thank you gifts for teachers

Spendless

Have you kept any of their school stuff from previous years? Something I have considered doing when mine leave is to paste a few of these items from each year into a journal, not loads just a sample of literacy/numeracy/painting etc so the recipient can see how much the child progressed from starting to finishing at the school and perhaps the last page a thank you from the child or a poem written out- one about education or teachers, such google couldoblige with something relevant.

kiddy_guy

Can I just add as the OH of a teacher, I don't want "tat" cluttering up the house. I know this may seem heartless, but we all have had Xmas gifts from relatives that have gone in a raffle or to the charity shop. Nobody wants these from relatives and these gifts would have more sentimental value than ones from kids you might have taught for 1 year. If in doubt, wine or choccies works well.

Nenen

kiddy_guy wrote: »

Can I just add as the OH of a teacher, I don't want "tat" cluttering up the house. I know this may seem heartless, but we all have had Xmas gifts from relatives that have gone in a raffle or to the charity shop. Nobody wants these from relatives and these gifts would have more sentimental value than ones from kids you might have taught for 1 year. If in doubt, wine or choccies works well.

I strongly disagree with this post! As a teacher myself I care deeply about the children I teach (much more than many of my relatives) and their gifts often have great sentimental value for me. I have gifts from when I started teaching 28 years ago and still remember the names of the children who gave them to me. I really appreciate the thought behind the gifts, often from families who don't have a lot of money. If you really haven't got room for some of the presents (or like I mentioned earlier due to skin allergies can't use certain bath products) then the charity shop benefits. That way the gift is used at least three times (or possibly more), once as a token to let the teacher know you appreciate what s/he has done, secondly to make money for the charity and thirdly to give pleasure to the person that buys it. I keep lots of the presents I have been given and, fortunately for me, my dh knows just how much these things mean to me and is happy for me to display them proudly all over the house! I wonder if you prefer your OH to get chocs and wine so you can 'share' them! If my child was in your OH's class and I thought s/he shared your attitide I certainly wouldn't give anything at all.

Of course I never expect presents from any child and fully understand not all parents want to do this (for a whole variety of reasons). I would hate any parent to feel pressurised to buy or do anything as it ruins the thought behind it if someone does it out of duty rather than genuine desire. Over the course of six years I taught four siblings and never got (or expected) a present from any of them particularly as the family were desperately poor and had all sorts of problems. When I was leaving the school the Mum came in with a little china trinket box (the sort you can buy in Poundland) and a thank you card. I was so touched and still have the box and card fifteen years later. I have kept every card that has a personal message written in it I have ever been given and, when I am feeling fed up with the latest government interference and feel like giving up teaching, I go though my 'treasure box' and remind myself why I still want to do the job!

One of the the most touching presents I ever recieved was perishable so I couldn't keep it. A 5 year old in my foundation class watched many of her peers give me a present on the last day of term and looked rather upset as her parents had obviously decided that they did not wish to give me a gift. The little girl suddenly pulled out a single Twix bar from a twin pack (she had obviously eaten the other bar already) and proudly presented it to me with a huge smile saying, "Mummy said we shouldn't buy presents for teachers because they get paid but I saved you this". I struggled not to cry while her mother looked daggers!

bonty44

That is SO lovely.

I have still kept all the little cardigans, shawls, bootees and blankets that parents of my Year 8s and 11s knitted when I went on my first maternity leave - I was SO touched by them.

Mme.Hibou

Oh Nenen that is adorable.

phunkles

Is this the same thread thats on Special Occassions board

Heath84

Lydia82 wrote: »

Oh Nenen that is adorable.

totally agree!
ive kept cards i was given at the end of my teaching placements and have been made a few thank you for teaching us notes whilst being on supply. Its nice to feel appreciated and a handmade card always makes me smile.

Newly_retired

I have kept all the special cards my pupils gave me over the years. Most of the gifts were chocs, wine or flowers, but a delicious surprise was a fruit cake, baked by a pupil ( aged 16) as she knew fruit cake was my favourite and had remembered. Other treasured gifts are a china mug, a tea tray, a silver photo frame, all from beloved and appreciative pupils.
But most of all it is the thought that counts.
The present I least appreciated and don't know where to keep, is an engraved glass bowl, too small for trifle or a fruit bowl, but this was from the Governors.

brightonman123

an apple shaped box, like i have seen for carrying bananas?

cam101

Okay, one the one hand any touching present is nice- e.g. handmade pottery by child, those iron on bead things that you can use as coasters, best teacher mugs and photo frames etc.

But... as a bit of a clean freak I just don't know what to do with these things when I get them home, however well intentioned.

If I could really choose, i'd say something like a nice bottle of wine, chocolates, toiletries or jewellery. When I say jewellery, I don't mean expensive. My best present was an earrings and bracelet set from Next- the girl had noticed I like to wear colourful jewellery so parents had chosen something for me. This felt more personal than a best teacher plaque!

My worst gift was a mug with tea stains in the bottom, not wrapped, just handed to me. Nice. But still, it shows the child cared!

All of the above aside, the thing I would be most happy with is a handwritten note from parents to say how pleased they are. Had one of these last year and it means so much more than any gift.

Finally, thank you for caring:D