calling all teachers what gifts do you love?

[mam29]

I wnat to do something for dd1s teachers and support staff but not sure what?

Dds old school was very showy with huge collections like 300quid of shopping vouchers, flowers, chocs and wine.

Was horrible.

Last few few years made some pressies.

or brought something small inexpensive xmas was nice notebook and plant.

I dont want to go ott. So any tips /ideas?

Also would be odd to give token gift to head? dont want her to think im bribing her.

Just new school really do extra mile where as old school dident so most unlike me would rather get it sorted early thinking some sort craft project might look on pinterest.

Gift to head and whoever else is fine.
Wine is always nice or gift vouchers, nothing bathroomy as it's too personal and they may not like it. Chocs are very kind but fattening.

What do teachers really think of homemade edibles (made by parent, not snot-nosed brat)?

I am married to one.

Home made things are ace, especially if he I can eat them.

He likes home made cards :)

Please dear god no mugs.

He gets through a bazillion post it notes, and gets excited by nice ones, but that might just be him :)

You can't go wrong with vouchers. I always just bought a new book for class/school library. If you wat it for the heady individually an Amazon voucher would be perfect but best of all would be a letter of thanks from you. I have kept all such letters I received over 30+ years of teaching.

I love home made things the best!! I have a lot of little friendship bracelets, have had sloe gin and limoncello as well, and peppermint creams. I also loved the Chanel mascara I got one year, but the home made stuff makes me smile the most!!!

i usually bring them all bottles of wine

No wine please, I don't drink! Fresh flowers are lovely, but my favourite ever gift was homemade shortbread from a Scottish parent (I'm a v long way from Scotland) because it tasted divine!

As a parent and teacher the best that I have given or received are ...

A heartfelt message in a homemade card - this will always be Number One!

Canvas bag to carry marking home, personalised and decorated with fabric paint and pens. thecleverbaggers.co.uk/bags/reusable-cotton-shopping-bags and chose one with a gusset

Pens, stickers, funky post-it notes

Vouchers for Amazon or John Lewis if you're a school that does class collections.

Wine , if you KNOW they drink it.

Same goes for chocolate.

Costume jewellery / hair clips / scarves / etc of a type that you have SEEN them wear.

Flowers and homemade edibles are wonderful and the effort and thought is always appreciated. Trouble is - imagine if everyone in the class gives cupcakes... how will they get eaten before they go off? Does any teacher have 30 vases? A big box of something for the staffroom well before the end of term so that they get scoffed without wastage is good.

Please avoid lotions, shower gels, etc as you cannot know what they like or might be allergic to. Same goes for scented candles. Please no more mugs. Please no ornaments.

A card saying thankyou.

homemade crumbly condensed milk fudge - with loads extra for the staff room!! DD1 teacher liked it sooo much she raved about it last year to everyone....

There was an article in TES a few years ago about worst EOY presents. The one that stuck in my mind was an offering from a colourful family of a bottle of whisky with the security tag still on!

Try letting DC loose in a pound shop and see what they choose?

They were banned at my daughter's school which I think was a great idea. I don't give them ever.

One if the sweetest things I got was box painted and decorated by a child. It was about 3 yrs ago and still have it. The toiletries in the box were given away as I'm a it fussy about what products I use on my skin.

I am always happy with a bottle of wine or flowers.

I get waaaay too much chocolate and give a lot of it away. I also give away toiletries and often jewellery as it is often not my style.

However, I am always grateful for the thought. I don't think anyone should feel like they need to buy me something for doing my job. I really would be happy and touched to receive a thank you note or even a verbal 'thank you'.

We always give small gift to head and deputy at end of year - dds love them, and enjoy giving extra silly gifts to Head who has a gsh.

We tend to do class gifts now, at the end of the year, but my kids like making cards/bookmarks etc for their favourite teachers and TAs too.

Wine and chocolate

Cards children have made themselves are always very touching.

I tend to give homemade cakes or biscuits etc to the whole staff (or year group) at the beginning of the last week so they have all week to eat them

at Christmas I give wine (I know all the teachers )

Cards from the parent saying thank you and some specifics that they or the child have really appreciated are definitely my best - make me want to cry. But I spose you have to actually quite like your child's teacher to do this!

Cards or pictures from the child, especially the little ones.

Homemade cakes I'm always happy with but I have some colleagues who are a bit neat freaky IMHO and always throw away anything made by children.

Chocolates are always good, agree with the poster who said presents for the staff room. Those families are always remembered!

I love flowers but its a tricky one as some teachers go away on the first day and more than 2 bunches is a bit ridiculous. A plant might be better.

Shop bought 'thank you teacher' gifts are the worst I'm afraid. They don't feel personal and are usually tat. To be honest I would ask your kids. If they/you don't feel strongly about buying a gift then don't bother.

Home-made card is nice, with a message written by the child and perhaps one added by the parent. Food-wise, make sure the teacher can eat it and isn't on a diet/has an allergy etc. Same with wine.

Funky post-it notes would be amazing, and pens are always useful. Nice notebook ditto, ginormous eraser that can't be lost, that sort of thing. Most teacher like stationery.

Is a plant a nice idea? Do teachers like those? What about some stamps....the kind with "Well done" or even personalised ones like "Mrs Jones says good work!" ??

My best ever presents include:

Thank you letter from a parent outlining exactly why I'd made such a difference to her child - very useful for quoting in subsequent job applications!! Also cards with similar messages from parents and children.

Fantastic squishy chocolate mousse cake made by year 6 boy.

Small cross stitch with an apple on it & thank you, made by a year 6 girl from a v impoverished background who'd got her nan to help her make it.

This year I've already had a parent offering to spend £100 (!) on resources for my classroom for next year. I've probably had more fun spending that money than any vouchers I've had in the past, and I'll be getting the benefit of the things I've bought for years to come. In fact, I've gently floated the idea past a parent/TA that if she's around when gifts are being discussed, she might like to suggest that to others (NOT that I'm expecting anything).

Wine is good... Can be drunk or given away. To be honest I never liked the homemade food idea as I never quite trusted it! And actually I used to give lots of the presents away which cut my gift buying bill at Christmas so that was nice!

Cards made and written by the child.
Nothing embarrassingly expensive.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie

Is a plant a nice idea? Do teachers like those? What about some stamps....the kind with "Well done" or even personalised ones like "Mrs Jones says good work!" ??

Not everyone is a plant person, but a personalised stamp is a superb idea!