If you are a teacher, what present would you like to receive at the end of term?

[MrsSylar]

Am totally stuck and don't know what to buy.

Toiletries and chocolate - too boring?.

Are vouchers too clinical and not personal enough? If not, from where? M and S is all I can think of.

Please help!

My ds's teacher has gone to huge lengths to make him (us therefore us) happy over the last year. It's been a real joy, esp as he has mild special needs. She is getting married soon and I am thinking of buying her a voucher for a beauty salon - enough for a facial or a massage or waxing or a pedicure (about £50) - what do you think?

Hoping she has same taste as your mum CL

As an ex TA don't forget them they work really hard too for usually little wage!

TAs get wine!

I did those small bottles of cava at Christmas for TAs and Teachers

That sounds really lovely MsDemeanor. Unless she's really hairy and might take it as a gentle hint that she needs to wax

MsD i am sure that would be lovely but i think i would feel slightly embarassed at recieveing such an expensive pressie.
A letter thanking her will be as much appreciated.

Although i guess the amount spends depends on school as for most parents at mine that would be a fortune!

Best friend is a teacher, and she alwys swoons over vouchers, especially spoiling ones for treatmenst etc.

Ok, what about £40?? I do want her to have something nice as she has made huge efforts with ds this year, and we ended up with a wonderful report.
Don't want to embarrass her though!

Maybe go and get the voucher for specific treatment then she won't know how much it costs ?

I just came on to start a thread asking the very same question. This is my first year and I want to buy a present as DS's teacher and assistant and the SENCO have really gone the extra mile for DS this year. Do you wrap the presents as well or just sort of hand them over? I am very new to this school malarky.

Wine is always good for me!
But NOT the kind of ornaments you get in a pound shop

But the best is a heartfelt thank-you card - it is nice to know you are appreciated

I got gift bags so ds can carry them into school! He has just wrote a lovely message in his card bless him think she may like that the best!

I suppose all you teachers have read those books by Gervaise Phinn?

I'm just reading one now - so funny - even more so if you actually teach, I should imagine.

Are they old hat now in teaching circles?

please don't say the gervaise phinn books are old hat!!..i have bought one for DS's teacher. GP happened to be signing copies in our local book shop..gosh hope the teacher hasn't got 10 copies already..I thought it would make a change from vouchers..

Get a book voucher for a fiver that would get a paper back book ?

On a budget, I'd just get a card, and write a genuine thank you inside. Although most teachers I know woudl appreciate a £5 bottle of white!

Gervaise Phinn is lovely! A signed copy would make any teacher cry with joy!!!! Good present Katebee you can have a gold star!

If you are not going away flowers are lovely.

DD will be painting a mug for her teacher and ta (and possibly for her favoritist teacher ever in the whole wide world who took them every tuesday afternoon ) - she has spent the whole year painting and making things for them, so it is a very her present.

I am going to be writing a letter and sending a copy to the head and her teacher telling them how fabulous they have been during what had the potential to be a hell of a first year for a quirky child

as a teacher, I would add another vote to wine, or something the children have made themselves (ie: fairy cakes, a little box they have decorated was one of my faves with a few chocs in), a picture. If you go down the voucher route (which is always hugely appreciated), maybe club together as a class. It saves everyone having to think and shop for individual pressies, and the teacher will be able to choose something really nice with them. I worked at a lovely school in south west london, and two years in a row was given john lewis vouchers from the class as a whole. the first year I used them to buy an i pod, and the second year, a camera! Hugley appreciated and will last longer and be used far more often than candles and toiletries (not that those aren't appreciated and lovely as well). I love the idea of flamsparrows about writing a letter to the head praising the teachers efforts through the year as well.

also, don't forget the teaching assistants, as the teacher would not be able to do their job without them. they are a huge help and play a vital role in the classroom, and would really appreciate being thanked for their efforts. it is the thought rather than the amount of money spent so don't feel you have to make big financial investments.

My teacher friend suggested one of those insulated cup/mini flask things so they can carry their hot drinks about safely in the school. £1.99 in Asda.

I think Theatre tokens might be a good thing for DDs music-loving teacher.

I got a lavender plant for each teacher and Green and Blacks chocolate for the TAs and the student who has helped dd2 (SEN) this year. All seemed v.happy with them. Also dds wrote their own messages in the cards.