Ideas for present for teacher???

MeAuldSegotia

As title said I'm stumped - Any suggestions?
Don't want to do Choc, flowers, Toiletries or candles or any of those twee ornaments.
I was thinking a voucher for Tesco or something useful like that?
Any good ideas?

Moonbeam

I sometimes get Boots vouchers for them.

Bells21

A really nice hand made card with a thoughtful message is always the nicest present a teacher could ask for but how about a voucher for a coffee/tea place close by if you really want to get them something?

jinkybhoy

Am I the only one that doesn't think they should get a gift? They are just about to get the guts of 3 months off - Is that not enough?

I coach kids all year round free of charge and have never got a gift when the season finishes..

I feel like i'm in the minority here - I know from my Kids class of 32 - We are the only parents that don't give them something!

Does anyone else not give gifts?

Cheers

Bells21

jinkybhoy wrote:

Am I the only one that doesn't think they should get a gift? They are just about to get the guts of 3 months off - Is that not enough?

First of all it isn't the guts of 3 months off, we finish at the very end of June and are back in before the end of august.
No teacher expects or requires a gift. To be honest a simple 'thank you' is more than enough.

heldel00

Lots of people don't give gifts. Teachers neither expect nor encourage them. I have kept cards received going back to my first year teaching. (Really pisses my husband off.)

jinkybhoy

Bells21 wrote: »

First of all it isn't the guts of 3 months off, we finish at the very end of June and are back in before the end of august.
No teacher expects or requires a gift. To be honest a simple 'thank you' is more than enough.

Apologies - i'll change to just over 2 months off and the various other week long breaks during the year?

I didn't say teachers expected the presents - I asked was I in the minority and did anyone else have the same opinion.

heldel00

To answer your question MeAuldSegotia (love your username by the way, that's what my Granny used to call us) - i had one particular family who always bought me a set of pyjamas! Sounds mad but i always thought it was a great present.
(And before anyone jumps down my throat i always appreciated any presents but OP posted looking for suggestions.)

tayto lover

A good book is always appreciated.

painauchocolat

I saw a cute idea online somewhere that echoes an earlier idea posted. Get a good book, and a beach towel, maybe a bottle of suncream. Roll the beach towel, and attach the book (and suncream) at the front with a bow/ribbon. Similar could be done at Christmas with a blanket instead of towel and hot chocolate mix instead of suncream.

Having said all that, when mine make it to school I intend to buy some bit of cheap kitsch for them to give to teacher and I'll hand over a bottle of something myself. I don't like the idea of kids gifting alcohol, but I genuinely think primary school teachers do a phenomenal job and deserve to have it acknowledged in some way. As others have said, a sincere thank you goes a long way.

So does prosecco

byhookorbycrook

Teachers don't expect or solicit gifts. A sincere "thank you" note from a parent or child is the most valuable gift you could give. Like many others , teachers got hit hard during the down turn so we appreciate that money is tight, which is why I'd hate to think anyone would be under any kind of pressure
Jinkybhoy, you are welll within your rights. But that's your choice.A note costs nothing.

My neuro and her team get well paid, but they consistently work hard on my behalf so are most deserving of a small token of appreciation. Again, my choice.

Painauchocolat, that could get very expensive very quickly.

Op, a cake to the staffroom is always well received, but send one in soon, if you are going to, as the day of the holidays is MADNESS!Apart from cards, the things I liked most were plants for my garden. I thinks of a particular family who gave me a rose bush when the last of their girls finished , every time I pick a flower, but not everyone would appreciate that.

JennyZ

I'm genuinely curious, I don't have kids in school (I have nieces and nephews) but seriously why on earth would anyone even think of buying their kids teachers presents?? I'm in the civil service and nobody is allowed to accept gifts full stop.. I would have assumed it would be the same with the teachers that are public sector employees? Honestly, do working busy parents not have enough to be doing and thinking of besides having to also think about buying gifts for their kids teachers...

