Christmas presents for teachers. Arrghhh

[Jinglejohnsjulie]

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?

I don't feel under pressure at all. But I do rather like the opportunity to tell the teachers how grateful I am for their hard work - so I do give small token gifts at Xmas and at the end of the school year, which the kids enjoy giving. And the kids give hand made cards.

There seems to be a rise in the number of parents who want to do collections rather than individual gifts, definite change of trend in the past few years long with the changing cohort...interesting, maybe more working parents?

Used to get lots of cards, but have received only one present in about a zillion years of sec teaching. Wonder if there is a state/private divide?

...or do they just not like me?

My mum and dad were both secondary teachers in grammar schools. My mum would get lots of gifts from students in her year group (she was head of year) and from children she taught. My dad got practically nothing.

I am state but have been in lots of pastoral positions, I suspect that means you form relationships that might lead to getting a token gift.