Gifts for students

[yzme]

Being part of twinkl groups on FB, I see lots of teachers posting pictures the gifts they have brought for their students. I think we spend enough on resources etc. through out the year.

So out of curiosity do you buy xmas gifts for the students?

I used to, pencil and rubber set or chocolate bar. I wouldn’t bother now, not so young and keeno any more. I do two advent calendars though.

Always get them a wee chocolate.

Step away from Twinkl and the personalised bracelets!

No. But then I'm secondary. I think it's a bit odd to be honest. I've taken in a box of celebrations for my tutor group in the past. I now only have one small group to teach (I have the same 11 every day) and have started baking brownies for birthdays - by coincidence, one of the girls turns 17 on the last day of term so I'll do brownies for that day, but gifts? No.

I stepped away from twinkl. First year I thought they were just enthusiastic. Last year okay then. This summer some of them are just too envolved. The classrooms and comments about how much work they have.

But to answer the question. Some do some don’t. Depends on the age group. Earlier primary usually a small chocolate coin in the card. As they grow nothing unless it’s a nqt or teacher new to the school.

No. How much do these people earn?!?

I’m secondary, my form get a card with a chocolate coin and a candy cane and my sixth formers get a card. That’s it.
Now when they leave is a different matter...

Holiday that’s a chocolate coin and a candy cane more than mine get 😁

When 6th formers leave though I do them each cards on moon pig with pictures of them over the years they’ve been doing drama with me. Aim is to see how many I can make cry.

I usually get each child in my tutor group a tube of sweets from the Xmas aisle in asda and will bring in chocolates to share with my 6th form classes the ones I like but don't spend a fortune. I've never got kids anything when they leave though.

I have written a card for every member of my year 4 class and put a small Kinder chocolate in the envelope. They also get a chocolate coin when their name comes up on the advent calendar. For 30 children I think that's plenty.

As a parent, something I really love is one dc’s teacher gives a handmade card of a big class photo, at a school trip etc - really lovely idea!

I got them a £1 gift each. Just stocking-stuffer type things, not too tat.

I don't feel obliged to, but a lot of them get/make me things independent of their parents, and I do it on the last day so it's too late for them to reciprocate!

We aren't allowed to give out chocolates/sweets, and I have three allergic to nuts, or I would probably just do that.

I've given them the gift of education from September, surely that's enough.

I don't like all these keychains/reindeer hot chocolates/candy canes etc I see on the Twinkl groups. I don't see the point. I don't think the kids really appreciate it, I have other things to spend my money on and the world doesn't need more tat.

I do give each one a Christmas card and we do some art or baking on the last day, but no presents as such.

I got Book Depository books for mine this year which worked out £1 each. School gave us a budget of £1 a child which was great. In hindsight, wrapping 31 books is a complete faff, and not sure the kids really appreciated them anyway. Other teachers bought toys for the wetplay cupboard, so next year I'll do that instead.

I think this is a problem. I really don't think teachers should feel obliged to spend their own money on presents but it's hard when some teachers do and some don't. I never have personally as I'm not sure the children really appreciate it.

School gave us a budget for each child so I bought it from that. I wouldn’t have bought them anything with my own money.

Yes I get mine a gift, a book and another stocking filler type toy and a Christmas cupcake this year plus the TA's all give them little gifts too. Slightly different though as it's a Semh class in a highly deprived area so many of them aren't going home to the type of Christmases that we imagine. I just want them to have a bit of sparkle.

I was surprised though that ds came home with a book signed by all the staff in his class. There's 30 kids and its in a nice fairly affluent area so although it's a lovely gesture I didn't feel it was necessary (although the teacher did get a £200 gift voucher from the parents)

We've done sweet cones this year but I have a stack of activity books from Aldi which had been reduced to 8p in the January sales, if they do the same again this year I'll buy the extras I need and that will be next year's gift sorted.

I take a box of chocolates in for my form on thr last day (the big tins of celebrations).
I also do a form advent calendar.

Gifts and cards? No.

I usually make mine some gingerbread- I love baking so enjoy it. Last t year was tricky though- had one coeliac and one vegan in my class.
I also made them a cupcake each at the end of the year.
I did cheat and print sticky labels 'love from Ms Swancourt ' for my class xmas cards though- couldn't face writing 31.