD1(7) made cards for all her teachers, unprompted. No presents (9 teachers here)

Both dcs will be making cards for their teachers.

DD's teacher is also getting a bag that I made for her, because she is fantastic.

I have already handed in cakes to the office and dd's class to show my appreciation for all their hard work.

Ds's teacher will be lucky to get away without any verbal abuse, as she is lazy and absolutely useless. I have just come back from open evening, and I am fuming. She didn't even have the guts to talk to parents and hid in the staff room.

Sorry for ranting, but dh is unavailable at the moment and I need to vent!

No presents, no gifts. I may suggest to DD she make a card if she likes, DS won't do homework with enthusiasm never mind an optional extra written piece.

dd1 has done some home-made cards
if we get round to it at the weekend, we are going to bake a batch of biscuits and divide them between the teacher and TA.