Affordable gifts for class

[JamieFraserskiltspeaksout]

I'm trying to come up with creative yet affordable gifts for 30 children. I can only afford £30 maximum. I've done keyrings and Word Clouds in the past but I don't think the children really liked them.
I was thinking of baking everyone a really luxurious cupcake and putting in a plastic holder so it would get home safely with a personal card wishing them luck. Is this rubbish?! I wanted to do something better but I'm moving house and out of money. Any better ideas?

What about a personalised pen or pencil? I've used National Pen Company before. They do have minimum orders though so might be a little over budget

The book people often do a pack of 10 books for around £10 or less and then stick a personal thank you message in the front of each. My ds got a book one year from his teacher and he loved it.

We get Book People books in school and usually order 3 sets at £9/10 for ten, so roughly a pound per child.

I'm doing books! Home bargains has some for 69p.

Or get some bubble wands Asda sell them for 50p and put a your x blew me away this year and personalised it for each child.

What age? My DD is 5 and would honestly be overjoyed with a handwritten note or a little sweet

Please just give the card. A present might be fun but it’s a waste of your money, increases plastic use (in most cases) and raises expectations that teachers will give presents to their students.
If you have the time, a personal message is lovely. In my opinion, it’s more than enough.

If primary then a little book, from The Works or similar would be lovely with a personal handwritten note inside.
You are lovely to do this

Thanks for the ideas. I think the books I've seen that are a good price seem to be a little young. It's year 4

There is no child alive that doesn't love a nice fresh novelty rubber. You can get initials ones here for 23p each.

Plus, you can write on the label the reminder that there are no mistakes they can make next year that can't be rubbed out.

So 9 year olds, is slime still a thing with 9 yr olds?

I think the homemade cupcake idea is lovely, I also think that you don't need to get them a gift, i hope that you are doing so because you feel like you want to rather than obliged to because of some social norm or expectation.

Teaching and supporting them is more than enough!

I think it is expected and as all the other teachers do it I will do something too. I do want to as well though. Over the year we really get to know these children and I want them to know I care. But 30 children is a lot to buy for!

Have a look on poundtoy.com.

cupcake idea is just lovely. what kid doesn't love a cake??

I have just ordered bouncy balls (they LOVE a bouncy ball), and a colourful pencil with a rubber on top each for my year six leavers. I know they will love these, and eagerly choose their favourite design.
Cost about £18 for 28 children. 2 gifts each, from eBay and amazon.
I wouldn't spend £30 tbh.

I just think it’s lovely of you to buy for your class! I agree that bouncy balls would be a hit with all primary aged children

Baker Ross have a big clearance sale on, you might find something good on there:

www.bakerross.co.uk/clearance

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! I think I can manage to get a little collection of things together for each child that they will enjoy!

You do not spend your own money on gifts for your students!!!

Make them a personalised laminated bookmark with school supplies and be done with it. If you feel very generous buy a big box of ice lollies or throw them a film party with popcorn one afternoon. That’s enough.

Nobody needs more plastic tat and neither children nor parents will like you less if you don’t get them a present.

What about scratch art bookmarks, you could etch their names into them or let them do it? Amazon have these.

@QueenofCBA
Our opinion seems pretty unpopular. It makes me sad that some teachers feel under pressure to spend their own money on the students (and that so many buy so much plastic tat that’ll probably just end up in landfill/the sea).

If you like your students, tell them! Don’t give them a bit of plastic that they’ll find at the bottom of a drawer in a couple of years and then throw out.

You sound really lovely and I genuinely don't intend to be rude when I say that I feel that buying kids presents is not good. It further encourages the public perception that teachers are well paid, it puts pressure on others to do the same who might not be able to afford it, and deprofessionalises us (if that is the correct phrase). I also don't think that children should buy presents for staff either for the same reasons. Cards with a thoughtful message are lovely, honestly.

Teachers give enough to the kids, in time and expertise, which is so much more valuable then the gifts you're proposing. Please don't give up your money or encourage materialism in the kids. They don't need to get an item. The suggestion of bookmarks and ice lollies was a great one if you must.

We do an ice lolly on the last day.

And I spend my time, but school resources, to make a cover for an autograph book for them to use as they are year 6 and like something for their friends to sign. I personalise them with a wordcloud in the shape of something they like, with their name and their favourite things from the year on. They then create the book and tie it together with ribbon.

I do now understand some of the reasons for not 'buying' things. Particularly the plastic toys etc that don't show any likelihood of being used.
That's why I thought a cupcake and card would be ok. We have made bookmarks as part of our changeover day otherwise that would have been lovely.
So I think I'll stick with a cupcake and card for each child just wishing them luck. I know some children have nothing in our deprived little area and I want to send them on their way with something 'nice' for being such a lovely class.
Thank you for all the feedback - it has put some things on perspective