Gifts for Teachers

bella4uk

I say do it if you feel like it but not just to keep up with the jones!

moggins

I don't usually do presents for teachers but youngest DD started school this year and her teacher has made it a wonderful year for her even though she is not the easiest child around. She will definitely be getting a present as I think she deserves one

viktory

Presents for Primary schoolteachers are probably a good idea if the teacher has been particularly wonderful (and so many on here have confirmed that :T ) but not senior school.

I am constantly embroiled in disagreements with my son's school. They are so bloody petty. I also find that the school are constantly demanding money with menaces for various reasons. Can't wait until the boy leaves. Only one more year to go.

babiebeany

Yes - it's definitely the thought that counts.

I have a box filled with lovely cards, photos and momentoes which I have received over the years from children I have taught. The best gift is something made by the child.

My personal favourites are: a card made from paper with a photo of the child on the front and a little message inside, and a broken mug which the child dropped on the way to school - she knew I would see the funny side.

I have a look through every so often and it definitely takes me off down memory lane.

I think it's awful that some parents feel pressured into giving gifts. I myself only give when I or my children want to and in return as a teacher myself - I am very happy to receive gifts which are happily given, not given just to fit in with other parents. This year we have sent a bunch of flowers to the school first aider who took brilliant care of my son when he was very ill at school - she even phoned us to check how he was.

suekjw

My son finished the school nursery for the summer hols (starts full-time in September). He has 3 people in his class looking after him and I bought them all some chocs (I know, I know, but we've just had a Hotel Chocolat open in the next town, so very nice chocs!). The do little packs of 6 really nice chocs for £2.50, or £2.00 if you buy over 3 packs so they had some of those each and a card which I got him to write his name on - they have taught him to do that this term, so although it took an age to get him to write his name I guessed that would be appreciated. Another year I'll get him to make a card of his own, but he's not into that sort of thing at the moment (got to be one of the only 4 year olds not interested in painting or drawing!)

His teachers (and assistants) have been fantastic to him this year, he has had speech problems and they have done so much to help him, I just wanted to say that we do appreciate it.

misty

I sent in presents for my son's teacher and teaching assistant - not because I felt obliged but because I wanted to. They are both fantastic with the kids and my son has loved every bit of his reception year - they have made the start of his school life memorable for all the right reasons. I'm gutted he's leaving their class. I'm sure they would have been happy with just a card. He made them each a card too. Nobody should be pressurised into buying though. I felt a bit embaressed - I didn't want to look like - look at me sending in a present - so the gift bags went inside Tesco bags to disguise them!!

purplepurple

If you want to, do, if you don't, don't.

culpepper

My mother taught for a while and has photographs of pupils from the 1950's signed by them.
We only gave a present once when my 2 were at primary,it was a book token to a teacher my son had for 2 years in a row. She had helped him so much and she was one of those lovely vocational teachers you dont see very often.

Miroslav

I'm looking for a new career, looks like Teacher has jumped quite high in the list, with all these gifts

I never gave gifts to teachers when at school, and neither would I expect anything. If anything was given, a card made by the child, would have much more value than anything material, and i'm sure any quality teacher would think the same.

Poppy9

I bought some Gifts from CAFOD. Sadly they didn't live upto their promise of sending the gift card/certificate. It took me 4 phone calls over 4 weeks before one arrived even though I was told everytime they had been dispatched. I won't use them again.