This subject was a recent discussion on a daytime television programme; it got me thinking:
Teachers get paid for the amazing work that they do, so do they really need to be given presents at Christmas too?
I don’t remember giving presents to my teachers when I was a child, I don’t think it was the done thing then.
When I was working as a registered child minder many of the parents of the children I was caring for would bring gifts at Christmas to show their appreciation. Mostly I was given chocolates, so many to keep the family going all through Christmas and the new year, one parent gave some which were out of date; but it’s the thought that counts, I suppose!
I remember my husband (who has a sense of humour that not everyone understands or appreciates) asking the parents if we could have the cash instead next year!
Back to those teachers, I have heard that giving presents to a child’s teacher is almost becoming a competition to outdo one another as to whose child gives the best present, imagine how a child from a poorer family is gong to feel. Also parents who send their children to private schools are buying really expensive gifts, such as champagne and designer jewellery.
My feelings are why not give a nice card with a thank you message inside or even get your child to make a card?
I have a friend who works in a pre-school, usually one of the parents does a collection for all the staff and they buy a gift voucher to pay for a meal together. this is really appreciated by the staff , I also know that after agreeing to do this, 1 or 2 of the parents still send in additional presents, I’m not sure if this is showing appreciation, or showing off.
I would be interested to hear other peoples views on this topic.
As always questions, comments and topic suggestions are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
I think it’s always nice to receive a thank you gift for what ever reason as it’s going to be given in appreciation of someone who has gone the extra mile by kindness and caring. I agree with your comment that it could become a competition amongst some givers which defeats the object. As you said a thank you card is really nice also. Lovely seasonal blog ,well done .
As a teacher I always appreciate the things that the children make for me, the cards and pictures. I do know what you mean by it becoming a competition amongst some. But I think most parents now make a collection and buy 1 gift. I think that is sensible. It is nice to feel appreciated! #thesatsesh
I think it’s tricky, as it so easily becomes a competition. I think collecting for one present from everyone can work okay, but in the end, I don’t think it should be necessary to give anyone a gift to say thank you for doing your job. It’s nice in some ways, but the complications unfortunately outweigh the positives as I see it. Or maybe I’m just a bit of a Scrooge 😉 x
#thesatsesh
I don’t think it is being a Scrooge, down to personal choice, thanks for your feedback x
I give my childminder gifts and she gets gifts for the children as well, it’s not the same scale as a school teacher but you’re right, something thoughtful is bound to be better! I always gave thank you card when I was younger #PoCoLo
Thanks, Sarah, yes I always bought for the children I was minding too x
Funny, it never existed when I was going to school and I just think it is more about showing off by parents. I mean the y are already being paid to do their work!!! #thesatsesh
We have a class whatsapp group and will be buying a present from the class. We have contributed £3 each so it doesn’t break the bank. I think it is an okay compromise. You are right though, when I was at school I don’t remember buying my teacher a present. Times change I guess. Pen x #thesatsesh
I remember bringing an apple to school for my teachers in elementary but we never bought a present. I think a nice token of appreciation such as a treat is appropriate but I really don’t care if other parents give presents or not to the teachers. Not my business what they do with their money, I only care about what I do with my money and if I want to give a gift or not.
I’m a big fan of the thoughtful homemade items. My kids always baked something with hand written messages. #GlobalBlogging
I always spend too much on teacher /TA gifts but I need to think smaller this year as I have 4 to buy. I like to say thank you. I’m a teacher too and appreciate every gift I receive. I love cards when the parents have written a message of thanks too. However, I don’t think anything of not receiving gifts – Even a quiet wqord from a parent who is greatfulk is very appreciated.. Class gifts are a nice idea. I think looking from both points of view – teachers and school staff can feel very underappreciated by the media, many parents, employers and the government so it does make us feel like somebody cares and is happy with what we do.
#globalblogging
#thesatsesh I’m a teacher, feel a little biased therefore sharing my opinion (obvs going to anyway), I like the random thank you gifts in the year. Last year i got a bouquet from a pupil i taught years previously as she realised what id meant to her – best served with thought an spontaneity 🙂
I have never bought gifts for any of my kids’ teachers. We usually give a card, a personalised note and a box of chocolates x #AnythingGoes
I’m always amazed at the expense some parents go to at my daughters school. We generally just give a small token gift such as a candle or hand cream. #triumphanttales
Clear no from me I am afraid. They choose their profession. They get lots of holidays. They are paid and get way better terms and conditions than most. A letter saying what a difference they make would mean more anyway I think and certainly did when I sent one to my teacher many years ago. No idea why these days to appreciate anyone we have to give in to marketeers and include a commercial element. My brother teaches and his cupboards are full of unopened or unused gifts – daft! #TriumphantTales
I don’t bother to worry about what other people are giving, but we usually give something small, an ornament or box of chocolates, just as a token of appreciation. I can see both sides of it but hopefully the gesture is appreciated, teachers are a pretty large and important part of our kids lives, spending just as much, or more, time with them than we do #anythinggoes
My gorgeous other half is a teacher. He does get some presents, but they are mainly chocolates, which he tends to give away to the caretaker staff and others so it gets shared out. But I agree, it is never expected and we didn’t do it when I was at school. #BloggerClubUK
I guess I am different but I have worked as teacher for over 20 years and I can count on two hands the number of gifts I have received from students or their parents. Of course for the last ten years I have been teaching students that are locked up. For me, the only gift I care about in my students is that they do something decent with their lives. #ablogginggoodtime
I think its personal preference.
