End of term gifts

Perhaps we should be defending the giving of small gifts because it encourages the showing of gratitude when that gratitude has been merited. I think it's usually the kids themselves who decide whether to give a gift or not. (Talking seconday school now)

And a card with a whole group's signatures is actually more appreciated than a gift.

Typo error
NEVER not NY!!

Easybee, a lovely post, I was a teacher for many years. I often spent my own money on things I needed for my classroom, trying to get the woman in the office to reimburse me was more trouble than it was worth, despite the headteacher emphasising that we shouldn’t spend our own money.

I always sent Christmas and end of summer term presents to my own children’s teachers. I wanted to express my gratitude. I also graciously received the little bunches of flowers, the many boxes of Maltesers, the little soft toys with ‘Best Teacher’ written on them, and the boxes of biscuits and bottles of hand cream. Nowadays my AC make a contribution to a ‘class fund’ from which the teacher receives one communal gift. It seems a good idea to me, no one is obliged to contribute, but takes away any element of competition.

My children are in the 40’s but I can’t recall me buying presents for their teachers. I think it was a home made card. It seems as though it’s a sort of competition who buys the most expensive gift. I don’t think teachers should be allowed to accept gifts, nurses aren’t apart from the odd box of chocolates and even then they had to be entered onto a special list.

I agree with you Gonegirl, I wanted my children to give a small gift to their teachers because I wanted to encourage the showing of gratitude, and our respect for their teachers.

You wouldn’t believe the backlash I got the last time this subject was brought up !
So this time round I’m pleading “no comment”

Seriously, teachers shouldn’t be allowed to accept gifts!! A small box of Maltesers or a little bunch of flowers shows gratitude and respect, something many of our younger people need to be encouraged to feel.

It’s totally ridiculous- and should stop

Was it from me gillybob? You know what I'm like

Bah humbug. If people want to give gifts to teachers, nurses, care staff etc. why shouldn't they! I always appreciated any gifts I had, no matter what the cost and it also didn't bother me if some pupils gave nothing. Best present I ever had from a pupil was a potted hyacinth she had grown for me and gave me on Mother's Day- I didn't have any children at the time .

a plant is good...in a nice flower pot. not all this plastic card shop stuff. i volunteer in charity shop and and the amount of items we get for best teacher etc is unbelievable .teachers dont want this .maybe a book /grocery gift card...something they can use. i think my d got her children's teachers a plant pot on with some verse.

My favourite gifts were an album filled with little drawings and paintings from 4 7 yr olds who thanked me for teaching them art - twenty years ago and I treasure it. I also loved the one slipper made from paper, lovingly sellotaped and stapled together which I kept until it fell apart. I have no idea what prompted it but the child's mother came to me the next day and apologised that there weren't two because the girl had to go to bed!

I'm with wildswan16
What happens to all of the unwanted gifts?
It's about time we stopped adopting all of these American things that cost money that not all can afford - proms, baby showers (?), end of year teachers gifts, your neighbours budgie day etc...……….

Last year when my daughter had a lot on at work, I offered to sort out the whole end-of-year thank yous to the staff. I got the GCs to make cards for their teachers and TAs and write their own comments and thank-yous, which were lovely. I asked the headteacher whether she thought little gifts for the teachers, or a donation to school funds would be better. Her answer was very non-committal. I therefore made my own decision; I said how much the family had appreciated the teacher's support, inspirational teaching etc. in a card and added some cash for school funds as a thank you. I never received any sort of feedback. I didn't want or expect thanks, but I just wasn't sure whether I had committed some sort of faux-pas.

Sounds great, Amagran. Something the child has written is lovely.
There is no need or expectation of a present. Teachers are not greedy. ( the latest pay rise comes after years of no increases or below inflation increases).

As for not allowing teachers to accept gifts, how is that supposed to work? Flowers and plants will be enjoyed while they last, chocolates will be shared. Other objects may be appreciated, or can be sent to charity shops.
To refuse would cause hurt and offence.

Having taught for over 30 years until I retired a few years ago I would just like to let GC54 know that as a teacher I worked at school from 7.30 a.m. until 6pm plus 4out of 5 evenings at home preparing, marking and assessing children’s progress. I also worked at least one of the two days each weekend plus at least 50% of all of the school holidays. This was the practice for every teacher in the primary school in which I worked. At report writing time I used to spend one and a half hours on each child’s report. Parents seemed to think we had time to write these in school and were amazed to learn they were done at weekends.
Any presents we received were very much appreciated but not necessary or expected. A verbal or written thank you was treasured even more.
Teachers work hard. Furthermore, if you pass a school in the holidays you will notice many cars in the staff car park as the majority of teachers spend a good part of their “long holidays” in school preparing for the next term.

Gabriella G-no weekend work, you must be joking!

I do a lot of craftwork and so I always use to make something for the teachers (quilted pencil case, cross stitch initial and they were always very grateful. However, things don't need to cost much as it can be very expensive, especially if you have a number of children so maybe a trip to the £1 shop - there are lots of nice things there perhaps (cosmetics - male and female)

My gd gave her teacher a signedcopy of the book she had written. The teacher said it was the resent ever and looked forward to her being a famous author..

My husband mentioned to me one day this week that he had read on the internet that a school had asked parents to coff up £40 per child for the teachers end of term present, now, come on 'really' how ridiculous.

Today our granddaughter took a bunch of flowers for her teacher. She also gave her a lovely card. On the card she had drawn and named all the children and staff. This was all drawn with lots of detail, it must have taken her ages!

Handmade card and a bottle of wine, after spending 3 terms in a room full of children they need a drink!!!! ????

What does coff up mean?

Maw ?

I am a teacher who is being made redundant next week when our area finishes.

I have never expected a gift and have been embarrassed at times, at parents generosity. Handmade cards have always been a favourite. I always send a card to all the children wishing them luck and add a thank you for any gift.

I hadn’t heard of PTA,s asking for money and think it is unacceptable

I will miss the children