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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Christmas presents for teachers. Arrghhh

55 replies

Jinglejohnsjulie · 14/12/2013 01:14

Was asked today on the playground what I am buying the teachers for Christmas. When I said nothing the Mum looked aghast. Ok she's a teacher so may be slightly biased but surely I can't be the only one?

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VworpVworp · 14/12/2013 01:21

Do you not do party bags either?

Original poster

Jinglejohnsjulie · 14/12/2013 01:23

Yes I do party bags, but not for the teachers...

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thecatfromjapan · 14/12/2013 01:26

Do you not do it because it is hard to organise/afford/think of a present?

Why don't you join together with the rest of the parents? That will take the pressure off - and together you can get something nice - not pointless, scratty presents that are a faff for everyone.

Last year, we clubbed together and got our teacher a week in a cottage in Cornwall (cottage owned by another parent, so cheap really). Far better than 25 Cath Kidston mugs.

How does anyone carry them home???

thecatfromjapan · 14/12/2013 01:28

Jokes.

It's up to you what you do. The other mother was possibly responding to you tone of voice, or was actually remembering she had left the iron on as she left the house.

No-one really cares. Seriously.

VworpVworp · 14/12/2013 01:32

Sorry- I was just wondering, because I think most people do teachers presents due to peer pressure, same as they do party bags.

I have become horrified by my children expecting a party bag, so I have threatened not to do them next birthday.

Jinty64 · 14/12/2013 08:03

Ds3 spends 6 hours a day, 5 days a week with his teacher. That is more time than he spends with anyone else other than me. She deserves a medal never mind a Christmas present.

lottieandmia · 14/12/2013 08:12

If I'm organised I always buy something. This year, though it's costing a lot because I have three at school and the oldest one has quite a few people involved in her provision including the transport staff!

3bunnies · 14/12/2013 08:13

@ week in cottage eyes up truffles and homemade Christmas decorations

strruglingoldteach · 14/12/2013 08:20

I hate the expectation that parents will buy presents for teachers. No one should feel under pressure, it should be a personal choice. And even though it should only be a small token gift.

Personally, the thing that I most want from parents is a sincere comment along the lines of: 'Thank you for all your hard work, we're really pleased with the progress that x is making.'

hazeyjane · 14/12/2013 08:23

They do a collection at the dds school, and dds have made a calendar for their teachers,although normally it is cake.

due to a glib comment from me, ds's preschool teachers are getting a bottle of champagne each (ouch!)

can I be your dcs teacher please, catfromjapan:)

hazeyjane · 14/12/2013 08:26

By the way I wouldn't worry about other parents, I haven't got a clue what other people are getting, and would be mortified if anyone else knew about the champagne!

JodieGarberJacob · 14/12/2013 08:27

Where do you live cat? I want that holiday in Cornwall. Sounds fav! What lovely people you are

But then any gift is lovely. Ditto home made card. Even a verbal thank you or Christmas wishes. Hate the way that parents feel pressured, it makes staff feel the gift is given with the wrong sentiments.

CharlesRyder · 14/12/2013 08:28

I sent ds's preschool teachers cards thanking them very sincerely for the hard work they've done and to say how much progress I've seen in him and wine that was more expensive than you would buy for yourself because I am a teacher and they are the things I would want.

Ragwort · 14/12/2013 08:30

Why are parents so sheep like in feeling they have to buy a present for a teacher? I have done this once in my DS's school career (he is 12 now) it was for a sports teacher who did a huge amount of work outside school hours to support the team.

Teachers should not expect gifts and parents should not feel they have to buy a present - fine if you want to, but it does seem to get a little competitive.

I think Heads should really issue a 'no present rule', save all this angst.

No, i didn't do party bags either .

MadeOfStarDust · 14/12/2013 08:35

my DDs used to buy their teachers a freddo frog and put it in a card they made saying thank you...... they always got a thank you card back which was lovely... but they did it at end of year - not Christmas....

tinselkitty · 14/12/2013 08:39

Shock, horror! I make sure I level down all the children who don't give me a Christmas present! (Joke obviously!)

Teachers don't expect presents. Saying that I got a lovely one yesterday, I spent a long time making presets for my class, gave then out thurs. On fri one of the girls came in and said 'I was going to buy you a present but as you spent so much time and love making ours I wanted to do the same'. She's made me a calendar, very sweet. I'll probably not use it but I'll keep it as she has put so much effort into it. That's the important thing for me. (They're Y5 btw so she did it on her own)

Twigletpiglet · 14/12/2013 08:42

I'm not doing presents for teachers. It just seems really unnecessary, and what on earth would they do with 30 assorted boxes of biscuits/chocolates/mugs? There is a class collection at our school but I haven't put in for it - again, do they really need £50 worth of gifts? Instead I've got DD to make cards for the teachers and TAs. It's the thought that counts!

ItsIgginningToLookALotLikeXmas · 14/12/2013 08:48

I think these references to presents for teachers always leave out a vital word - primary - secondary teachers get nada! (Nor do they want anything I imagine).

WeAllHaveWings · 14/12/2013 08:50

Ds(9) has a brilliant teacher and I give him this feedback at parents evening, and a wee thank you card at the end of the school year. I don't get him a Xmas pressie and neither does at least 1/2 the class, think parents worry about this more than the teachers do.

insanityscatching · 14/12/2013 08:51

Dd will make something (tree decoration) I gave the school about 200 books for the school library (dd's collection from when she was younger so didn't cost me anything now) and they seemed more than happy with that. I now have space for the books I have bought for Christmas so win win all round.

dramajustfollowsme · 14/12/2013 09:09

My favourite gifts over the years have been a little decoration for the tree. I'm not embarrassed by them spending a fortune and every year when I put up the tree I think of those children.

ILoveRacnoss · 14/12/2013 12:35

Teachers NEVER expect presents.

Trust me, we really do not!

Any that are received are lovely surprises and much appreciated. One of my most treasured is a bunch of origami flowers on pipe-cleaner stems. I adore them. Cost nothing but lots of thought and care. I got quite damp-eyed about them.

Original poster

Jinglejohnsjulie · 14/12/2013 12:51

I do sometimes bake with the DC, but only if they ask me to. Will be baking with dd for her lovely teacher, dd has been ill recently and she has been very supportive, plus dd loves her

If I was baking for DS teacher I would be adding senna outs self

The first year DS was there we did buy his teacher a lovely vase but she was retiring and had been brilliant, DS couldn't have had a better start.

Its the expectation thing that gets me, people buying crapola mugs because they say they feel they should.

And no, I won't be organising a class collection because I would probably be hated forever. The last thing most parents need is to have to fork out an additional £20 so close to Christmas...

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HappyMummyOfOne · 14/12/2013 14:31

I buy for most of the school staff and do so out of appreciation. Its a small school and the staff all go above and beyond. Why do others assume you buy because you are a "sheep"? They spend a lot of time with my DS and have an awful lot of input in his daily life. Funny how some people think nothing of tipping their hairdresser yet begrudge a teacher a present.

We avoid tat and try and ensure each present matches the person as not keen on generic presents as dont like waste.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 14/12/2013 15:00

we have lovely reception and yr1 teachers and I do do small gifts for them for Christmas and something at end of year as a thank you. I think it is unlikely we will do this after Yr1 because the teachers further up the school quite frankly seem terrifying and I think there is quite a change in the environment however if we had a particularly nice teacher and one of my DC wanted to then we probably would.

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