Xmas cards, gifts etc at school

[Pyrrah]

Is the idea of teacher's gifts and xmas cards to the whole class a relatively new thing?

Thinking back to when I was at prep school I don't recall any of us giving cards to classmates, or giving presents to the staff - although since there was a different teacher for each subject rather than a form teacher it would have got very expensive.

At secondary school, I think my parents bought the housemaster a bottle of something for having put up with us all term but xmas cards were not usually exchanged between pupils.

When did all this start?

No idea! The teachers get naff all from me. I bought ds1's teacher a present last year when he was leaving her class. It was a reflection of the time and energy she had put into both understanding his SN and helping him with it. It wasn't overly expensive but very meaningful.

I would prefer to do this when I feel appropriate.

Dd's school sends out a note each year specifically requesting no presents, that suits me just fine

I'm aware I sound like a miserable old Scrooge but I'm really not.

Cards and gifts have been the norm here for 25+ years in primary schools

I always gave presents to teachers at school at Christmas and end of the year when I was at school. Am 37 :)

I'm old, and we did presents. We used to put in 20p each in the early seventies and buy our teacher a big present from the whole class - £6 went a long way in those days!!

We - meaning DM - used to buy our teacher in the last year of juniors Rothmans cigarettes in the early 70s. Anyone buy teachers cigarettes these days?

No presents or cards for or from teachers in Wiltshire in the 70s and early 80s. And very few between class mates, none until late at secondary. I genuinely find it hard to remember that ppresents are now the done thing and forget every year or remember too late to get anything thoughtful. Dd always makes her teacher a card, she loves craft. DS has to be reminded to write a card!

Definitely did an end of year present but maybe not Xmas.

I gave my primary teachers presents in the early 60s although I was aware that sometimes I was the only one.