Primary teachers - is this a good or naff gift?

[TellMeHowToFeel]

Team of 5 shared teachers who we v much appreciate.

Don't really want to give them yet another box of chocs or bottles of wine though.

Is a Unicef Inspiration gift of 5 storybooks for less fortunate children a good or totally naff gift? Would have a card about it, which DS and I would write personal messages of thanks to the teaching team in.

If it's naff, what would a primary teacher like better which is scalable for a team of 5 (can't really afford 5 x £20 vouchers or similar)

[Grapeyes]

Thanks Obi!

[trinity0097]

That personalised bag up thread is the worst sort of gift, as you can’t even donate it to the charity shop.

I’m afraid that some of my gifts go straight to the car and are donated. Some get stored for when my mum visits to take back to her community where they often need to provide raffle prizes for their various fundraising community things.

I appreciate the gesture but I don’t want a load of tat that is not my cup of tea or loads of bottles of wine/bubbles that I don’t drink. All the wine just gets given to a friend.

The best tokens are a heartfelt personal message in a card. (I.e. not the same wording for every teacher!)

Thoughtful gifts are also appreciated, so a group of parents this year bought the staff a new fridge as ours was past its best. £100 fridge, so each parent contributed under £5. We will value that fridge and use it every day!

[ValleyoftheHorses]

Thanks for that trinity. Helpful as bought, wrapped and ready to give on Monday. Hopefully our teachers are more appreciative! I have a much loved bag for life of this sort myself which is why I chose it.
DS has also written in cards for them.

[ThatUsedToBeMyName]

Ignore Trinity. It’s the thought that counts and even if the bag isn’t to their taste you can appreciate the effort and care behind it and lets face it, everyone can find a use for a tote bag! Even if it’s to hold spare pants/PE kit for the children in your class

[PandaEyeMask]

Trinity is being honest. It is junk. Personalised,but junk nonetheless.

My husband is a teacher. Wine is awesome. Cards are better. And if you want to donate(charity or to the school library) do it yourselves, don't expect a fanfare. If you really want to help,ask what would make lessons easier next year,and throw £10 at it.

[SadOtter]

I would really like some games for wet play, simple ones like snakes and ladders or guess who, anything that will give the kids something to do - wet play is boring and then the kids get whingy and naughty.

@ValleyoftheHorses My colleague has one of those, I have bag envy and am really hoping a child will get me one, it would be used everyday.

[ThatUsedToBeMyName]

PandaEyeMask - wine isn’t awesome if you are a teetotal teacher (like me) This thread just goes to show that there is no perfect present for teachers. I like the idea of games for the class but probably the simplest gifts are vouchers or book tokens but as others have said, a personal card of thanks really is the best.

[littlepeaegg]

The parents and I from my sons year all chipped in £20 for gift vouchers for our local shopping centre for the teacher and two other teachers that helped. But only 18 people in his year/class. Easy and at least they can get things they want!

[littlepeaegg]

That's £20 each that we put in... not £20 for all three teachers!!

[trinity0097]

I would certain feign appreciation but it’s not something I would ever envisage using or wanting and it can’t be donated as it is personalised.

I am always grateful for whatever gifts people chose to give me, but I wish at times people wouldn’t waste their money on stuff I have no need for and don’t like or don’t use. I would rather a £5 Waitrose voucher than a £10 bottle of wine from Waitrose if people are just going to throw something in their weekly shop. Or just not bother and send me a nice email or say thanks on the last day of term. The email this week from a parent that didn’t manage to catch me at the end of term was far more appreciated than most of my other ‘gifts’.

The best gifts for me have always come with a personalised message and are often from parents who I have gone above and beyond for as a DSL. My ultra fleecy mittens at Xmas were so thoughtful as the mum knows I spend before and after school every day outside on duty. Thought about what I would like went into that gift.

[wasgoingmadinthecountry]

I know it's my job and I don't need a present because I'm paid but please don't think we all view lovingly thought out gifts as tat.

If you don't know the teacher well enough to know if they drink for eg, Amazon voucher or similar would go down well in my cash starved school. Or I could spend it on myself...

I never get rid of gifts. Chocolate is eaten (eventually), wine is drunk (if it's rose, probably by my 20s children but still appreciated). I use any personalised mugs.

Obviously, best of all is a special message that is truly meant. Those are the things that go in my forever drawer and still make my eyes very slightly damp from time to time.

[theneverendinglaundry]

My dd's teacher has asked for Fosters 😂😂😂

[EffYouSeeKaye]

Wine / chocolates (shareable) or a gift token.

Yes teachers are paid for their work but I guarantee they are spending a portion of their wages on resources and nice things for the classroom and are also fairly likely to be buying a small gift for each of the children as well.