What do teachers REALLY want for end of term gifts?

[LunaLoveg00d]

Getting towards that time of year again (we're in Scotland so finish end of June) and I never have a clue what to buy. Think last year I got little metal bookmarks with the teacher's name on them, year before that boring candles and wine.

I want to show my gratitude but as the daughter of a teacher I know how many boxes of Roses she got at the end of summer term and at Christmas. I also loathe with a passion any "best teacher" tat. Or twee little poems.

Can I have suggestions for a nice box of biscuits for the staff room please?Not doing individual gifts this year but will send in these for the last week of term.

So if there are any parents of secondary pupils reading this, why is it that (some) parents seem to think that they have to buy primary teachers a present, but the instant their children go to secondary they don't bother??

Is it the fact that there are so many teachers to buy for? Or is it that there's no peer pressure at the school gate anymore, since secondary school pupils get themselves to and from school?? Or something else?

I'm a secondary teacher, but my own children are still in primary. My favourite "presents" have been from pupils who have genuinely thanked me for teaching them (either verbally or in a card), so that's what I encourage my own children to do.

I keep the cards, they are really precious. I alive stationary and have no objection to wine/chocolate/flowers but they are really not necessary. If you’ve sent me a polite, considerate student all year that’s the best thing a parent can give me, and every other kid in the class.

Love sationary, even!

I buy those Green and Blacks mini selections and give them to the staff room a week before the end of term.