Teachers' gifts.. yawn… our class reps have just asked for £14 each. It is for T and three TAs but still

[mrsjavierbardem]

Anyway it is hard to say no without standing out and I do think the staff are wonderful and deserving too.

There's been a class collection in my dd's year and the teachers will get a bunch of flowers and vouchers. I like it because there's no way I could find a card plus gift for three or four pounds per teacher, plus TA. And the teachers can buy what they want for what ends up a decent amount.
I don't particularly agree with presents for teachers (they are simply doing their job and getting paid for it, too) but it's difficult to go against the flow, so this is the least painful option.

A collection was raised for a teacher who left the school mid-year (my DC's class teacher) with a suggested maximum of £5. Some parents were at the "low" maximum but were reminded that not everyone is as well off as they are

But the gift that made the teacher cry was the scrapbook organised by the class rep with a photo of the class (sneakily taken during teacher's prep time while class were with specialists) on the cover and laboriously hand-written notes and drawings from the children inside.

Cheap gifts eat your heart out.

Bloody Hell!!! My sister's a teacher and she gets the odd chocolate orange!

We always did as less or as much as you want. And we had on average one teacher, two TAs and one dinner lady.

I personally think individual gifts are equally expensive and DD normally does a little letter or card as well.

DD is at an Infant only school and the Year 2 parents are expected to make a gift to the school as well. This year it adds up. Not that the school doesn't do a great job but I feel like I have to subsidies the LEA.

Rip-off ...£14?!!! Far too much!!! Only small change at our DS school. Never paid more than £5, but my son makes his own cards and small hand made decorations or mini canvas paintings every year and only for the teachers who are inspiring him.

When I did a collection, I asked for whatever people wanted to give/could afford and, once I had the money, tried to buy something useful/nice for whatever amount I had collected. Asking for a specific amount is both rude and odd. And the most important part is a nice card saying thanks that all the children who want to have signed their names in, even if they can't write very well and even if they haven't been able to give a penny to the collection.

Finde, I think that is a perfect approach!

This is the norm for us and i do find it bloody expensive 1 teacher and 1 ta is £10, i have two at school so £20.

Thanks, mrsjavier! This OTT present-buying does seem odd to me. I am sure teachers don't expect it. BTW, I just worked out what we are getting this year's teachers with some other mums and the total required contribution per parent is something of the order of £1.50 in order to get something for both teachers. If we end up with not enough, I am perfectly happy to chuck a fiver in to cover a couple of others as would others if necessary (since we are fortunate enough to be able to afford it).

I am a teacher. This is far too much and so not necessary. However I do remember one year I was given a used plastic shower cap from a hotel freebie. One year a box of chocolates with some half eaten and wrappers still in there. And my colleague got a silk neglige! The child in question said," Miss, do you think it will fit you?" As she stood there bright red.Seriously teachers are just happy with a card. I think this has been pushed by the shops - not teachers.

They have no shame!
We got a letter requesting dosh for a wedding present.

When we were kids this would never have happened : good or bad teachers, there was always a limit to the gall. Now anything goes!
Get some class.

Who are "they"?

DRooster I do hope you are referring to the parents doing the collection, and not the teachers.

Neither myself, my colleagues or (as you can see) the teachers on here would ask for or expect anything.

£90+ is an insane amount to spend on a teacher's gift. Most gifts I receive would cost a couple of pounds and I've never had a gift worth more than around £10-£15! The best gift I ever had was a mug that had messages from every pupil printed onto it in their own writing. It won't have cost £90!

I'm a teacher and would also be mortified to get such an expensive present!!! It would feel weird.

I'm chuffed with a bunch of flowers or a box of quality street :)

we had this at dds old primary affluent are faiths school lots flash cars and very showy parents.

They dident have official class reps as such.

started reception which was job share +2tas.

freinds daughter other class and she was fuming as they gave teacher stuff before all the parents arrived.

by time got to year 1 was just silly,

our rubbish very average year 1 teacher dd liked but was useless teacher got 200quid shopping vouchers plus choc, wine and flowers

I refused participate in collection also they did huge collection end of year.

I did cheap hm pressies.

i heard 2of the mums doing the collection were gossiping about 1mum who gave just 50p. they used hang by gates rest of year they never spoke to me.

thankfully new school has no collections everyone does their own thing.

its more affluent and less showy some parents dont do gifts and theres no expectation to.

xmas did

box chocs for teacher
2small bx chocs for tas
1 small box ie £1 at poundshop for lollipop man
1 cheap bottle mulled wine for school admin as shes amazing and reminds us so we never miss things.

last year end of term we made a potted plant

got ideas on pinterest,

1terracoota pot
painted blackboard paint.
then the twim at top painted white and numbers marks on it made to lok like tape measure
cheap flowering plant
in chalk on the pot thankyou for helping me grow

nice card.

not decided what doing this year yet,.

I have never bought gifts and cards for teachers, the whole concept of it confuses me.
My dc's have always made a card.

I only remember boxes of chocolates/shower gel! I used to spend about £1.50 per child on their end of year gift though (so about £45 for the class). I loved buying those - 'twas fantastic to see their little faces light up when they were each given their wrapped present!