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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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Original poster

Jinglejohnsjulie · 14/12/2013 15:34

Who said the sheep comment Hapoy?

OP posts:

NoComet · 14/12/2013 15:55

Almost never got teachers presents. I always forgot.

The year I did remember, The list got ridiculous because of job shares and several TAs.

After that I went back to 'forgetting'

The end of term is such chaos I'm certain the teachers neither notice or care.

NoComet · 14/12/2013 15:56

I am better at End of year thank yous for nice teachers.

bronya · 14/12/2013 16:01

When I taught, it was always nice to get a few tokens of appreciation, just because it meant that you'd made a difference and the parents had noticed tbh. A Christmas card with a nice message inside was the best, because a box of chocs or a mug does show thanks, but often just because everyone does it. A personal message really lifts a teacher's spirits.

SatinSandals · 14/12/2013 16:19

A home made card by the child is best. Write to the teacher and say how much you appreciate them.

lilyaldrin · 14/12/2013 16:28

DS has made a card for his teacher.

The school have specifically requested no parents as they don't want to set up an expectation. I'm sure some parents will anyway though.

tryingtokeepintune · 14/12/2013 16:45

Surely it would be better to give presents to all the volunteers who give their up their valuable time. Some people, who do not have any children in schools, volunteer a few times a week, every week, for years and I think they are the ones who really deserve gratitude (and chocolates and wines).

Thatssofunny · 14/12/2013 16:52

I don't expect presents. It's not common at all where I'm from and I've never given teachers presents when I was a child.
However, the most lovely ones I've had were just thoughtful things. I got a chocolate cake once,...together with a really nice card (a copy of it is still in my interview portfolio).
I also tend to have footballs for my class to take out and play with, which are mine, so the older ones don't tend to take them off my pupils at playtime. (Much easier for them to say, "That's Miss Thatsso's football, give it back!", because the others generally have had me in previous years and know I'll get cross if I have to go and get it off them.) A lot of the time, they have ended up on the roof or got lost in other ways...or just broke, after quite a lot of use. One year, I got two replacements as presents. They were very nice footballs, too, and lasted through the next year.

homeworkmakesmemad · 14/12/2013 17:03

I was brought up giving gifts to teachers - it was just the done thing - music teachers, sunday school teachers etc too.

I buy for my DC's teachers but what they get depends very much on the teacher and how well my child has responded to them.

The school seems to favour a class whip-around policy, but I don't contribute - it's £5 per teacher which is ludicrous - what teacher needs £150 John Lewis/Garden Centre vouchers twice a year?!?!? I also don't like it because absolutely no thought goes into it - it's just chucking money in an envelope and they children themselves have no part in it.

I like to get things which have been thought about - even if I haven't liked the teacher much then it would still be a nice box of fudge or shortbread which the children have gone with me to the shop to buy. If they have gone above and beyond though, or just been generally pretty good then they get something more personal. DD's teacher this year loves owls so I have bought her a little handmade owl christmas tree decoration - it was only £3, but it's personal, shows thought and I know she will like it.

homeworkmakesmemad · 14/12/2013 17:05

Thattso just wanted to say what a great idea providing your own footballs - I so wish someone in my DC's school would do that! There are a few little horrors who think they own the patch of ground used for footie and bully anyone who they don't like who dares to play - having a ball provided by a teacher would solve so many problems! What a lovely teacher you are!

LindyHemming · 14/12/2013 22:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SatinSandals · 14/12/2013 22:59

I like giving presents to teachers. I have been a volunteer, I don't need or want a present because my part is easy, unlike the teachers. Having said that the school usually give volunteers a present, so they don't need one from parents.

Philoslothy · 14/12/2013 23:02

I would be mortified if parents clubbed together for a weekend away.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 14/12/2013 23:04

I'm planning to take a box of biscuits in for the staffroom on Monday, my DS has SNs and gets a lot of support from SENCO, TAs etc as well as his teacher so I want to thank the entire staff not just the teachers. It's a small school and I volunteer there regularly so I know most of them and without exception everyone is lovely.

