christmas gift for teacher - cheap & cheerful

glitterpops

Emmarillo wrote: »

I always buy a present for teachers and classroom assistants at christmas, but what I really object to is that the teachers open their presents in front of the class. My daughter was so excited that someone had bought the teacher the same M&S hamper that we'd bought for Grandma; but to be honest I just thought it was showing off. Some of the parents are really competitive and there's no way I can compete.

I'm a teacher. The kids simply LOVE it when you open their gift straight away and thank them, with a geuine smile. There is no competitiveness in the classroom over who bought the best pressie, as I'm delighted with each one you open. If you take it home to open, even if you write a little thank you note, the moment has passed. As stated above, usually about half the class will bring a pressie, so it's not expected at all. From my experience, most teachers love a bottle of wine, although my favourite pressies have been little personal ones - a single choc wrapped in cute box decorated by the pupil, for example, or a plate of cookies on a plate to keep (even a pound shop plate!). Even a card saying 'Thank you for teaching me' is very special.

jacmacd

Its such a shame that most of the teachers gif:mad:ts end up in the charity shop. Parents who can ill afford gifts with "for my teacher,etc" will find plenty of them in the chairty shop, so why buy new. It just goes to show that these gifts are not appreciated. :mad:

jellyhead

My eldest once gave his teacher the oxfam unwrapped gift of some books for a school in Kenya, which the teacher seemed pleased with.

I honestly don't think the teachers at our primary expect gifts, and they won't keep track of who gives a gift and who doesn't, or treat those who give good gifts differently to those who gave nothing.

A box of biscuits for the staffroom seems to go down well though, and I've seen tins on offer recently in the supermarkets, half price at £3.50 or so.

jellyhead

jacmacd wrote: »

Its such a shame that most of the teachers gif:mad:ts end up in the charity shop. Parents who can ill afford gifts with "for my teacher,etc" will find plenty of them in the chairty shop, so why buy new. It just goes to show that these gifts are not appreciated. :mad:

Teachers don't ask for gifts though - parents insist on giving them.

lovegrabbit

I have 5 kids at school I buy 1 gift and its always from Oxfam gifts like a desk or work books or a goat depending on how flush I am, I have found that the teachers think its a great idea and they are happy and so am I as I feel I have helped out a bit and also teaches my kids the true meaning of giving x

jaymac_2

Some teachers aren't too keen on home made edible gifts unless they really know the child/family it's come from.

kivsy

My childrens teachers all have crabtree and evelyn handcream as a xmas pressie as I managed to get 5 of them on the glitch that came up a couple of months ago :j

djbake

TC1978 wrote: »

I have several friends who are teachers. Whilst I did 12 hours of uni lectures per week, they were in all day every day.

Spare a thought for the hard work they put in on a day to day, night to night, weekend to weekend, 'holiday' to 'holiday' basis. My friends don't often make it out at weekends as they are planning and marking and are usually found in school during what we see as their 'holidays' too! They use their own money to buy resources as school budgets get cut, and can only take their hols when prices are higher. It's not just a 9- 3pm job- more like 7.45am until 5.30pm and working when they get home! Our future society will be a mess without them.

I do know that rather than the competitive presents mentioned, they like simple things- if anything. Thrifty boxes of MALTESERS are usually faves, so bear that one in mind... I'm sure somewhere they have a decent offer!!

Good luck to anyone buying something different this year- love the idea of books :T... might just have to pinch that idea for my DS's fabulous teacher!

teachers get paid to do a job like everyone else in the country! Do you all take xmas gifts to the doctors/nurses etc..... that look after your kids all year round!! maybe they do or dont get a good wage i'm not really interested and its none of my business i just think its all over rated!! Thats my opinion x

loobylou232

jaymac wrote: »

Some teachers aren't too keen on home made edible gifts unless they really know the child/family it's come from.

they know exactly where those hands have been!

mintymoneysaver

I'm a teacher too, and I don't expect anything at all. If children do buy though, I certainly wouldn't dream of taking the present home to open. They love to see you open them in class and say thank you there and then. I'd love home made cakes etc, but there are certain children who I would worry about hygiene etc:rotfl:I always love it when a child signs the card though, sometimes it's so obvious mum has written it. My daughter once famously wrote on a card in junior school, " I hope your new class are as nice as me...."

If anyone is stuck for ideas though, we do all like wine and maltesers!!!