Presents for teachers

[Haj]

Hi all, with the end of term looming in a couple of months I'm already thinking about what presents to get to thank the teachers. They've been great but I'm on  a budget and there's 2 of them.

Any good ideas?

[Lillabet]

As the daughter of a primary teacher can I suggest - not chocolates. They'll get a lot of chocolate.  How about something relaxing to help them wind down after the school year. A suggestion might be a small bubble bath type gift from the body shop or similar. Or a nice scented candle. You really don't need to spend much at all. Any gift is appreciated, even if it is the tenth small box of roses...

[silly moo]

I know I'm a big meanie at times - BUT why do you have to give them a present?
They get paid to do their job just the same as you or I.
When was the last time you got a pesent for going to work?

[silly moo]

P.S.
How often do you buy presents for the teachers?
I can (almost) understand Christmas, but EVERY term?!

[secretspirit]

I think my Mum used to give pot pourri. Or maybe a bottle of wine - poor teachers probably need it by the end of term!

[Haj]

As I said they've both been great.It's also because my children have spent so much time with these people for a year and they have a relationship with them and they personally would love to give their teachers, who they love, a present to say thanks and goodbye! I don't see it as an obligation, it's a nice gesture.

I only do it at the end of each school year as a thanks, not at xmas, couldn't afford that!!

My sister used to work in a school and she said the teachers all moaned at getting smellies, they'd rather have a bottle of plonk!! Rather ungrateful I think, but perhaps just a reflection on those particular teachers!

[acw]

Haj didn't say there was any obligation - just that they felt a nice gesture would be a good idea.  I can tell you don't tip in restaurants silly_moo as you perhaps don't understand the idea of "service above and beyond".  At least there are people out there who aren't total jobsworths. 

 

I agree with the previous positive posts however.  Giving an expensive gift may cause the teacher to feel uncomfortable anyway.  Something small and perhaps personal to you might be nice.  So that when they enjoy the gift, they remember your children, and you! :-)

[twiglet4frog]

i tip well at pizza hut and i get freebies everytime the same waitress sees me, she knows where her bread is buttered and i am like a vip there, i only go once a month and she loves seeing me turn up so tipping is well worth it, as for the present thing....how can chocolate be too much?? u can never have enough haha!, i personally would be happy sending a card saying thank u as words mean so much.

[silly moo]

Actually I DO tip - (helps make up for the poor wages. )
Don't make assumptions.
I still don't understand what a good teacher does that deserves extra.
Maybe they stand out because there are so many not so good ones out there.

[Haj]

Well, to be honest they probably don't do anything above and beyond their duty, but as I said, they spend a lot of time with my children and mthe kids love them and want to buy them a present. You can't expect children to spend so much time with a person and not form bonds.

I buy my nephew a present at xmas but only do it out of duty, that I find questionable, buying for someone my children love and see all the time is perfectly normal I feel, even if it's not xmas.

[magicdice]

not chocolate or wine! i remember that that's all my teachers ever used to get from my classes. some nice bath stuff, or flowers even!

[acw]

Perhaps you weren't fortunate enough to go to one of the many many school in this country with wonderful teachers.  In a class of 32+ taking time to give individual care to pupils is a huge challenge.  Some teachers make the difference in that a pupil who otherwise would go through school because they had leaves with a thirst for learning and appreciating the joy of discovery.  Other teachers may run extra curricular activities - one of mine helped me to develop the love of music that my parents were also encouraging.  Without her I could not have learnt to play the flute and I have made so many friends through that hobby.  Other teachers can give you the confidence to strive for your best and acheive your dreams.  These teachers, who don't just stop when satisfied you know your timestables - they deserve presents, or at least a card. 

[acw]

Error correction

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Thank you. 

[morg_monster]

my bf's mum is a Year 1 teacher and she always loves it when they make her homemade cards. Then again it depends on how old your kids are!  She also gets a lot of smellies and chocolates, but I don't think she really minds at all - it is the thought that counts and her hubby and 3 sons help out with the choc.  Her husband who teaches in secondary school only looks on in jealousy as she comes home with all the gifts!

There's always the shiny apple route... (only kidding!)

Serious suggestion: how about a nice mug for the staff room...

[Haj]

Actually I really love the mug idea! You can get 'Worlds best Teacher' mugs I think and I have some ceramic pens a home so we can personalise them. I like it.

Thanks to every one for your replies.

[Gevs1966]

You could get them a cane each so they can install some discipline in the next lot of unruly sprogs that pass through their class!

[catra1]

as an ex-teacher I was always touched when the children brought me presents although I had far too much chocolate than i could cope with. One of the best presents I got was a packet of joss sticks "to help me chill out" after the end of a very stressful term and a neclace off a child. His mum had given him �1 to get it off the market and he picked it out himself and was really chuffed with his choice. I think it's the thought that counts not the cost. I used to buy all the children a small easter egg at easter and a hyacinth bulb to plant and take home to their family- we planted them around Christmas (paid for by myself...my way of saying thanks to them for being a great bunch of children).

I've since left the profession it was a fun job but also much harder work than people recognise. I stopped getting paid at 3pm and could leave school then, but often left school after 5pm and did lots of after school club work (voluntarily) to help the school. I spent a lot of my holidays planning work for the next term and going into school to clear the displays/ label draws and books etc etc. If I felt my child had a good teacher I wouldn't think twice about sending a present in as a 'thank you'.

[EssJay1]

I'm a teacher and agree with most of the comments, including the one about why - we get paid! Personally, I'd rather have a handmade gift - a card for example. My favourite pressies have been a bookmark made from pressed flowers and covered in sticky backed plastic, a painted glass jar (done at school) and a bookmark crocheted by a nan.
Please don't spend a fortune on a mass produced gift. A heartfelt thank you card with a letter expressing your gratitude will be greatly appreciated.

[flashpig]

If your child has any photos of the whole class taken on a school trip or something a framed photo might be nice. Just a thought. Might seem a bit cheesy, and the teacher might appreciate getting away from the little swine.

Chocolate is pretty easy though and tastes good. I don't believe catra 1 got too much chocolate. Such a thing does not exist.

[Doyley]

I am a classroom assistant in a reception class and it is really lovely when you receive a little something at the end of term to say thank you. It really doesn't have to be much, my favourites are the cards the children write themselves. As a suggestion, in my school the parents all contribute to a joint pressie which is easier for you and is sometimes better than recieving 30 boxes of choccies - especially when you are on a diet!
Alternatively, why not make a scrap book or memory book with a page from all the kids.
Happy Holidays!

[lozzylou]

my boys aged 2 and 3 have both started nursey and preschool this year and i will be buying the teachers a little gift at xmas as a way of saying thankyou. my youngest has had a little trouble settling in but they have all been so patient and loving towards him and he is now buildin a bond with them. i know this is there jod but when you can see them making a difference to your childs life i think it is nice to say thanks with a little gift. at the pre school my son goes to there are 5 teachers so i will probably just buy a big tin of chocolates as a joint thing.
my older son has 2 teachers and i will probably buy them a mug or a nice diary or pen set.