Gifts for teachers?

no one said you have to do it, i don’t think you need to be so negative around it. no one is going to think badly of you if you don’t, but some people, who can afford to, just like to give them a little thank you gift for teaching their little ones. same way you get christmas bonuses at your jobs x

My favorite gifts are usually the handmade cards and notes, that did not cost any money. I keep them and look back at them when I need a mental boost. If you can’t or don’t want to get a gift that is always fine, they are not required lol. It’s really not about “doing the job I’m paid to.” Every teacher I have ever known does wayyy more than the job they are paid to.

@Ellie-May I agree! My mum got a small gift for my little sisters reception teacher as my sister struggled with her educational development and was showing signs of speech and learning difficulties, and her reception teacher really helped her through her first year of primary school! I feel there’s many reasons why people gift teachers, and it’s not for everyone, but I don’t think parents who do should be looked at differently☺️

Lmao a gift is never mandatory, but having this attitude for the people that watch and educate all of these snotty nosed little people is so unnecessary. They deserve some praise. As do most other people who have jobs. Maybe your funky personality is why you don’t get gifts for doing your job 🧐

@chantelle exactly🥰 i was working in a SEN school for a year - pre pregnancy and plan on going back when it’s right for me and my baby as i’m going to be a single mum - and it just felt so nice to be acknowledged by the parents. we know we are appreciated, especially in SEN settings, but sometimes it’s nice to be explicitly told that. especially in a job which is so physically and mentally draining sometimes! and we are definitely not getting compensated enough in the wages i promise you that😂 some of my favourite presents were handmade by the children, so they didn’t cost parents a thing! we don’t look down on anyone who doesn’t, as we know situations are different, but it does feel lovely to get some recognition - even in the form of just a card from parents with a little thankyou note. it doesn’t have to be extravagant!❤️

Also the teachers and staff literally spend more time with your children than you do

@Ellie-May I agree. Even a verbal, “thank you, you’ve been helpful” makes my day.

@Dana 🦅♥️🤍💙 exactly, it’s about the acknowledgment not the price❤️

You don’t have to 😭😭

Then don’t do it

Ooooft this gives “I don’t tip waiters, it’s their job”

I mean, you don't have to. Former teacher, and I never expected it but always appreciated it and I still have most of the gifts my former students gave me because it meant a lot to be appreciated. On that note, since we're expected to mother our children, since it's our "job" in a sense, and we chose to do it, we can forego Mother's Day gifts 🤷‍♀️ Father's Day can be skipped, etc. Since we don't give gifts to people for just doing their job...since we don't show people appreciation for their time and efforts...😜 Like I said, you don't have to. Your kids teacher doesn't expect it at all. But this attitude that because it's their job I don't have to appreciate them can creep into many aspects of life.

I do it mainly because I cannot even fathom the amount of patience it takes to work with like 20 small kids every day 😅 it honestly takes a special person and teachers are underpaid as it is so if a 2 dollar card with a chocolate bar or a Christmas candle makes them feel appreciated ima do that. I also selfishly want to be in the good graces of anyone who’s dealing with my kids in case it makes my kids experience even a fraction of a percent better

@Ellie-May not everyone gets Christmas bonuses and I agree no one says you have to do it, but I feel there is an awful lot of pressure to do it

@chantelle I’m not looking at anyone differently but I am feeling the pressure of needing to buy something I cannot afford. I do agree though in the specific circumstances you have mentioned it is a nice gesture

@Monét lmao right back at you! I never said it was mandatory or that they don’t deserve praise, but for people who are struggling with the cost of living this is an extra pressure when you see other parents doing it. And look it’s their choice that they want to work with, as you so nicely put it “these snotty nosed little people” lol I actually don’t know any other job that gets gifts like this from customers, lots of jobs even ban it under anti-bribery policies and no public services jobs get bonuses that I’m aware of and that’s nothing to do with personality…

No but I wish I could. You could bake them something if you’re good at that.

@Grace well a lot of people don’t agree with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day these days either as it’s been very commercialised but I do find this a weird comparison. Anyway I never once said I don’t appreciate them I just find the pressure of gifts unnecessary. I don’t think the pressure comes from the teachers either but sometimes other parents trying to compete with each other.

@Cotswoldmama I tip waiters when they do a good job.

I feel my post triggered a lot of people but I’ve enjoyed reading your comments and responding this morning 😂

Actually my old work we were given chocolates. It’s not expected. I have two sen children. My son has very challenging behaviour and they definitely deserve something. It is expensive as I have 8 people to buy for however I tend to get biscuits or sweets.

I work in a secondary school in a deprived area so rarely get anything or expect anything but if I do it means the world, I’ve kept every Christmas card I’ve ever received from the children 😊

I used to be a dog walker and the clients used to tip us during holidays. Nannies, bus drivers, handymen etc all receive gifts. It’s not because of the job or exclusive to teachers. And your post started with “am I the only one who would never do this,” not “this is an extra pressure on people who are struggling with the cost of living” just saying

Then get a piece of paper and a pen, have them make a pretty picture and write a little thankyou note, i promise they will appreciate it more xx

I’m very surprised at the result considering 90% of parents at every nursery and school my son has been to do get gifts and cards. Is it more of a UK thing to gift? Like others have said it doesn’t have to be pricey, I usually get biscuits for them. I can’t afford a lot, but I do think my sons teachers deserve a gesture of some sort. I can see why you’d feel pressured to though, but I wouldn’t personally judge anyone that couldn’t gift.

@Lucy no it’s not a UK thing

@Monét but if you read my whole post which is very short you will see I cannot afford to buy for my own family and friends so I think that’s pretty self explanatory regarding extra financial struggles, just saying 🤷🏼‍♀️

Yea I totally understand your side of feeling pressure but honestly the teachers won’t be expecting anything from you, and as others have said, even handmade gifts from the children are deeply appreciated and can show them some praise without you needing to spend money on something you cannot afford. Honestly my comment wasn’t specifically directed just at you as I know there are a lot of people in the world who think parents that gift the teachers are weird or wasting their time and I didn’t mean any negativity towards you from my comment. Try not to feel pressured to buy gifts as it’s not expected of you at all and if you really feel like you need to get them something, then maybe get your child/children to create something for their teacher, like a little card out of paper or even just a thank you note.☺️🤍