Gifts for teachers who have looked after our children these last 3 months.

[Weekday28]

Hi, i would really like to say thank you to our children's teachers who have been in almost every day to look after them whist me and my husband have had to work these last few months however I just cant think of anything good enough. I did think maybe a Costa gift card or amazon voucher?

Would anyone be able to give me some suggestions on what a teacher would actually appreciate?

I suspect this thread will end up with people replying who think their child’s teacher has done nothing for three months so you shouldn’t buy yours anything. It might be worth you getting it moved to the Staff Room board, so only school staff will read it?

The best ‘thank you’ that I ever received from a parent was a handwritten letter to explain why I’d made a difference to their family that year. It made me cry and I still have it 22 years on! Different to a comment in a card somehow-it was so lovely and personal.

That's a kind thought but if you've both been working throughout this time then presumably you're both key workers and have been helping to keep the country running.

I honestly don't need a present for doing my job (any more than you would expect one for doing yours) - although a hand written letter is always really appreciated.

A book voucher is always well received. But I’ve also had a cafe Nero voucher and the note said something along the lines of “put your feet up and enjoy a coffee on us”.

My friend received at her school and was delighted with: an industrial box of nice biscuits in individual packets, boxes of fruit tea, hot choc and coffee. She said it went down very well in the staff room

Voucher is a great idea at the moment-perhaps club together as a year group? We’ve done that before, right now it’s probably better than everyone trying to organise a small thing themselves. Some teachers have really stepped up and gone above and beyond during this time, it’s important those people feel appreciated.

Lovely ideas - thank you x

Thanks to everyone who's responded so far. We're just letting you know that we're moving this thread over to The Staffroom, at the OP's request.

Vouchers are ace. John Lewis, Amazon - I got a Sainsburys one once, which was great! Just went and bought wine.

Oh sainsbury would be perfect actually. I'll make a nice card, box of biscuits and a gift card. Then they can buy some bits like wine or just some treats throughout the year for the staff room.

I dont normally do gifts (always a card) at the end of the year but i do really appreciate that this year has been incredibly stressful and hard work and they have really looked after my girls which has been tough for them.

The best gift is an email to the teachers in question with the headteacher copied in. It always gets shared with staff, makes you feel really appreciated and can be used as evidence for performance management or be quoted in a job application

Any gift is appreciated, but not expected! I keep all of the cards that students write to me, and a good word to the head would be appreciated too.

Otherwise I would always welcome wine, vouchers, decent whiteboard pens or Pritt Sticks! Maybe I haven't been teaching for long enough, but I did like getting a mug from a student last year! It was too nice to put into the staff room, but a covered cup/mug would also be useful for transporting hot drinks to and from my classroom.

Thank you, OP .

An email to the school office asking to be forwarded on the teacher and the Head is worth much more than you would think.

I dropped off to them this week a freshly picked basket of strawberries from our PYO. I checked with the head if she was ok with that and she said yes as she could wash them etc. My two have just gone back and I thought it was a nice treat for the staffroom currently. My daughter was desperate to make biscuits but I didn't think it would be appropriate currently.

I am not sure gifts will be allowed as children are not allowed to bring anything in from home. Unless items are quarantined in school

That's such a lovely gesture of yours OP. At a time when teachers are being absolutely vilified in the popular press (and frequently on here) believe me they will just appreciate that somebody has recognised they are continuing to work hard. Thank you to you for continuing your essential work as well

I’ve been back this week (I teach 6th form in a specialist setting) and one parent sent (via amazon) a box of individually wrapped (in packs of 2) fancy biscuits. Really thoughtful and will keep us going for ages!

My DS is in Year 11 and had to leave without getting a chance to say goodbye to his teachers. We have just ordered 2 big boxes of pre packed biscuits to be delivered to school next week.

I hope the teachers enjoy them.. they certainly deserve a treat. The support they have given my DS over the last 5 years has been fantastic.

We've been told we can't give presents this year because of covid. I'm gutted...DDs teacher has been fab and I was going to get her a nice Harry Potter themed notebook (I know she loves a notebook and she is responsible for getting DD hooked on the books).

A letter outlining why the teacher has been great and copied to the head is the best gift ever.