Mountainsandh

We give pretty stationary, cups, these little pretty reusable fabric shopping bags, keyrings, large bars of chocolate (today it was aero mint shareable), books... that kind of thing.
At Christmas I saw someone online who does a simple transparent plastic bag (like a sandwich bag) with sweets and chocolates inside, say for example marshmallows and a couple of little individual hot belgian chocolate drink pouches, with a little laminated poem or a drawing.
Look, I found an example of what I mean, it's so easy to do, cheap, and thoughtful at the same time, and kids love putting it together. We give gifts to each teacher and also SNAs, secretary ... anyone involved in caring for the child. It's a tiny school.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Teacher-Survival-Kit-Thank-You-Gift-Nursery-leaving-school-end-of-term-gift-/302359309389?hash=item466604ec4d:g:ILwAAOSwPK1ZTPAb

edit : I just thought, for summer maybe if you got the little hand creams, mini toiletries from Lidl and had them in a little bag, mini toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, conditioner, that could be their little travel kit for the summer ? penneys have great mini gadgets for travelling too like expandable facecloths... with a little poem saying in essence "have a great summer wherever you go but don't forget to come back !".

bee06

JennyZ wrote: »

I'm genuinely curious, I don't have kids in school (I have nieces and nephews) but seriously why on earth would anyone even think of buying their kids teachers presents?? I'm in the civil service and nobody is allowed to accept gifts full stop.. I would have assumed it would be the same with the teachers that are public sector employees? Honestly, do working busy parents not have enough to be doing and thinking of besides having to also think about buying gifts for their kids teachers...

I think it's one of those "everyone else is doing it so I have to" things. I've been re-gifted many a face cream, candles etc over the years from teacher friends because of the sheer number of multiple gifts received.

wirelessdude01

JennyZ wrote:

I'm genuinely curious, I don't have kids in school (I have nieces and nephews) but seriously why on earth would anyone even think of buying their kids teachers presents?? I'm in the civil service and nobody is allowed to accept gifts full stop.. I would have assumed it would be the same with the teachers that are public sector employees? Honestly, do working busy parents not have enough to be doing and thinking of besides having to also think about buying gifts for their kids teachers...

Tis just a little token of appreciation for all the hard work. No harm in it.

byhookorbycrook

bee06 wrote: »

I think it's one of those "everyone else is doing it so I have to" things. I've been re-gifted many a face cream, candles etc over the years from teacher friends because of the sheer number of multiple gifts received.

Please don't be a sheep, if you want to send in a cake or flowers (from your garden) do, but don't trot after what you perceive to be peer pressure. Primary teachers spend their careers trying to encourage their pupils away from such pressure and to think for themselves.

JennyZ

bee06 wrote: »

I think it's one of those "everyone else is doing it so I have to" things. I've been re-gifted many a face cream, candles etc over the years from teacher friends because of the sheer number of multiple gifts received.

Thanks I genuinely was just curious!!! public sector workers cant receive anything I know with teachers its all probably goodwill, but really surprised that schools dont have a policy in place so to prevent it so that parents dont feel under pressure.

Mountainsandh

JennyZ wrote: »

I'm genuinely curious, I don't have kids in school (I have nieces and nephews) but seriously why on earth would anyone even think of buying their kids teachers presents?? I'm in the civil service and nobody is allowed to accept gifts full stop.. I would have assumed it would be the same with the teachers that are public sector employees? Honestly, do working busy parents not have enough to be doing and thinking of besides having to also think about buying gifts for their kids teachers...

I never ever feel under pressure to get the kids' teachers anything. It's just something nice you do.
The kids have no notion that the teachers are civil servants and well paid. They have an actual relationship with this person that they spend so much time with all year.
If the teachers weren't too nice I wouldn't be bothered tbh, but in my children's tiny school, they're actually all lovely, and give so much of their time to do a good job, it is nice to show addreciation and have the children learn that we don't take deodle for granted (sorry my letter "d" as in "datrick" has just comdletly given ud the ghost on my keyboard) :D:D:

sillysocks

Myself and a few other mothers from my daughters classes decided this year to get together and put in ten eur each and buy a voucher with it. Just felt they must get so many mugs/candles/smelly creams etc, and it's hard to buy for someone you really don't know. I'd usually have ended up spending more than ten eur to get something so this way I spend a bit less and I'm sure the teacher will be more pleased so win win!

byhookorbycrook

JennyZ wrote: »

I'm laughing here now but are you actually being serious ...

