Teachers' gifts: yes or no, buy or make, group or individual

Madmel

As a secondary teacher, I neither want nor expect gifts. I have had some lovely cards over the years with heartfelt personal messages that have made my day. I have also had the odd bottle of wine or box of chocolates from appreciative parents who feel that I have gone the extra mile, which have always been welcome.

I'm really glad my own children are above primary age as I really do not like the idea of being told how much to chip in. The only time this has happened was when DD1's KS1 teacher got married. It was a very small school and she was one of only 3 teachers and the suggested donation was £5.

DD1 organised a collection when her Physics teacher became a dad for the 2nd time. She found some physics-y baby vests online and the kids each put in £1. The teacher was absolutely thrilled and had photos on his lab door for months of his new baby dressed in each of the vests. As another poster has said, these are 6th form students, many of whom have weekend jobs and they enjoy sourcing unusual gifts.

kingfisherblue

My son is in a special school, and in his small class he has a teacher and four part time TAs. He loves giving gifts and cards. Instead of individual gifts, I make up a hot drinks hamper or a snack hamper for them to share next term.

He also gives a small gift to his bus driver and escort, and would be upset of he couldn't.

These people make a difference to his life, and some even came to his eighteenth birthday party (with gifts and cards for him). It makes my son happy to give gifts, and hopefully the recipients enjoy them.

Kynthia

thriftyemma wrote: »

When I was at school (25 years ago :eek:) only a handful of children gave the teacher gifts. It seems to have gained in popularity a LOT more now. I hear all kinds of stories, expensive bottles of wine, £100s in amazon vouchers, all sorts. I think it's totally unnecessary.

My children's teachers have been amazing, and the children have said they'd like to get something for them. I'm 'guiding' them towards something like a book token, rather than anything too personal. I don't like the idea of sending kids in with wine, and homemade 'crafts' will probably be, like a previous poster said, admired for a little while and then chucked in the bin.

They are also making cards. It's a few minutes work, it's more personal than a shop bought one, and they all genuinely want to say thank you to their teachers. They are all primary aged, so I think it's suitable for them.

I left primary just over 25 years ago and I do remember that teachers got gifts. I don't remember the specifics but it was usually a card and a small token gift, possibly a small box of chocolates. One teacher that had made a big difference to me I remember my mum splashing out on something more special (perhaps an ornament we knew she'd like but I'm not sure). I don't think they got so many keepsakes back then so there was less to throw away.

Mupette

I don't get gifts for doing my job!!

pigpen

Mupette wrote: »

I don't get gifts for doing my job!!

exactly.. this is why I won't. I don't buy gifts for the GP or the ice skating teacher, or the vet, or the binmen..

I actually feel quite sorry for the teachers having to decide what to do with so much stuff every year.. I'd dread it! toiletries sets you cant use as it irritates your skin and flowers to set your hayfever off, wine you don't drink, sweets when you are already hugely overweight (my 5 y/o's teacher, she looks like 4 people already)... a card or letter or a spoken thank you is much nicer and more personal (and the large teacher isn't getting one of those either!!).. I do say thank you to various other people who are paid to work with my family, such as the binman this morning or at the end of an appointment.

How many teachers here have cupboards of unused smellies and re-gift the thousands of notebooks and pens??

I knitted a blanket for a teacher going on maternity leave after she had taken hours of her own time to help my daughter catch up.. as a thank you for going beyond her job description, I also donated toys for general school/nursery use when I saw things I thought would be nice for the children to have.. but I won't buy gifts for people doing the job they chose to do.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I need to start working in Primary schools. The presents I've received at Secondary amount to a box of chocolates for one kid I stopped being bullied, a few cupcakes/brownies and the offer to buy me an ice cream at an outside event. All very kind, but nowt compared to primary staff!

Zeni

I'm a primary school teacher and have never expected to receive gifts however I've been very lucky to have some lovely things given to me. My favourite items have always been handwritten cards from the pupils which I've kept over the years in a folder so when I get my stressed days at work and feel like giving it up I have a read to cheer myself up! Also loved handmade gifts for example I had some lovely homemade jam and brownies last year and the boy was so excited to share how he made it.

onlyroz

pigpen wrote: »

How many teachers here have cupboards of unused smellies and re-gift the thousands of notebooks and pens??

I have a friend who is a primary teacher and every year she posts a picture of the mountain of gifts she receives. And yes, it's a load of chocolates she doesn't want to eat, wine she doesn't want to drink, and toiletries she has no hope of ever using.

Marvel1

Buying gifts for your own parents is bad enough (I just give money), let alone a teacher.

GwylimT

I say no, I do ask my daughter to make a card and write somethinf nice if she wishes. If a parent really wants to buy a gift a box of pens/pencils is a good idea as it is very useful for the teacher.

When I got gifts I used to donate them to our yearly raffles etc to raise money for our charity of the year. Boxes of chocolate were shared out amongst the class.