Christmas gifts for teachers

[Borisbollocks]

I've already decided that I'm going to gift classroom supplies which our teachers generally pay out of their own pocket for.

No unwanted chocolate or mugs from me this year!

I've got coloured paper, hb pencils and personalised 'good work' stickers.

What am I missing? My boys are in year 3 and 6 in England if that helps.

Sounds lovely as long as your school uses those things and they don’t have budget for it. At my school we’re never short of paper or pencils and we don’t use stickers, but if you know your school that’s a great idea. Glue sticks are always handy to teachers too. And blue-tack.

Whiteboard pens and markers/print sticks

We run out of whiteboard pens, but the children just use scrap paper and a pencil after that, and they manage fine, though I can't believe some teachers are actually having to buy pencils.

Are you going to say you've decided not to buy gifts for the teachers and will donate to the class instead, or will you actually give them as a gift to the teacher? The teachers/TAs I work with don't expect gifts, but obviously are grateful for any we receive, but I just can't imagine being given a pack of paper or a box of pencils.

Are you going to say you've decided not to buy gifts for the teachers and will donate to the class instead, or will you actually give them as a gift to the teacher? The teachers/TAs I work with don't expect gifts, but obviously are grateful for any we receive, but I just can't imagine being given a pack of paper or a box of pencils.

I would echo this. I think your donations are a lovely idea but it's better and more accurate to phrase them as such. They are a donation of resources to the classroom for the children in that class to use during the year. They aren't a gift for the teacher/staff.

Encourage your boys to each make the teacher a card saying thank you. It’s all teachers really want. If you think they are doing a good job, then write a note to thank them and tell them how much you appreciate their hard work. Teachers really don’t want booze, toiletries and chocolates.

This is a great idea! I've been thinking of chocolates and other crap, but a simple thank you I can imagine that's so much more heartfelt.

Thanks for the tip.

My DDs always made cards for teachers. I didn’t give presents. I raised money for the PTA and they liaised with school about what was needed. All schools have some money for essential supplies. No school has 0£ for this. The teachers need to get more involved with the budget if there’s no money spent! Where I have been a governor, teachers were asked what resources were needed in the budget cycle. It’s good management. They don’t get everything of course and school improvement expenditure took priority. I would look at your schools governing body minutes and accounts to see what’s going on! No NQT should be asked to buy anything and it’s poor financial management if they are asked to buy pencils! Personally, I would not guess re classroom supplies, I would ask.

A nice thank you card your child made with a note from you about positive ways the teacher has helped your child is best. If you want to buy a gift, a gift voucher for a stationary, office supply, or bookstore would be appreciated.

I would love that! I'm always short of children's whiteboard markers and glue. My school has rationed photocopying paper so I'm always on the search for some scrap paper to print homework and worksheets. Sad times when your dream Christmas present is a box of photocopying paper 😍

I think this is lovely and way better than months and chocolates! We also aimed at something useful and did large desk pad calendars one year, then there were coffee shop+bakery gift cards, planner and pen sets (something like this), etc. All the gift were agreed between the parents and the kids were free to make handmade gift cards for teachers they liked the most.