School teachers- what are some gifts you LOVE receiving from students at Christmas time? Want to do up small gift baskets for my kids teachers this year and stuck on what to get. And what do I avoid? Thankyou
School teachers- what are some gifts you LOVE receiving from students at Christmas time? Want to do up small gift baskets for my kids teachers this year and stuck on what to get. And what do I avoid? Thankyou
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15 Replies
Vouchers are always appreciated. Really don't like physical gifts.
My mum is retired now but she love Christmas ornaments and decorations the most. She still reminisces about past students every year when she decorates
I really don't want a huge pressie, a christmassy gift or a box/bag/bar of chocolate is nice because its honestly the kids love that is the best. I get the biggest hug and proudest smile when they give it and it's lovely.
Do teachers actually keep hand made end of year cards that kids have made them?
Im not a collector, I dont store much at all even my own kids work, but I do appreciate it, put them up at school/home and put them away in recycling or craft box after Christmas. If its a really big effort I'll laminate and stick to something I use so it lasts longer.
I have the cards. I don’t have the space.
Honestly a lot of gifts got regifted. I don’t expect parents to know wether I drink red or white wine or wether I’m on a diet or have allergies or even if I own a bath or not.
Mine do too, but its the time of year where you need to bring something or pop something open for guests, so it all gets used, shared and appreciated.
Gift vouchers or a nice letter is fine.
I have a friend who's a teachers aide at a specialised school.
Every Christmas she ends up with at least 4 or 5 bottles of wine from parents. She doesn't drink and is far too polite to tell them she doesn't feel uncomfortable receiving alcohol as a gift, so I'd most definitely avoid that!
She also ends up with a lot of cheap Christmas themed mugs, probably another thing to avoid.
She absolutely loves home baked treats because her students just beam with pride when they give them to her.
She also received a stunning planner and a pack of beautiful pens that I know she loved as well.
Don't buy wine, or other types of alcohol, unless you know that person really well. I would also put into that category any type of bath bomb, bath or shower product or skincare product unless you know the person likes them and uses them. I'm not a teacher but I have been on the receiving end of a number of these things and I HATE it. I'm allergic to a lot of ingredients in a lot of these popular products, and sensitive to a lot of scents. I feel terrible when I receive something that I can't use. Also in this category, coffee mugs, chocolates or other foods.
If doing up a gift basket, I know a lot of teachers enjoy getting stationery (they have to supply a lot of their own), handmade Christmas decorations from the kids, vouchers for Officeworks or local or online bookstores.
The last couple of years we have organised a collection in our class and ended up with enough to buy the class teacher a very generous gift voucher for a local bookshop which has always gone down a treat!
I'm a primary school teacher and love anything I would usually buy throughout the year with my own money e.g. stationary, pens, stickers, diary. Anything personalised or handmade is also great! Most teachers will be grateful for anything though :)
Former teachers aide.
I loved the cards the most. They are easy to store in a box and bring back the most memories.
I also prefer something that’s not too personal. At least that way if I can’t eat it, drink it or use it, it can be regifted.
Please don’t spend decent money on a gift. It’s gotten so out of hand, and it’s kind of embarrassing when a parent does it. It’s time for parents to calm down on the gifts. If you’ve treated me with respect through out the year, that’s all I want.
I agree. I've seen parents at our school give more and more extravagant gifts each year. Last year my kid's teacher received a massive hamper full of high end goods (it would have cost $100 at least), sterling silver jewellery and other stuff along those lines.
In my line of work, I wouldn't be allowed to even accept gifts like that and I'd feel very uncomfortable receiving them too.
I don't do gifts for teachers at all, I do give a nice Christmas card with my sincere gratitude so I'm glad to know that's appreciated.
I also give a card and a small pack of chocs, theyre $2 at christmas. I know teachers dont expect anything but its a token and my kids get to give which they love.
We managed to contact all of the parents in the class and set up a group message. Got everyone to put in an anonymous $ amount they were comfortable with and can afford (1 person the organizer was the only person who knew what they put in anywhere from $10-$50) and put that towards a prepaid visa gift card for them to spend where they wanted, a card and a lovely bunch of flowers... It ended up being a substantial gift that really made a difference and much better than a whole class getting them lots of small things. Of course it was up to each individual family if they wanted to participate. Good luck