Leaving presents teachers

[abitofbother]

Any ideas for a tenner? Is wine and chocs a bit naff?

Wine and chocs are always appreciated at my school. But don't feel obliged, especially with things being extra tight this year.

I often give coffee shop vouchers

@SparkyBlue good idea but what if I choose Costa and they prefer cafe nerro for arguments same

Don't give wine. Some people don't drink alcohol. I ajways appreciate tge thought but feel guilty passing alcohol gifts onto somebody else when it's been bought for me.

try eBay - name stand

You add their name ‘Miss Jones’ and a Disney character of your choice and they can have it on their desks - teacher loved the one I got her and have just ordered another one for this year

What a teacher really wants is a thank you card from you and a drawing/ home made card of thanks from your child. For a tenner I would buy some toiletries or a hand wash/hand lotion double bottle set. DS is a teacher and never gets to a coffee shop.

This is on Etsy as eBay was slow!

I love wine and I feel no guilt in passing on bottles that aren’t my favourites as bonus gifts to others (I do always tell them where it comes from 🤣).

Of course no gift is needed but if you want to then wine, chocolates, cupcakes etc… is the way to go. Nobody needs 30 new bits of ‘keepsake tat’ every 6 months.

Chip in a couple of quid each and give the teacher a £50 John Lewis voucher.

Tat from China all ends up in landfill.

I'd agree. There are only so many candles
Or mugs someone can use surely!

This.

I certainly wouldn't want a Disney thing and would never get round to using a coffee voucher. I always found toiletries useful although I've been retired for 8 years and have just finished off my stash - they did get used and were appreciated. I would appreciate wine but it's probably worth checking that alcohol is acceptable. A nice ballpoint pen is useful.

I agree. I know some people will say that a voucher is boring, and they prefer to give an actual gift. But at least this way the teacher can choose something they like, and they don't end up with 10 bottles of wine, 6 boxes of chocolate, 4 candles, 3 sets of smellies and 7 best teacher mugs.

I always taught in relatively deprived areas and would absolutely have hated parents being put under pressure to give anything. Its a totally alien idea to me.

A card from a child is the most appreciated thing. Nobody should feel under pressure to spend extra, especially at the moment. I have loved the cards I have received and kept them all.

I understand this, but unfortunately I think no matter which approach there is always pressure to give an end of year gift. Supermarkets, card shops, and other general shops advertise for weeks and children see their friends bringing something in. At least with a voucher it's just a pound or 2 and there is no competition between parents.

@abitofbother I always give a voucher for an local coffee shop that does nice food and cakes so even if they pass it on it will likely get used. I also have given vouchers for the huge shopping centre near us so they can put it towards whatever they want.

Vouchers for John Lewis are useful. Don't get any of the teacher mugs, coasters or named signs. DH is a primary teacher and there's only so much space.

Try find out what they like & club together with others. We used to put in £10 and it covered gift for TAs and support staff as well as the teacher. They used to get a hamper with wine, plant, chocolate etc but also decent voucher for around £120 for JL, garden centre or whatever they had an interest in.

I do personalised stickers.... e.g. 'Mrs Nugget says Well Done!' we have 2 teachers and 4 TA's this year so it's cheap enough to be able to get them all something, it's small, useful and not a mug/chocs/alcohol :) always seems to go down well!

A card will always be appreciated. So will any present as if they don’t like wine/chocolate etc they will have a family member or friend who does.

One of the best gifts I’ve received was an Asda voucher. It felt nice to have a discount on my weekly shop.

Definitely a big yes for the card with a heartfelt message - that’s what keeps teachers going on bad days!
I would also vote for the voucher, coffee or Amazon.

Agree. A homemade card is wonderful. I really wish schools would request no presents from parents.

Certainly where I work there are families who I hate to think feel pressure to spend money on us.

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No pressure wax ever felt by me. DD did cards and thank you letters. At secondary and prep, everyone chipped in for a class present. Much better and who couldn’t use a JL voucher for a decent amount? Even a man!!!

Wine and chocs are always appreciated but an email to the head stating your appreciation is always a winner!

Have to say, as a teacher for a long time, personalised things or mugs etc usually end up unused as impossible to use 25+ mugs or display/keep every personalised gift. Obviously I don't expect anything but a voucher is lovely, as is wine or chocolates 👍🏻

I got this last year, and it was really special as I used it to purchase my wedding heels! John Lewis is a good one as you get more options to use it... I also received one in my first year teaching after parents found out I was out of the country for the summer and then moving into London. It also felt really special as the parents took the time to think about what I could use, and that I was going a way a few days later... ie flowers would be given away.