Am I being tight?

BitterAndTwisted

An even better idea would be for the child/children to make something for the staff themselves. That Twink's HobNobs recipe posted on the OS forum is foolproof and totally scrumptious so I'd probably go for that or a variation of it.

Threebabes

Ive bought my dd's teacher a bottle of wine, and the secretary just because my dd is really fond of her.

For my little dd, got the teacher and assistant a necklace & earring set reduced to 4.50 from 15 in debenhams sale.

£35 is a lot of money.

gratefulforhelp_2

pigpen wrote: »

I don't buy any of the staff presents.. they get paid every month same as any other employee why do they need presents? they are doing what they chose to do.. If they kept them for a weekend free of charge I might think about it

It is almost like buying a present for the woman who served you in tesco.. she is doing her job.. just the same..

I do think it is a stupid idea gone mad making many parents feel they HAVE to give a gift.. If they want a gift they can keep my child

I agree with this, though I may not have phrased it in quite that way...and I am a teacher.

Its just a new marketing opportunity.

horsechestnut

You are not being mean. That is just too much money. If a parent had spent that much money on me I would be very embarrassed indeed. If you really want to give something, then a small bunch of flowers, plant, box of chocs etc is absolutely fine; hand cream is also welcome as teachers are always washing their hands!

Sublime_2

I've never heard of anybody spending £35, let alone £70? which was what I believe your friend was hoping to do with your assistance. It is too much, unless you are extremely well off, and even then still OTT.

Buy a box of chocolates, and a thank you card. Perfect. :cool:

NAR

The end of year prezzie is a token of appreciation - not a competition to see who buys the best prezzie.

SkintGypsy

I just made cupcakes for the staff at my DDs nursery to have with their coffee break. A gesture of appreciation is all that is required, surely?

mountainofdebt

When Junior left junior school I got a normal thank you card (didn't have any of these silly specialised cards you have now) as it had a verse in it which summed up how I felt about the school.

I addressed it to the headmistress and all the staff and they were very appreciative of it.

As with most things, the simplest of ideas now seems to have turned into a huge monster that frightens most people

fiscalfreckles

No, you are not tight - in fact I think the staff would be quite embarrassed to receive gifts to the value your friend was suggesting.

Yes, teachers & staff are "just doing their job" but do usually form some sort of relationship with the children, and it is that which I think a small gift acknowledges. But it should only be a token of appreciation, there is no right or wrong really, and people shouldn't compare them on how much is spent.

summerday

As a teacher myself what means the most from the parents of my children is a handwritten card with personal comments about how they have valued my teaching their children, especially if they mention particular lessons/experiences that I have arranged for their child, or particular areas of progress their child has made while in my class. These are the few things that I keep hold of for the long term and that I always remember, and I prefer those to the some expensive and elaborate gifts I have received over the years. Not to say that I don't appreciate the kind gestures of chocs, flowers etc, but a handwritten, heartfelt card cannot be bettered in my opinion.