In my opinion I don’t think Teachers should be given Christmas presents out of habit. If my Daughter suggested something I’d consider it but I wouldn’t be the instigator. I believe in taking the time to say thanks if it’s warranted. I do encourage, but not force, my daughter to write a Christmas card though. #TriumphantTales
A teacher is a significant person in a child’s life, I think it’s perfectly appropriate to give a small gift at Christmas. But certainly not required I would think, especially if it becomes competition between parents.
#Blogstravaganza
We do handmade tree decorations for Christmas, it’s just a token of appreciation rather than a proper gist which we do at the end of term.
I personally disagree with it and think there should be a clear line of professionalism. I heard people spend up to £25 on teachers and it is just and just great way for shops to earn a few more quid out of it all X #Blogstravaganza
The saying ‘it’s the thought that counts’ comes to mind. I feel like if the intention is good then that’s all that matters. #Blogstravaganza
It’s lovely to say thank you, but a hand written note in a card can mean much more than an expensive gift. It’s also more memorable. #Blogstravaganza
I didn’t at L’s nursery we just gave a card with a nice note. It’s his first year of school and one mum has asked us to put £10 into a collection for the teacher. I’ve politely declined. I haven’t spent that much on some of my family this year! Instead we’ll be making cards and turning candy canes into reindeer, everyone can have one and I’m not broke! It should just be each to their own, no pressure, no judgment. #Blogstravaganza
we as parents team together and do a voucher we do the same for end of year too #Blogstravaganza!
I hate the pressure to buy something and I know the children would be upset if they hadn’t got something for their teacher so we always buy a little something (usually wine or chocolates). Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
I think it’s a nice way to say thank you. My parents were both teachers and I have friends who are teachers, and I know how hard they work to go over and above for the children in their class. I always bought my teachers little gifts when I was younger, and now I tend to club together with other parents and buy a voucher. Nobody is left out though, the voucher is passed over on behalf of the whole class regardless of who was able to put money in and how much different parents put towards it. It feels like a nice option that includes everyone. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with #Blogstravaganza – it made me chuckle that your husband suggested money 😉
I think that the voucher idea is great and thoughtful for the teacher and parents who maybe can’t afford, glad I made you smile, thanks for your feedback x
Oh, I hadn’t even considered a Christmas gift for Reuben’s teacher – he will write her a card out but that would be it. #Blogstravaganza
I remember wanting to take a present to a favourite teacher, and was shown mum’s Avon samples box to choose something, and feeling so proud to take it in. I’m sure it’s the thought, not the cost for most teachers. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
Our teachers are an important part of our kids’ lives and they don’t get appreciated by society for doing what they do. They are underpaid and have to spend their own money to supply their classrooms with the basic supplies (in many schools throughout the U.S.) so they can teach our kids. And yeah, that is tax deductible for them but they still shouldn’t have to do that. So buying them a small gift to show some appreciation, especially for a really good teacher who has left a major impact on my child, is the least I can do.
With that said though, I do think these gifts get a bit absurd and there is no reason for parents to make other parents feel inferior because they can’t afford a lavish gift. The problem I come across in my son’s school is that the class parent usually waits until the last possible second to ask for donations for a gift for the teacher.
It happened last year, the class parent literally waited until two days before Christmas to ask for this. I couldn’t chip in as I was broke by that time but there are many wealthy families in my town who were able to pull money together at the last minute. Must be nice. It definitely didn’t make me feel good that I couldn’t chip in anything. That part of it isn’t fair to those who can’t afford it. #ABloggingGoodTime
I’ve written a post on this very subject after a £10 minimum donation was introduced at our school – wrong on so many levels! #ablogginggoodtime
As a mom of kids in school, I think teachers are so deserving. I wish they had the salary of a pro athlete, the fandom of a movie star and I wish I had a ton of money to give at holiday time — they are teaching our kinder and building the foundation of our culture! #triumphanttales xoxo
Thank you Karen for linking up with us at the #BloggingGrandmothers End of the Year Link Party 2018! Party ends January 5, links are unlimited so feel free to add more!
Thanks, I will x