Christmas Gifts for Teachers and House Staff at Boarding Schools

[boardingschoolquestion]

Do you give them? And if you do, what do you buy and how do you hand them?

At DS's old school, class reps would collect money from all the parents and they would buy a card and a gift for the teachers. We would usually tip in £5-£30 per person, depending on how many teachers and how much you would like to contribute.

Now DS is at a boarding school, there isn't a class rep so no one really organises anything (I guess it's quite normal for secondary school?). However, there are a few teachers and house staff whom I really appreciate for all the support DS gets from so in the past couple of years I let DS take some small gifts and they were handed from him on the last day.

But I was never sure if I did it correctly, whether my gifts were appropriate, whether they should have been something more or less. I've never asked other parents nor witnessed anyone carrying any gift on the last day so I seriously have no clue what others are doing...

The school breaks up for Christmas very soon so I really need to start thinking of what to get or if I should get any...

Could I ask the other boarding school parents what you usually do?

Candles...not that original I suppose but I go for nice special ones which you wouldn’t necessarily buy for yourself like Jo Malone or Diptyque. Always very well received with a bottle of something too and given when collecting DS on the last day and everyone is saying bye not sure what that will look like this year but should still be an opportunity.

Wine in any form.

This year I would recommend something branded, packaged and sealed so that they can quarantine it.

I bought candles last year and a box of chocolates this year. Might sound boring but I went for something a bit luxury so it has a bit of specialness...

Who do you give those gifts? I usually give the house staff and also some teachers. I don't see most of them when I collect DS so I give DS (he's a weekly boarder) and he hands them on the last day he sees them.

At DS's old school, some parents would give the head a gift privately. But I've never bought anything for the head...

I usually give Ds's year group teachers a nice hamper , last year was a chocolate one and the year before was from F&M , it was very well received, I make sure there are enough items for all teachers if they prefer taking it home instead of sharing,
I think this year will do the same and go with a chocolate one.

Hampers are a nice idea! But only for the teachers? How about the house staff? I actually feel I should do more to the house staff as they work with DS more closely on a daily basis... Or at least I'm more in contact with them than teachers.

You can do another one for house staff? It can be a big one for them all, or smaller individual ones for the house master ,assistant house Master and matron?
Charbonnel et walker truffles are always a good gift, they taste delicious and beautifully presented, or perhaps something from F&M? They do smaller gift for Christmas , trio of Biscuit tin , tea and preserves.