male TA

[satinpillowcase]

sexism aside...

three TAs.

one of them I really like, the other two the kids like but have featured less in our lives.

what can i give the bloke? late twenties, kind, sensible. don't think he's muslim (wondered about wine). don't really know him and what i do know about thin i don't relate to.

is there a default male gift?

Handmade Thank You card would do the trick. Works for male and female TAs. and teachets too.
I just don't get this buying presents for school staff thing - it's their job.

I have a similar problem in that DD has a male teacher this year and I want to get him a little something as she loves him and he's been fantastic, a great teacher and knows each child really well.

It was somewhat easier last year because I was in charge of the collection for the male TA so a) I had a bigger budget and b) his wife worked at the school so I could ask her for ideas! He got gardening vouchers.

A token present is much harder.

If I want to get a gift I just ask one of the other staff of they drink and if so what. They never seem to mind being asked.

DD1 had a male teacher in Y6 - he was amazing and actually left the same year as DD1. I did the collection and bought him theatre vouchers for his present which he loved. She also had a fantastic male TA - I bought him Amazon vouchers...bit unimaginative but he was pleased.

My Ds had male teachers in yr5 and 6 , we found chocolate or biscuits went down well, especially giant Toblerone

We gave the male music teacher (secondary) chocolates because I figured men probably eat chocolate too. If he doesn't I'm sure his kids will! An Amazon/Costa coffee voucher would also be good. I gave ds1's (male) P7 teacher wine because I know he drinks it but I feel a little bit uncomfortable giving alcohol from the children although I happily drink it in front of them myself.

What about chocolates from Hotel Chocolat? They do a box with "Thank you" on, or lots of different selections to choose from. The men in my family (and the women) love chocolates from there.

as the DW of a male primary teacher I can let you know what DH appreciates most- that's a handmade card or gift. Yes even the blotchy miss spelled ones ( though it's worth just making sure the child spells the teachers name correctly, it's a little depressing to have taught a child for a year to realise they still can't spell your name! )

Wine is good.

Biscuits/chocs are shared with the family if it's the last day or put in the staffroom and shared.

Thinks that show you have thought about things- classical CDs (DH teaches music) , the lovely books from your home country are really valued too.

What makes DH feel uncomfortable rather than appreciated are very personal things eg sets of shower gel /shaving tools/after shave.

For your muslim TA why not get something sweet for Eid ( is it this week) and attach the thank you to that rather than end of term ? Baklava, choc , home made cake etc would all fit the bill