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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

Teacher Christmas Gift

29 replies

SeahorsesSwim · 06/12/2016 16:17

My ds started school in reception and his teacher and TA are both lovely. I'd like to get them something nice for Christmas to say thank you but not sure what is appropriate.

I was thinking a £50 voucher and a card and flowers chosen by ds for each of them, but would this seem too much? That's what I used to do for his childminder but maybe the teacher and TA would prefer something else? Teachers please advise me so I can do the right thing! There was a class collection but it seemed to pass me by and the class reps were a bit vague about their plans, I could chase them up otherwise though I suppose.

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elQuintoConyo · 06/12/2016 16:24

50 quid? Bloody hell!

Get your dc to make a card. Take chocolates.

Teachers do not expect presents for doing their jobs.

You do sounds lovely, but tone it down!

Minispringroll · 06/12/2016 16:37

£50??
At most schools I have worked at, any "gift" with a value above £25 needed to be declared.

Chocolates or a nice bottle of alcohol (don't like wine, tend to be given bottles of cider) are fine. I once got an amazing homemade chocolate cake (the mum had made it...it was lush).

Original poster

SeahorsesSwim · 06/12/2016 16:48

Good job I asked then! They do a great job and have done amazingly settling in ds, getting him reading etc

OP posts:

bretonpuffin · 06/12/2016 17:43

£50? Are you serious? If I were a teacher and received a £50 gift from a parent I'd think you were utterly mad and would be horribly embarrassed.

Can your DS not just make them a card?

SnaggleBeast · 06/12/2016 17:47

DD has made the teacher and assistant cards... £50 and flowers would be way, way over the top.

My DD has come on really really well at school, I'm still not feeling the urge to buy anything though. Maybe at the end of the year.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 06/12/2016 18:16

I think I'm doing mainly boxes of chocs but might buy one TA a book on growing chillies

ChanandlerBongsNeighbour · 06/12/2016 18:21

I love a nice home made tree decoration myself! I keep them and put them on the tree year after year and they always remind me of the child.

Coconut0il · 06/12/2016 21:10

You sound very kind op but you don't need to give anything like £50. I'm a TA and I would never expect anything from parents but I've had some lovely gifts. Chocolates and flowers, candles, nice pens and paper, keyrings and mugs. I really appreciate it all.

lilyboleyn · 06/12/2016 22:14

Are you at a private school? In some private schools a £50 gift can be normal from one parent, but in state £5-10 is more usual. That said, you could hunt down the parent rep to contribute to the class collection or just get your kid to paint a lovely thoughtful picture.

Original poster

SeahorsesSwim · 06/12/2016 22:24

No not a private school. Tbh I wasn't sure if the teacher and TA would get a bonus as part of the pay at Christmas so I thought I could show appreciation by giving them a bigger gift. I think my mum used to give quite big gifts to teachers as thanks but that was the olden days

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MollyHuaCha · 06/12/2016 22:57

In DC's school, teachers are not allowed to accept gifts over £50. I guess it's considered possible bribery. I worked for years as a teacher and received things like bunches of flowers, biscuits, chocolates, candles, pens, mugs, wine. My favourite gifts were actually homemade crafty things that children had made for me. And sincere short letters of appreciation from parents. No need to spend £50! In fact, no need to give a gift at all unless you want to. Teachers do not expect it. The job is the reward.

smellyboot · 06/12/2016 23:12

The norm here is £5-10 for a nice gift or bottle of wine. Class collections where done are £5 a person per teacher approx. but totally no obligation. People offer what they can. Some also have all the after school / wrap round staff to buy for too etc
Can you imagine 30 x. £50 hahahahahaha

SaltySeaBird · 06/12/2016 23:20

I have a close friend who is a teacher at a private school. £50 isn't uncommon for her to get at Christmas from a parent; some have given a lot more. It's crazy what she gets at the end of Christmas term. I know some of the other teachers in her school do seem to expect it from comments I've heard.

wobblywonderwoman · 06/12/2016 23:22

Clarins Hand Cream is what I would go for - 20 max.

very generous but would be lovely

noblegiraffe · 06/12/2016 23:25

the teacher and TA would get a bonus as part of the pay at Christmas

no, no bonuses in teaching, more likely they'll be forking out their own money on gifts/cards for the kids.

One of the parents in my DS's class is doing a collection, thank god. £5 from everyone to be split between teacher and TA.

LemonRedwood · 06/12/2016 23:26

Only time I received £50 was when all the parents in my class clubbed together when I got married.

I like cards with thoughtful messages best followed by chocolate

Whence · 07/12/2016 15:18

Bonus at Christmas
Definitely not heard anything so funny all month
Sincere messages of thanks are best. And glue-sticks

Weatherforecaster · 07/12/2016 19:30

Wowsa! I'm a teacher and I'd be amazed with that. It's too much really. I once got a £20 voucher and was blown away. I never expect any gifts but obviously they are lively to receive. The most common gifts are boxes of chocolates so maybe avoid those. A voucher is a great choice but maybe not so much. Flowers also are a big favourite amongst teachers I know.

Weatherforecaster · 07/12/2016 19:32

A bonus! Haha. Nope. More like about £50 out of pocket. 30 children gifts at £1 each and about £20 on gifts for the Xmas party!

Original poster

SeahorsesSwim · 08/12/2016 19:22

OK so how about a £20 voucher each and a little homemade flower basket that ds could design? Is that OK?

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Heirhelp · 08/12/2016 19:28

at somebody thinking teachers and TA will get a bonus!

If I am lucky I will get a mince pie from the head teacher. Yy to the teacher spending their own money on cards and gifts for the class as well as buying resources throughout the year.

Write the staff a lovely thank you letter or email detailing specifically why you value them and cc the head teacher.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 08/12/2016 20:22

Another teacher here laughing at the thought of a bonus! It could go towards my expenses the supplies I've bought for science and golden time baking, or the cakes I bought on the outing and the end of term party I suppose 😂

Even £20 is very generous. I'm sure it would be really appreciated but don't feel you have to.

Original poster

SeahorsesSwim · 08/12/2016 22:54

I wasn't sure whether there was a Christmas bonus, it's such a shame teaching is undervalued as in time the standard of teachers will really drop I assume. I will give that gift then, also will email the head to say how great the teacher and TA have been.

Teaching 30 children to read is the stuff of nightmares imo 😂

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Grumpbum · 08/12/2016 23:02

I have organised the class collection and the teacher and 2 TAs will get about £40 voucher each with a bunch of flowers for their teacher

BikeRunSki · 08/12/2016 23:06

No bonuses in public sector. We (public sector, but not teacher) have to declare any gift with a value over £20. Not that people are queing up to give me vouchers etc, but we get the odd bottle of booze at Christmas and I get invited to the occasional award dinner by contractors.

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