Yes, I am, if you don't want feel you want to send a token of thanks, be it a card or other, then don't. It's not like we teachers compile a league table of parents who give gifts.

cazzer22

jinkybhoy wrote: »

Am I the only one that doesn't think they should get a gift? They are just about to get the guts of 3 months off - Is that not enough?

I coach kids all year round free of charge and have never got a gift when the season finishes..

I feel like i'm in the minority here - I know from my Kids class of 32 - We are the only parents that don't give them something!

Does anyone else not give gifts?

Cheers

Just to clarify it's not three months off, but eight weeks (most of which is spent planning for the next year, but that's for another day). We work with your children every single day for a year and sometimes we don't even get a thank you, which is what I would expect. A lovely card is always nice.

byhookorbycrook

sillysocks wrote: »

Myself and a few other mothers from my daughters classes decided this year to get together and put in ten eur each and buy a voucher with it. Just felt they must get so many mugs/candles/smelly creams etc, and it's hard to buy for someone you really don't know. I'd usually have ended up spending more than ten eur to get something so this way I spend a bit less and I'm sure the teacher will be more pleased so win win!

Sillysocks, I'd be absolutely mortified if I thought anyone was under pressure like that. Teachers really don' expect anything or "rank" gifts.

tosspot

JennyZ wrote: »

I'm genuinely curious, I don't have kids in school (I have nieces and nephews) but seriously why on earth would anyone even think of buying their kids teachers presents?? I'm in the civil service and nobody is allowed to accept gifts full stop.. I would have assumed it would be the same with the teachers that are public sector employees? Honestly, do working busy parents not have enough to be doing and thinking of besides having to also think about buying gifts for their kids teachers...

I think it's more for all the extra things teachers do throughout the year for the class; preparation for communion, confirmation, after school clubs, helping out with GAA, dancing, athletics, etc. Teachers do an awful lot of extra work and put a lot of their own personal time into these extra activities and I think parents appreciate this extra effort and like to give a small token to mark this.

JennyZ

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Yes, I am, if you don't want feel you want to send a token of thanks, be it a card or other, then don't. It's not like we teachers compile a league table of parents who give gifts.

Sorry I completely agree with you byhookorbycrook, and I deleted my last comment as had taken you up incorrectly!!!... Apologies again.

sillysocks

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Sillysocks, I'd be absolutely mortified if I thought anyone was under pressure like that. Teachers really don' expect anything or "rank" gifts.

But it was no pressure on anyone..... it's just a small group of friends who's children are in the same class. It just came up in conversation one day and everyone thought it was a great idea. In fact most of us thought it was less pressure to pick something out (esp on a budget). We didn't expect everyone in the class to contribute or anything!

the_pen_turner

a calendar counting down the days till they come back to work. put pics from the year of the kids and days out etc

JennyZ

tosspot wrote: »

I think it's more for all the extra things teachers do throughout the year for the class; preparation for communion, confirmation, after school clubs, helping out with GAA, dancing, athletics, etc. Teachers do an awful lot of extra work and put a lot of their own personal time into these extra activities and I think parents appreciate this extra effort and like to give a small token to mark this.

Thanks that makes sense.. I honestly would have thought that if teachers were staying back after hours for such things as above they may be getting paid for it... but fair play if they are not and doing if off their own bat.

John_Rambo

Whatsapp group - fiver or tenner each. Drop the note in an envelope marked with the teachers name to someones house, no names taken.

Done. Cheaper than something significant parents can afford individually and no pressure on parents can't afford it or have multiples of kids.

JennyZ

John_Rambo wrote: »

Whatsapp group - fiver or tenner each. Drop the note in an envelope marked with the teachers name to someones house, no names taken.

Done. Cheaper than something significant parents can afford individually and no pressure on parents can't afford it or have multiples of kids.

Haha that pretty cool. Good thinking.

byhookorbycrook

JennyZ wrote: »

Thanks that makes sense.. I honestly would have thought that if teachers were staying back after hours for such things as above they may be getting paid for it... but fair play if they are not and doing if off their own bat.

