Start of year gifts

[MinonsMovie]

I love the idea of an apple for the teacher.

Something that says, "I value and respect the role you will play in my child's life this year and we are here and ready to learn".

I'm thinking a little hamper with bits and bobs for the class room, or a voucher for a useful shop.

But something is holding me back. Is this lovely and thoughtful, or is it just too cringe?

[Ditsy4]

One of our staff received a present and one of the Year Sixes brought an apple for his teacher. The teacher was delighted. A pen for marking. Someone gave me a Monsoon one once and it is a lovely pen fo making as they flow nicely and mine is colourful so I don't lose it in my hand bag.
Other wise a couple of snack bars for when you don't get time for break. Really making sure your child is ready and clothes are labelled is enough.

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

I've had a few parents email after a week or so to say thanks for helping my child settle so quickly or that they are really enjoying their new class. Means so much more than any gift could and to be honest in the first few days of term it's frantic enough without having to write thank you notes for gifts.

[BagPusscatnip]

It's really cringe, sorry. If you really love giving gifts why not put together your hamper idea and take it to an old people's home? My MIL works in one and some of the residents never get visitors let alone gifts

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

I've gotta do some iron on labels on Monday, this has reminded me.

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

Thinking of starting a new thread next week...

AIBU that none of the children in my class bought me a beginning of year present?

OP, you sound lovely but don't buy them a present.

[MinonsMovie]

Thanks, and to all the teachers who've commented, thank you for doing the job you do. There's no way I could handle a classroom of 30 kids, AND get them to learn. (Who knows, one of you might be teaching my DC!)

[KittyandTeal]

Oh yes, shoes definitely. You can probably draw the line at pants (although a biro initials in socks won't go amiss)

The number of parents who have shouted at me for loosing their child's unlabelled jumper and demanding I either a) find it right now or b) pay for a new one is unreal.

I now carry a sharpie around with me and label jumpers as they come off the child (and I've been shouted at for that too!)

Doesn't need to be sewn in, just anything clear. Seriously, I love parents who label their kids stuff. I did declare rather loudly to a child that I 'loved his dad' as he labelled everything his child owned (he was also a forgetful child!)

[jennielou75]

Oh yes shoes too! Permanent black ink on the inner sole is great or I had a parent who did her daughters in swirly red nail varnish... Very creative! Oh and just to let you know it's not just the children. I have bought waterproof named stickers to put on my new drinking mug....stapler.....whistle.....

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

Don't forget the shoes.

I got accosted by a parent in the playground last year, because her DS had managed to swap his shoes with another child, and the shoes she had bought were the same style as the ones my DS was wearing. Fortunately I had labelled DS1's shoes, so was able to prove he wasn't wandering around in her DS's shoes.

[MinonsMovie]

This thread is killing me here!
(Trudges off to sewing machine!)

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

We were told to label all uniform, including socks in the information meeting for parents. Apparently they do take socks off for some PE lessons so they can get mixed up.

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

Even when there is a label in the neck with the word NAME and a line to write on loads of parents don't do it.
We have 600 children, our lost property pile is HUGE.

[jennielou75]

I think just a word or even a note would be appreciated if you want to do something.

[MinonsMovie]

See, this is why I feel a teacher needs to be extra appreciated! but I'm not doing the gift, don't worry I'm definitely past that!

[jennielou75]

Ours go barefoot for indoor P.E. I get them to put their socks in their shoes but they still move around!

[MinonsMovie]

We get a note telling us to label everything. I do everything but socks and knickers and vests and now you have me questioning myself! But she keeps them on even when changing for PE, so I think it's ok?

[jennielou75]

My favourite day is first P.E lesson.....getting changed afterwards, 'Where's my jumper?' 'Does it have your name in?' 'No but it is grey.' 'Um all the boys have grey jumpers.' 'Mine is from Marks and Spencers'.......Then there is the fight over the pair of socks which belongs to children and the lonely pair without an owner........and the random vest which seems to belong to no-one.......

[HerdsOfWilderbeest]

LOADS of stuff unnamed. It's v annoying.

[iknowimcoming]

You'd be amazed at how much stuff is unlabelled honestly!

[iknowimcoming]

Agree with Kitty and if you're feeling extra generous sew a bit of ribbon or elastic in a loop onto the neck of jumpers and cardigans and coats hats and anything else that you can think of so that it can be hung up on your child's peg

[MinonsMovie]

kittyandteal I love that. I think I'm a bit naive - who doesn't label their kids stuff? It's bloody expensive!

[KittyandTeal]

I've not rtft but I can quite confidently say the best gift you can give a teacher (especially a reception teacher) is clearly labelled school clothes, especially jumper.

There are 3 parents in my school that I regularly thank after picking up random bit of clothing off the floor thinking 'whose the fuck is this?' and find a lovely label with a name on it.

The best gift ever.

[UnlikelyRunner]

A gift in advance of the teaching could look like a bribe. Admittedly, my HR dept have just made us all re-do bribery and corruption training, so I may be over-thinking it!

Don't do it though. It'll make the teacher embarrassed and the other parents look like this

[happystory]

No no no. In my experience the first day of term is so full on that as a teacher having to deal with a gift would be just pointless

[ijustwannadance]

Don't do it.