Help with gifts for teachers please

Busybee_2

I have a 10 year old daughter who is in her last year at primary school. This will be the 7th Christmas where I have bought small presents for her class teacher and the classroom assistants (most years two CA's but some years only the one). Each year I have also bought them all small presents at Easter and again at the end of each school year. I do this (a) because my daughter likes to give presents and (b) having worked with young children myself I know how hard their jobs are and know they do not finish working each day when the children leave at 3:30pm. Luckily I can afford to buy these gifts but I realise not everyone can, nor should they feel obligated to do so.

There is one point I would like to mention though:

We have brought our daughter up to always thank people for their kindness and thoughtfulness. She always sends out written thank you letters for any Christmas or Birthday gifts she receives. We consider this to be polite. Sadly though, during her time at primary school, there have been several occasions when my daughter has proudly held out a gift for her teacher/class assistant and the recipient has just waved their arm and said "Just put it on the desk" with no please or thank you given. When this has happened it has quite upset my daughter. There have only been one or two occasions when my daughter has been given a small 'thank you' note to acknowledge her gifts. As a parent I have never even received so much as a verbal 'thank you' for any of the gifts supplied. Experiences like this really make you wonder why you bother - and then I remember those reasons why I do it in the first place.

So Teachers: Please remember to thank a child that is proudly handing you a gift. Yes, it may look like it could possibly be the sixth box of chocolates you've been given that day but it will in fact be the first box of chocolates from that particular child. Lead by example and say 'Thank You' to the child.

Smiley_Mum

Box of Quality Street, Roses etc divvied up and wrapped in a little pouch of coloured tissue paper and sealed with a little bit of ribbon. Failing that there are little boxes of Gorgeous chocs in Tescos for 69p each so 13 x 69p total of £8.97. I got chocolates this morning for my boys' teachers, x 4.

afrim_2

scat wrote:

Speaking as a T.A and School Librarian I would do something like this!

http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=11&BrowseType=category&CategorySelector1:BrowseByCategory=11&Page=1

It shows your appreciation, it helps out people who need it and it would be a talking point in the staff room. Other ideas would be to buy a book for the school library. I've yet to meet a teacher that expected a gift from his/her pupils at christmas, and quite frankly if they did expect a gift then I would say they don't deserve one!!!!! Don't feel you have to, a hand made card is infinitely more precious than anything money can buy.

This is a fantastic idea, as a Citizenship teacher I would really appreciate this!

alyssa_mae

afrim wrote:

This is a fantastic idea, as a Citizenship teacher I would really appreciate this!

I have now opted out of the whip and ordered gifts from the oxfam site for my daughters & sons teachers. this is a great idea scat.

absolutefox

scat wrote:

Speaking as a T.A and School Librarian I would do something like this!

http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=11&BrowseType=category&CategorySelector1:BrowseByCategory=11&Page=1

It shows your appreciation, it helps out people who need it and it would be a talking point in the staff room. Other ideas would be to buy a book for the school library. I've yet to meet a teacher that expected a gift from his/her pupils at christmas, and quite frankly if they did expect a gift then I would say they don't deserve one!!!!! Don't feel you have to, a hand made card is infinitely more precious than anything money can buy.

What an excellent idea! I'm a single parent and also feel pressured into buying presents and also have to shell out for theatre trips, young journalist trips, school photos etc so I've just bought 100 school dinners for £6 and can't wait to give the gift card to my daughter to give to her teacher.

Thanks for the suggestion x

Caramelapplebetty

I got a handmade card today (made by a parent) - last year I worked part-time and made lots of my own Christmas cards so know how time consuming it is - this year I am working full-time so no time to make them. But it was lovely that this mum had made me a card but what was even better was that her four year old had signed his own name - he couldn't do that in September. Best present!

A_LANCASHIRE_LAD_2

pinkjobo wrote:

Ugh people like lancashire lad make my blood boil but I suspect he knew what he was saying would put us teachers backs up. I am an infant teacher and when somebody has come into my classroom to help that has never been into a school before (in a work capacity), they are astounded at what we have to put up with. Most of the time we are teachers but we're social workers, cleaners, marriage councilors, psycologists, nurses, peacemakers, a shoulder to cry on etc etc. Its bloody hard work but worth it when you see children change and progress in front of your eyes because of the work you've put in.

Well back to the op, don't feel like you should buy all the staff something, trust me they don't expect it. I always appreciate anything that I am given and ALWAYS write a little thank you note to the child to take home.

There is also another side to look at. Don't know about other schools but I think if parents knew what we actually buy from our own pockets they wouldn't begrudge spending a couple of quid. This year for example I have bought a small Xmas tree for the classroom, little treats to go in an advent calendar, 30 cards, a little present for each child to go under their tree, and thats just Xmas. There is Easter and the end of term presents plus little things throughout the year, but again I don't mind because I enjoy doing it.

Christmas is about giving and sharing. Showing your appreciation with a small gift whether its a homemade card or choccies goes a long way. Things the children have made themselves is wonderful because you know they have spent time doing that just for you.

Anyway rant over!

Oh shurrup ruddy wingin ....look if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen ..... fact is you know you are ona bloody good bit of bunger each payday so shut up or ship out .