So, what did we get?

[ILoveRacnoss]

After all the threads about vast class collections of vouchers, offers of holidays in 2nd homes, jewellery and the merits of homebaking versus alcohol... what did the teachers of Mumsnet actually gratefully receive?

My lovely class gave me:
1 set of smellies
1 scent diffuser
1 box of chocs
1 diary
1 personalised notebook
1 bag of homemade cookies with a tree decoration
3 tins of biscuits

I gave my TAs .

I'm not a teacher either but I love this thread.

If you don't want to read it miseries, then don't click on it.

I loved picking my ds teachers gifts, I got something small and well thought out for them. I'm not competitive but felt they needed acknowledging how much I appreciate all they do for my ds (hes very very hard work at school).

Not a teacher and the presents I ordered for my sons teachers didn't come in time, only handmade smelliest - but I will say this. It's always been hard for me to trust anyone with the care of my children due to my past experiences.
My sons nursery teacher, though, was a fantastic teacher, a friend, and is a kind lovely lady gushes on and on teachers help us set up our children for life often without recognition or thanks. They wipe bums and snotty noses. They change wet trousers and support older kids some of whom may be little shits and they may be that way because they're abused at home and a kind teacher is probably the only decent adult they see.

So this thread is lovely and you all deserve much more than you get probably.
Merry Christmas

kicks soapbox back where it came from

Secondary (music... So have had concert gifts)

2 boxes of chocs
Bouquet of flowers
4 bottles of wine
Theatre vouchers
Box of shortbread

Really lovely

Don't understand people having an issue, no one is gloating. I like this thread for 2 reasons, firstly I'm nosy and secondly, it gives me ideas for next year!!

Non-teachers, if you only knew! Teacher-appreciators, thank you.
I don't 'do it for the money', neither do I 'do it for the chocolates'. I do it because I love it, despite the stresses and strains put upon us by those with unrealistic expectations - and because I care. We are paid for doing the job. Not for caring. I think that presents are a token of thanks for sincerely caring.

goodness but part of the job is caring isn't it?

Some of us might be non-teachers but we might be heavily involved with the school (e.g Govs, have a profession that deals with young children in difficult circumstances involving lots of contact with schooletc ) so we see things and we have a pretty good understanding of schools and what good and what ain't so great.

Hear hear Euphemia! Want to wrap some of them up and bring them home for a proper hug, a bath, a hug, a decent meal, a hug and some clothes that fit.

Bah humbug to all the POs! I'm not a teacher but I am a class rep . All the classes at DS's primary school have them. Any donations to the teachers are purely voluntary, there is no hard sell. We suggest £5 which most parents are chasing us to give. If parents do not donate, for whatever reason, that is fine, the communal card still says from All the parents and children of x class. The teachers at DS's school are fab. They consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and acknowledging this with a small gift, whatever the monetary value, is something we want to do. FWIW I'm a HCP and we can't move on our ward for the boxes of Heroes, Quality Street etc. Same difference, non? Diet starts in the New Year .

My pupils bought me a yacht for Christmas, but it's not the right kind

Of couuuuuurse it is. But there's caring and there's caring.

Euphemism, an example: some teachers would respond with an 'oh well, they'll be alright / that's life/ yes it's sad isn't it.'. Others would respond by doing something/ liaising with sideline who will be able to do something it actively help with a sad situation. By sad situations, I mean children who are in difficult circumstances and who have large files but who are largely ignored by social services. I'm sure that all teachers (perhaps more so in primary) knows who cares and dies something about it - and who may not even be aware and 'hasn't the time/ doesn't see the need to.

Oops- Euphemia (auti correct) sorry.
Some teachers (sorry to go on but an trying to explain more fully) accept where less able pupils are at. Others try to help, to remediate, to go beyond what they know and develop strategies and to carry out programmes that will actually help a child to progress. Same can be said for children who are G&T, on the SEN register - or, pertinently, aren't but need support.

Back on topic I got a bottle of mulled wine, 4 boxes of choc and lovely cards.

On the flip side what, if anything, do you give your pupils? I gave sweeties and Christmas pencil/rubber combo.

Euphemia / Goodness
We have had experience of good teachers and freaking excellent teachers. Of teachers who do their duty, and of teachers who go well beyond their official remit for the good of the children. I respect both of these types of teachers, but adore the latter.

Since we moved home to UK, DD has had 3 years of the latter, and she has been transformed. I can't praise her school enough, or her teachers.

Secondary, so I didn't get anything from the kids.

But this year I gave my tutor group a card with a personal note in it, of appreciation/encouragement/support.

I was bowled over by the reaction of several girls giving me a giant group hug, with years in their eyes. They're 14-16, spend a lot of their time being... teenage!

I'm not good with people invading my personal space, but I'm so pleased they were pleased. I thought they'd take the piss out of me being sentimental!

All the others, including the sulky ones and the one who'd been caught skiving, said a thank you as they left. And it was better than any physical present.

I can't wait to get back to them after Xmas.

*tears in their eyes.

Tears in my eyes just thinking about it!

Regaining, that's amazing. What an incredible 'like a film' moment!

I teach year one. I got lots of lovely chocolates and biscuits, a bottle of wine and a very generous voucher from one family.

I do feel slightly uncomfortable about receiving so many gifts. However, I have really enjoyed buying gifts for DS's teachers, since he started last year and that has made me feel differently about receiving gifts.

I had several thank you cards from parents this year too, which were lovely. I will put up all the cards from the children. I love all the different spellings of my surname!