Caff2 · 15/12/2013 00:56

Ok, this thing about secondary teachers getting nothing: I have for the last two years and this year too presented my ds1's fab tutor and his head of year with a bottle of wine because they are fab.

I think giving presents to people who support my child is nice. My little one, twelve years younger than first, will be having a present for his childminder. These people look after my most precious things, really well. They deserve it.

Galena · 15/12/2013 07:32

I have got DD's teacher and 1-1 a nice gift set of post-it notes each and I will help her make them some sweets (chocolate with pistachios and cranberries) However, while she can help me stir, she needs not have any contact with them and I will put a note saying as much inside the box. She will also make them a card each.

I was a teacher and, whilst I didn't expect presents, I did appreciate them, particularly if they were useful or homemade.

mamaduckbone · 15/12/2013 07:43

Teachers do not expect presents. They are a lovely bonus but I can honestly say I have never once raised an eyebrow at any family that chooses not to bother. Their choice.
For my own ds' teachers I will send a box of naice M&S biscuits in for the year group team at the start of the week to have with their morning coffee, and a small gift for each teacher in Friday.
The only people worrying about it seem to be parents who worry what other parents think.

notsomuchroomattheinn · 15/12/2013 07:54

I am [fshocked] at the week in the cottage!

I do feel under pressure to get the Teacher a Christmas present. I used to just get DC to mKe a nice thank you card just buy a present at the end of the year, but one Christmas DD came home in tears.
The teacher that year called them all up individually with the present and opened them there and then with the child standing next to her.
DD was the only one who didn't have anything.

MissBetseyTrotwood · 15/12/2013 08:00

Both my DSs teachers have gone the extra mile for them this year, especially DS2's. I'll be buying them a Lush bath bomb and a bottle of wine each (I know they are boozers as we've seen them stumbling out of the pub together on a Friday night)!

The TAs have not had so much input but they'll have a Lush bath bomb or two as well.

Don't feel compelled OP. No teacher ever expects it but it is lovely to be thought of.

LindyHemming · 15/12/2013 08:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Happypiglet · 15/12/2013 08:48

The DC painted plain white mugs this year... They put a lot of thought into personalising each one... DSs teachers were very appreciative and are going to use the mugs in the staff room (we put their names on them too)... And we did home made cards. Plus DCs and I spent a fun few hours together doing them!
Not keen on whip rounds and I don't give wine as I am tee total.
I always think of things I would love to receive and go for that.
But it is personal choice
We always do home made cakes at the end of the year and as far as I know the teachers do eat them .... I make my kids wash their hands before starting!

Galena · 15/12/2013 08:59

Euphemia it was the sort of thing I'd have loved as a teacher - something that was useful but not too personal. I was bought perfume once by a parent which was very kind and thoughtful - except it wasn't the sort of perfume I'd ever wear. I think perfumes are a very personal type of gift.

Post-its can be used whenever and even if they aren't your personal taste it doesn't matter as they are just post-its at the end of the day!

I got this set for the teacher (although it has a 2014 calendar) and these for her TA.

mrz · 15/12/2013 10:45

I'm happy with a verbal "thank you" if you think I've done my job well (don't expect a gift and cringe at the idea of collections)

Feenie · 15/12/2013 10:58

I have bought ds's two teachers a huge box of chocolate fingers (3 flavours) to bung in the staffroom and share, we would like that in our staffroom.

I normally say wine on these threads, but I was at a 50th birthday party last night and the way I feel now I never want to see wine again.

Philoslothy · 15/12/2013 11:05

As a secondary teacher I get quite a few presents and am always grateful but never expect them. I am happy with a card saying Thankyou, to be honest just saying " Thanks Miss for teaching me, helping me out" is enough.

For my secondary school children they take a little gift in for their teachers, often something teacher themed. Stationary, cute post it notes, sometimes chocolate or wine. They also take in a big box of biscuits for their tutor team.

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