Primary teachers must do one extra hour a week of "Croke Park" time. This cannot be used for sacraments/hurling/football/camogie/soccer/basketball/matches/quizzes/open nights/choir and debating competitions/ school trips after hours/concerts/ before and after school supervision etc. So teachers end up doing all of those unpaid- and like other people with children often end up having to pay childminders for their own children so that these can happen.

wirelessdude01

JennyZ wrote:

Thanks that makes sense.. I honestly would have thought that if teachers were staying back after hours for such things as above they may be getting paid for it... but fair play if they are not and doing if off their own bat.

Really how out of touch with the modern world are you that you think any teacher gets paid for taking a team after school or gets paid for having to go to communion/confirmation ceremonies at the weekend.

Ghekko

Back to the op, I get a local coffee shop voucher. They'll get a lunch out of it.

JennyZ

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Really how out of touch with the modern world are you that you think any teacher gets paid for taking a team after school or gets paid for having to go to communion/confirmation ceremonies at the weekend.

Very out of touch apparently...as I said I'm a public sector worker myself, without kids so I did not know about the level of unpaid work and out of hours tasks you have to be involved in.Apologies.

byhookorbycrook

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Really how out of touch with the modern world are you that you think any teacher gets paid for taking a team after school or gets paid for having to go to communion/confirmation ceremonies at the weekend.

To be fair, how were they to know?Primary teachers don't generally accost people to tell them!!! The media likes to paint the image of greedy overpaid teachers and as a body, we tend to just ignore that and keep going.

In the last fortnight alone in our school, the staff did the following on their own time- 3 overnights in a Gaeltacht for the senior pupils, one overnight to a football tourament, several evenings working on the school garden, 180 standardised tests corrected and entered online per class, with the maths test taking 15 minutes per child to correct and then 10 minutes per child to input the answers to every single question in the maths test, school reports,a fun run, 2 nights of school concerts- 7 pm to 10 pm, Gaelic Football blitz 3-6 over two evenings, a staff meeting, sorted the Active School week and especially the sports day, writing new policies. book rental scheme for nearly 500 children, BOM meetings, reviews of in-class support programmes,meetings with new parents and children and heaven knows what else.

And that's not even touching on "ordinary" corrections, meeting with parents , graduation ceremony for the 6th class, their "educational passports " and meeting with various secondary school principals for "hand overs." I'm not posting this to look for sympathy, but so that people are aware that teachers don't work 9 to 3 and that we give of our time freely and without expection of "returns

spurious

The only presents I ever kept were cards with hand-written notes about a particular thing a child or parent was grateful for. Some of them are very sweet. There are not a great deal of plusses these days in teaching, but those cards were.

freshpopcorn

I think it depends on the teacher when you give a gift. I used generally give chocolates or maybe a little gift from a gift shop. People used give chocolates/wine/scratch cards/etc.
I used only give them to teachers who I liked tough.

freshpopcorn

JennyZ wrote: »

Thanks I genuinely was just curious!!! public sector workers cant receive anything I know with teachers its all probably goodwill, but really surprised that schools dont have a policy in place so to prevent it so that parents dont feel under pressure.

School often send out a note saying not to give gift but still people land in with them.

JennyZ wrote: »

I'm in the civil service and nobody is allowed to accept gifts full stop...

What happens if somebody leaves a gift on your desk?

JennyZ

Well the public don't get to leave presents on your desk.. they have to be rejected at the public counter. People are generally understanding, they know you're thankful for the thought but understand if you explain you can't take gifts.

freshpopcorn

JennyZ wrote: »

Well the public don't get to leave presents on your desk.. they have to be rejected at the public counter. People are generally understanding, they know you're thankful for the thought but understand if you explain you can't take gifts.

I was just wondering about this.
I know school tried to be strict on it and parents/kids used just leave things on the desk going out the door on the last day.

Jellybaby1

The best thing of course is a whip round from the whole class, which is what we used to do back in my prehistoric school days. It was different when our offspring were in school and every child brought in a present. I gave either a plant, or a picture frame. Another parent sent in a bottle of wine......sadly it never made it.........the lad dropped it on the way in. Quite dangerous in a schoolyard!

freshpopcorn

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Another parent sent in a bottle of wine......sadly it never made it.........the lad dropped it on the way in. Quite dangerous in a schoolyard!

