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?

Dior handbags? It's another universe...

Y'know what though? It all sounds a bit...shallow. Spending money to be seen to be spending money. I'd rather have my cookbook.

Absolutely, you can't buy class.

I would be absolutely mortified to get a dior handbag. I also would probably not want one either . A handbag is quite personal .

Me too - I like really plain, simple bags. But I'd feel like I had to use it as they'd spent all that money on it...

"If they are in general practice long enough in any one place all doctors receive gifts from their patients. General practitioners, living as they do with a particular population for perhaps two or three decades, get used to the various manifestations of patient gratitude that come their way. Among the more unusual items that I have been given are a leather jacket, two original oil paintings, an electronic chess set, a wall hanging with real peacock feathers, and a light up model of the Taj Mahal. Chocolates, small items of clothing, and alcohol are more standard."
www.bmj.com/content/312/7023/128.1

bma.org.uk/-/media/Files/PDFs/Practical%20advice%20at%20work/Doctors%20as%20managers/Managing%20your%20practice%20staff%20services/gpacceptingdonationsfrompatients.pdf

I agree Numberlock. The classiest and most meaningful way to say thank you, is to simply just say 'thank you'.

You can't put a price or a 'reward' on a decent bit of teaching and lavish gifts seems to imply there is a price to be settled on it. Some things just can't be weighed and measured like that.

I agree Everlong.

We generally do collections but I've spent more on teachers who my dc have loved.

I wonder though if vouchers is not a better idea be they travel/hotel/restaurant/dept store just to give flexibility.

Where does it stop? Has anyone ever given an expensive present to a GP?

Well, given that GP's can earn £120k, I don't think they would be bowled over by a present from a patient.

On the other hand, on £20 odd grand a year, I was bowled over last year when a parent gave me £30 in Amazon vouchers. Incidentally, I used it to purchase some books I was desperate for in order to teach a particular unit of work (and couldn't afford)

Bonsoir I think it's lovely that you would want to get your teacher a present. Personally, I would be very touched.

Obviously GPs get gifts or the BMA wouldn't have rules regarding accepting gifts above certain values from patients.

"She needs something that shows that we appreciate the strong cultural dimension to her teaching..."

That will be a Mulberry bag then.

Surely an original artwork would be the thing, if you want to show you appreciate the cultural dimension to her teaching.

ie a proper work of art, not a lump of clay made by the children, obv.

But how do you know what kind of art she likes? Again, it's so personal. You don't want to spend loads on a painting she won't want in her apartment.

but the same applies to any gift you buy for someone you don't know well.

But how do you know what anything she likes?
Handbags are personal, silk scarves are personal, chocolate is personal (my mum hated it and was given loads)....
I am assuming you would base it on something, like conversations you'd had about art in the past.

You don't and that is the nightmare of buying for relative strangers

And why vouchers are good!

I confess even my nearest and dearest find me a nightmare to buy for ...

Tickets to an exhibition or a play in the autumn as I presume she will be away all summer holidays. With a pre paid theatre dinner beforehand with drinks at the nearest smart restaurant.

You could offer to babysit as well:)

My Dad was a GP. He did get gifts occassionally and whilst he was very glad the patients felt he was giving them a real help he also found it absolutely mortifying. Usually because it was the poorest widow who had saved up her pension for weeks to buy him a bottle of whiskey or wine. He really didn't do the job for gifts - I imagine a good teacher would feel the same no?

So being generous to a teacher is shallow? Or not classy enough? Seriously, what mealy mouthed mean spirited bollox. If you can't afford to do it, then fine. Its clear that teachers don't mind or expect. But to suggest that those that can well afford it shouldn't show their appreciation is just yuck. Is it better to spend it on yourself? Is that somehow deep or classy?

I'd heartily recommend Fluid Forms for really bespoke, personal and quite arty gifts. The quality is fantastic and they are lovely to work with.

We got a clock centred on the first flat we bought together - people always comment on it, it's quite something. I've also given some of their jewellery.

But I think just about every teacher on here has said they would mind . Most teachers have said that the best gift is simply a letter or cardto say thankyou.