Teachers / parents - is this too much or not?

[Bella6761]

I want to give my daughter's teacher a little gift basket before half term. My daughter really liked the idea of 'boo baskets' but we don't celebrate Halloween so I wanted to adapt it to something that fits our beliefs. I came up with calling it a 'Harvest of Thanks' basket instead — autumn-themed, warm, no Halloween links at all. I'll say: 'She wanted to do little boo baskets but we made our own spin on it — our Harvest of Thanks version instead!' It's just small things like chocolate, tea, biscuits, a handwritten note — nothing fancy or expensive. Would appreciate any teachers' thoughts or advice — is this weird, too much, or does it come across okay?

@Bella6761 Ex primary teacher here. I think that is a lovely and thoughtful idea ❤️

As a parent, I've never seen teacher gifts before half-term, only at Christmas or end of year. Giving a whole gift basket at a time when nobody else is giving anything would be unusual so could be seen as "weird", but that doesn't mean you can't do it if you and DD want to.

(Secondary) teacher here. I can honestly say, the only gifts I really want or treasure are the hand written notes and cards. Chocolates are fine, but a note means everything.

@WaryCyanStork From what I understand it's only going to be a little basket - nothing expensive or extravagant - just a way of showing appreciation.

Bit weird.
It is awkward enough when a parent gives "heartfelt thanks" and presents at Christmas, when there is at least a societal tradition for giving people presents.

As both a teacher and a present, this definitely sounds like it is in the 'too much' category.

Why do you feel the need? It’s all a bit “Instagram”. If they’ve really gone beyond then write a card or a note of thanks.

I'd be very grateful! It isn't needed, but a little token would be lovely

Sorry,

"both as a teacher and a parent is what I meant to say, but too late to edit."

I wouldn’t do it, maybe a small gift at Christmas
my old best friend is a teacher and she would complain every year at the amount of chocolate she received and didn’t want parents to waste their money, she preferred the hand made cards

I’m a parent and would find it a bit odd - we do class gifts at Christmas and end of year but that’s it. Are you going to do one every half term?

Too much.

It's a lovely thought but, as a teacher, I would much prefer an email to the head to let her know how happy you are with me and the school. The only emails most heads receive are complaints so it would be great if the parents who are happy passed that on. Much more meaningful than any present in my opinion.

Really lovely and thoughtful idea, particularly if your child is the one who gives it to the teacher.

As a teacher I’d love this.

Just send a little autumal card and save the basket for Christmas.

DS has tended to want to do a mini-hamper (shoe box type size) for Christmas and end of year for his teachers, often insteD of putting into the class collection. They're usually well received but I am not shelling out 6x a year for this

At my DC's school we give gifts to the teachers at the end of each term. I thought it was excessive at first, but I've gotten used to it now.

Is it normal in your school to give half term gifts?
The only ones I'm aware of are at Christmas and end of the year. A half term gift might be a bit much

I should also add, it's not just given to one teacher. Individual gift bags are made for three different teachers.