Have you bought or made teachers gifts this year?

Maz

I really don't get this present for the teacher thing, is this some American custom that has seeped over the pond? Can anyone enlighten me?

littlegreenparrot

A couple of colleagues with children at primary school were having this discussion a few days ago. I explained that, having been a teacher, gifts were not expected. They insisted that they were and felt the pressure to do something - but had no idea what.

I suggested a card made by the child, with a note inside to the effect that you have made a donation to an educational charity. There are many both here and abroad. Everyone's a winner. You don't have to panic about what to get, you feel you have said thank you properly, no-one can get sniffy with you. Somebody less fortunate gets the benefit, and teacher doesn't have to deal with stuff.

sarah861421

£2-4

A couple of years ago, when my daughter left primary school, I did buy a present. She had had this teacher for 2 yrs, was amazing, and really did make a difference to my daughter. I made a calendar via Vista Print. It cost about £3. Each month had a photo of either the school, the class, the teacher etc, but not necessarily my daughter, and I added in all the dates she needed.
I didn't / couldn't spend a lot but I did want to mark the event in some way.

Diamond_Orchid

This whole teacher gift thing is a new one on me too. I've never bought gifts for teachers.
Most of my family were teachers and this isn't something that was suggested or ever mentioned.

I shan't be buying gifts for my sons teachers, however I will thank them if I feel they are doing a good job. I will give them a Christmas card.

PuzzledDave

£5 +

Yes, we brought our sons teacher and each the teaching assistants a £20 high street voucher, did the same for younger sons nursery key workers. Not because of new traditions or because it is what is expected (was new to us that it is expected) but because of the fantastic work they have done for both of our sons, their education and social development has come on leaps and bounds under their care.

Yes, this is their job - but I'll be dammed if I don't say thank you in a more meaningful way than a simple card. They have made my childrens future brighter for the rest of their lifetimes - that is worth a decent gift my book.

In truth, I feel somewhat ashamed it was not a larger gift per person given the truly massive improvement they have brought in our childrens lives, it seems a pittance any way you look at it (per day ? per instance of help ?) but it was the limit of our discretionary spending.

LilElvis

£5 +

Maz wrote: »

I really don't get this present for the teacher thing, is this some American custom that has seeped over the pond? Can anyone enlighten me?

It's certainly not a new thing. My Mum was a primary school teacher and I can remember how happy my sister and I were at Christmas and the end of summer term because there would be lots of boxes of Matchmakers and After Eights. Not so bothered about the bath salts and Avon talc though. That was forty years ago.

Quackers1

I teach in a secondary school and never expect anything. I treasure the thank you cards and notes because they really are heartfelt, especially when the students have made the effort to write them themselves.

I choose to give my tutor group Christmas cards, little Easter eggs and something when they leave me, this summer they all received a bookmark with an inspirational quote. Some of my colleagues do, some don't, so it really is down to personal choice.

This summer I was lucky enough to receive a quirky bracelet (made from a tape measure) which suits my tastes, a set of bulbs and an afternoon tea voucher from a very grateful parent. None of these were expected but they were a lovely surprise. All had also been chosen to suit my tastes (I don't drink, I'm not a fan of chocolate and I was going on a school trip immediately after the end of term).

kingfisherblue

One of my sons attends a special school and likes to give his teacher and TAs a present each. This year, he has given a pad with different sizes and patterns of Post It notes, and a pen. Not too expensive (I'm on a budget!), but hopefully useful and small enough not to take up too much space. It's a practical gift that was suitable for both males and females. Knowing several teachers, I knew that chocolates, wine and smellies should be avoided.


My other son wanted to give a small gift to a particularly helpful teacher. He chose a mini shopping trolley penpot, filled with sweets. Again, small, hopefully useful, and my son was keen for something slightly quirky.


Both are secondary age lads.


Both, of course, included a carefully chosen card with a Thank You message written inside - chosen by my sons, not me.


At Christmas, for my son in special school, I made up a hamper of sweet and savoury snacks to be shared in the staffroom - he has so many different teachers and TAs.

earthmother

£2-4

We've always done some kind of Christmas and end of year gift, right since the kids were in nursery, not because we felt we had to, but because they wanted to. We have been on a budget though, so it's generally simple things.

There is always a card - if not handmade, at the very least with a personalised message, and a 'posh' tin of biscuits for the staffroom, along with personalised teacher/TA gifts.

Over the years we've decorated plant pots, (once with home grown plants, another with grow kits (pack of seeds, a pair of gardening gloves, we've made 'spoon bugs', homemade notelets, decorated baubles, Chocolate sleighs, all kinds of ideas - many from this site, none huge or costing more than a couple of pounds each.

This year the boys are getting older, and a little more picky as to who/what they want to gift, but there were still things made. Eldest (yr9) hasn't bothered with teacher gifts since going to High, but this year his form teacher was retiring, so she got some chocolates and a charm keyring he crafted himself after carefully choosing the charms (looked very professional when done too). The younger two took an idea I found on pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/498914464943008125/) - one went the tealight route, the other the plant route.

I couldn't imagine not thanking the teachers somehow.