I remember when I finished 6th class in 2005. A few people gave wine to the teacher and principal. A few days later a few of use were near the school and looked in the window and the classroom had empty bottles of wine and cups/glasses scattered around tables. I think they were glad to get rid of us.

Jellybaby1

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I remember when I finished 6th class in 2005. A few people gave wine to the teacher and principal. A few days later a few of use were near the school and looked in the window and the classroom had empty bottles of wine and cups/glasses scattered around tables. I think they were glad to get rid of us.

Bet they were delighted with the few bevvies!!

byhookorbycrook

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

The best thing of course is a whip round from the whole class, which is what we used to do back in my prehistoric school days. It was different when our offspring were in school and every child brought in a present. I gave either a plant, or a picture frame.

Please don't, you never know what financial pressure people are in and those who don't want to give some token should never be forced like that.

Mountainsandh

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Please don't, you never know what financial pressure people are in and those who don't want to give some token should never be forced like that.

dlus it's very imdersonal and doesn't really involve the child in the drocess, which is a bit of a dity imo.

(sorry. Can't take myself seriously tyding like that, going to have to do something about that "d" for "datrick")

the_syco

JennyZ wrote: »

Thanks I genuinely was just curious!!! public sector workers cant receive anything I know with teachers its all probably goodwill, but really surprised that schools dont have a policy in place so to prevent it so that parents dont feel under pressure.

I don't think many parents would two figs if it were banned; the majority would still give presents.

JennyZ wrote: »

People are generally understanding, they know you're thankful for the thought but understand if you explain you can't take gifts.

Or they'll wonder was their gift not good enough? Especially if it was bought only for the teacher? Could cause hurt.

Mountainsandh wrote: »

(sorry. Can't take myself seriously tyding like that, going to have to do something about that "d" for "datrick")

Hold down the button that says ALT, and type the numbers 80 on the number pad (on hte right of your keyboard) to get P or ALT and 112 to get (small) p.

Mountainsandh

the_syco wrote: »

Hold down the button that says ALT, and type the numbers 80 on the number pad (on hte right of your keyboard) to get P or ALT and 112 to get (small) p.

I applaud your pertinent, practical, and helpful input !!! :D thanks

Jellybaby1

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Please don't, you never know what financial pressure people are in and those who don't want to give some token should never be forced like that.

In our case we were approached with an envelope and parents (at that time) popped in a 50p or a pound or two (sadly, I am that old!). You are right, perhaps today it would be very different.

aisleseat

John_Rambo wrote: »

Whatsapp group - fiver or tenner each. Drop the note in an envelope marked with the teachers name to someones house, no names taken.

Done. Cheaper than something significant parents can afford individually and no pressure on parents can't afford it or have multiples of kids.

The mums in my class went for that approach. The whole "no pressure" thing however for the past few days we are getting an update of the amount collected ... again and again. So much so that now it is blatantly obvious that only one person hasn't contributed. The peer pressure continues whatever the age

sillysocks

aisleseat wrote: »

The mums in my class went for that approach. The whole "no pressure" thing however for the past few days we are getting an update of the amount collected ... again and again. So much so that now it is blatantly obvious that only one person hasn't contributed. The peer pressure continues whatever the age

That's crazy and very unfair. When I was organising ours I made sure to insist there was no pressure, I haven't sent any reminders and if people want to give me money I'm there every day. I wouldn't agree with it as a 'compulsory' contribution but as a very casual optional thing I think it's great for parents and teacher alike.

susign

jinkybhoy wrote:

Am I the only one that doesn't think they should get a gift? They are just about to get the guts of 3 months off - Is that not enough?

That sounds a little spiteful don't you think? The young student wants to show appreciation to a teacher as a gesture (not a high value item or pay the teacher's mortgage, just a simple friendly gesture). Why would you tell a child/student who they shouldn't give gifts to based on what the receiving person already has.

susign

MeAuldSegotia wrote:

As title said I'm stumped - Any suggestions? Don't want to do Choc, flowers, Toiletries or candles or any of those twee ornaments. I was thinking a voucher for Tesco or something useful like that? Any good ideas?

If you are able to bake (even something simple) the effort really shows alot. Even buying a simple cake if baking is not your thing. It doesn't cost a fortune but its thoughtful