Amazing end-of-year present for a primary school teacher

[Bonsoir]

We are looking for inspiration for DD's class teacher, who is unanimously seen as a star. Collective gift, we will raise lots of money. We don't want to give vouchers. What do teachers want?

An orchid is a brilliant gift to remind teachers of a lovely class year after year. I also love the idea of having a class collection to include gifts for mums who have babies during that school year etc - a great idea!

But we are paid significantly more than hairdressers.

I get presents each year but would be mortified at getting an expensive one .

Schmedz - that's exactly how I view it. Only too grateful to hand over hard cash and let class rep do the organisation. Christmas gift will be reasonably small. Easter will be an egg with their name on. Summer will be vouchers so they can spend of give away as they wish. Job done. Can't see why anyone thinks this is a boast. I think those saying ' oh I hand made this or that' are far more boastful. Like those folk who post pics of fecking cup cakes on FB. Lord fecking save me from those!!!

I often have cake pictures on FB

Bonsoir, you may also wish to check whether any local rules exist about teachers declaring expensive giifts, or being able to accept them only if they are for the communal use of the school rather than as a personal gift.

Where a gift is of more than 'nominal' value, more and more schools and areas have put in place rules of this type.

Weekend in London + assorted goodies??

And £25 per family??

Fucking hell.

Just before our A levels, my friend bought all the teachers camping chairs, as a thank you. she figured she'd get them something unique and practical. They all thought it was fucking amazing.

Think outside the box.

I think someone years ago came up with the solution to this. That's why Roses chocolates were invented

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at 'weekend away' and 'Tiffany necklace'. Jeez

Lovey,where in the world do hairdressers get paid more than teachers?

A hairdresser may get a couple of quid as a tip from some customers but probably not a TIFFANY fucking necklace.

Are teachers even all owed to accept gifts of that sort of value without declaring them?

Why not ask the teacher directly? At least for some generic ideas of things she might like or would want to avoid. No need to say amount but if it is going to be a reasonable amount then it might as well be something she likes rather than something that makes her think it's a lovely thought but if only it was xx not yy.

It's hardly going to be a surprise to her that the class wants to give her a present at the end of term!

Bit late now but ds1 in his first year at school grew some apple seeds from an apple he'd enjoyed and decided to give one each of the plants that grew to his teacher and TA. He decorated the pots and wrote a nice card that they could just about decipher the bad phobic and worse spelling. They were both really touched that he had done that for them and it was a nice twist on giving an apple to the teacher.

Reeling, I wouldn't be. But the rules may be different in France. Certainly worth Bonsoir checking, as it would be hugely embarressing to go to the effort of co-ordinating an expensive group gift only to find that the teacher has to hand it over to the school for communal use or whatever!

I tip a hairdresser, waiter etc because:

a I think people working in such jobs rely on tips to supplement their wages.

b if I think they've provided good service.

Their job is a short one off transaction between us both where they are providing a service for the duration I am on the premises. The end.

I don't see teaching in that way at all and can't make the same comparison in my head. I don't begrudge a small token present. Maybe.

I've become less inclined to feel it's an automatic knee-jerk end of term thing that you do though. Probably because I have run into a few over the years who haven't hugely impressed me.

Interestingly I've noticed that presents for teachers is mainly a primary school thing. Since dd has been at secondary school it all largely dried up. It's just not what goes on there. I wonder if that's because the parents aren't so visible to one another and therefore not trying to out-do one another.

Eleanor, kwik fit (or french equivilant) is a great idea.

Amazing that some teachers compare themselves to hairdressers. I would normally put them alongside doctors and engineers but I guess I was fortunate to meet the best.

My dd is not at school yet, so I don't know what will happen with end-of-the-year presents, but I have never given any presents to my own teachers. Handmade cards and maybe some flowers. But I always expressed heartfelt thank-yous and passed all the best wishes for the summer holidays and "I cannot wait to see you in the new school year".

Did not realise it was not enough.

A thank you is worth more than any gift - even a Tiffany necklace

Lovey,where in the world do hairdressers get paid more than teachers?

Erm..Newly qualified teachers? Recently qualified teachers?

I earn significantly less than my hairdresser. I know because she's told me how much she earns, and I was speechless! (should have become a hairdresser apparently)

Yes, experienced teachers are on £30k+ and a Headteacher is very well paid. But the rest of us are not.

I would also suggest that just because a teacher is at the top of the pay scale does not make them automatically the 'best' - and likewise, at the bottom of the payscale, they are not necessarily poor teachers. Just new to the profession.

I dont think a gift and sincere thanks are mutually exclusive.

Of all the people who come into my family's life, I would say that teachers are the most deserving of a special treat.

Personally I would be very upset and embarrassed if I thought parents were expected to contribute a set amount for a "class present"

mrz Agree totally.

A card is the nicest gift your child can give a teacher imo.

I'm a secondary teacher so not many presents come my way (and we certainly don't expect them) but the nicest ones show actual thought. One lovely student bought me a specific cookbook because we'd talked about the cook months previously and I'd said I didn't have that book. I was so touched that she remembered. Honestly, I'd rather have that than a Tiffany necklace any day (plus - what if she doesn't like the necklace, or perfume? Those are very personal gifts). If you're determined to spend loads, vouchers for a luxury shop would be good - the best present is something you want but would feel guilty buying yourself, eg really expensive toiletries, so personally I think having vouchers that have to be spent on l

I'm a secondary teacher so not many presents come my way (and we certainly don't expect them) but the nicest ones show actual thought. One lovely student bought me a specific cookbook because we'd talked about the cook months previously and I'd said I didn't have that book. I was so touched that she remembered. Honestly, I'd rather have that than a Tiffany necklace any day (plus - what if she doesn't like the necklace, or perfume? Those are very personal gifts). If you're determined to spend loads, vouchers for a luxury shop would be good - the best present is something you want but would feel guilty buying yourself, eg really expensive toiletries, so personally I think having vouchers that have to be spent on lovely things would be a real treat. I'd love to be able to go mad on expensive make-up or something like that that I would usually not be able to afford, and I'd like to be able to choose it myself.

Have to say though, the gifts I treasure the most are the little notes of thanks. I've kept every single one since I started teaching and they mean the world to me.

WouldBe - I agree with small, personal gifts and cards, but I think a 'policy' telling parents this is the case is wrong. Suggesting also that, say an expensive necklace goes in the 'communal pot' is unworkable, would you sell it and divide the money up or let each person have it for a weekend!?!

It is great that you feel so pleased with this teacher but a word to the wise. Be careful becuause if you are too generous you run the risk of embarrassing her. I assume this is an independent school, if it were an LA school she would feel compelled to 'declare' such a large gift to the LA in line with their policy and they may ask her to return it - yet more embarrassment!
It is clear from the tone of other posts from teachers that a personal gift is much more appreciated than a large ostentatious gift that will might make it tricky for her in front of her colleagues in the staff room. This is especially true if they have taught the class previously and you have not been so generous. As in all gifts it is the thought and not the cost that matters.

I should mention that many parents at school give individual gifts - Dior handbags have been known - and it is common to raise 100s of euros for a collective gift for a popular teacher. So there are no issues there.