Spill the beans... on end-of-term gifts for teachers

kaz2004

I have been a primary school teacher for 19 years. I would never
expect a gift and would never even suggest what I would like.

One year I had the parent from hell on at me all the time. Moaning
to the head that little ******** wasn't top of the class with me, when
she had been with every other teacher, stirring up parents, moaning my assemblies were not up to her expectations. When her child left my class I got a £25 gift voucher and an expensive orchid from her. It meant nothing as she had made my life a misery for a year.
I gave both gifts to my mum!

What I am trying to say is, just say thank you. When teachers work hard with your children, we do it because it's our job. We don't do it thinking of the gifts we want to receive. When we have worked until 7pm, 3 nights a week putting on a show, taken 70 children away for 5 night on an outward bounds course, a thank you would be the thing remembered. It's a rarity today I promise you.

Honestly times are tough for everyone; a thank you card will mean more than you know.

reblew42

My youngest would always insist on giving her teachers + TA's a joint gift every summer and Xmas of a big box of teabags and a box of biscuits.
She says it because they all like drinking tea and eating biscuits (dont we all !?), and whilst I always felt like a cheapskate for spending £5 for 4 people, they always seemed to be very appreciative.
She wrapped them in gift wrap and wrote a card everytime that always said '' For you to have a cup of tea and a biscuit'' - It never varied for 4 years !!:)

dizziblonde

davidsimpson wrote: »

As a teacher in an international school in the Middle East, I can't believe that teachers in the UK would be happy with office supplies!
I would suggest that the vast majority of teachers do not want boxes of chocolates, toiletries, candles, homemade gifts etc.
In my school the norm has been for the class parent to organise gift vouchers.
I always appreciate a card with a note of thanks from parents as well.

You lie!

The one thing I'd say about sending in tins of biscuits/chocs etc for the staffroom - don't do it on the last day of term because they won't get finished by the end of the day and will be left to the cleaning staff/caretaker/random workmen coming in during the holidays... if you're doing that - send them in a few days before the end of term is a good plan.

I always liked mugs - mainly because our staffroom kitchen was some kind of mug-bermuda-triangle (finger of suspicion HEAVILY pointed at the year 6 staff) and they'd vanish like mad. Was gutted when my last "teacher mug" (kids would always buy me cat ones as they knew I like cats) broke last year!

raindaisy

I used to buy crystal vases and fragranced candles to give to the teachers at the end of the year and on their birthdays but not anymore, especially when you get told that your child has slipped back in their grades because he had been forgotten, he is well behaved and doesnt disrupt the class yet those who do get all the attention along with the favourites. I am so happy to be leaving this primary school and i am not alone many many parents from the school have said the same thing and some have removed their children for that reason. So as for pressies no way, they dont deserve it.

tess1758

I work in a charity shop and a lot of gifts for ''best teachers ''ends up there.Nothing wrong with that ,it enables parents to buy them cheaper year after year and they are always in good nick.:D

Debicj

I'm just wondering if teachers are actually allowed to accept gifts anyway?

I used to work with elderly people who often wanted to give me presents at xmas etc. However, as a local authority employee, I was unable to accept as it was a sackable offence if I got caught accepting presents. Apparently gifts could be used as bribes for preferential treatment!

As many teachers are also employees of the local authority, I would have thought the same rules should apply to them.

Perhaps a homemade thank you card from the child would be an appropriate gesture.

suejb2

It is at the end of the day "their career choice"... yet saying that my 2 make a card for each of their teacher and T.A

Rainbow1973

For my son's first teacher I wanted to something special as he had had moved through nursery with her so had been her pupil for 3 years.
I had only just started making jewellery and decided to make a school teacher themed bracelet which she loved!! I now sell these on Ebay as my friends suggested others might like them.
I think flowers, chocolates and toiletries are the norm and most teachers I know tend to "recycle" these!!
I ensure my son makes and/or writes his own message in a card as this is much more appreciated.
You don't need to spend lots to show you appreciate the work a teacher has done.

rachbc

My MIL was a teacher and let me tell you the chocs, wine etc were all very much appreciated - by us at least - it was a standing joke that we'd all know when to time an end of term visit to make hte most of her bounty!! She still has every hand made/ painted mug she was given and uses them all too.

My daughter has in her head she wants to buy her teacher a necklace - I don't care if the teacher never wears it or send it to CS I like that my daughter is thoughtful (she noticed said teacher wears lots of colourful jewelery) and kind and wants to show her appreciation.

Charlie23

It's my dd's first year at achool and i have bought her teacher and TA a mug each and i was going to make some pistachio biscotti to go in it. After reading this thread I'm getting rather worried. I'm also going to get my dd to make a thank you card and for her to write in it. They've really helped her after an awful start at a different school. I never know what to get for teachers etc!