With the end of term approaching, now’s the time to say thanks to teachers for their hard work before their well-earned summer holidays. But what if you’re unsure what to buy them?
To help parents and students decide, celebration and gifting experts at Getting Personal spoke to a focus group of teachers to find out what they really want as an end of term gift, along with some dos and don’ts when gifting thank you teacher gifts. It led to some teachers revealing the not-so-great things they'd been given.
What not to do
Don’t eat the gift before giving it
Colette, a primary school teacher in the North West of England, said: “I was given an empty box of Heroes (complete with used wrappers). The little boy decided to open them and have a sneaky one in the toilets before handing it over - long story short he ate the entire box and my very real gift was a giant pool of vomit and a very poorly little boy!”
Think twice before regifting
“I’ve been given some left-field gifts from someone you don’t know that well, including a dress in the wrong dress size, a flashy beaded necklace and even a half-used tub of foot cream!,” Debbie, a primary school teaching assistant from Leeds explained.
Avoid toiletries
Julia, a primary school teaching assistant from Cumbria, said: “I have really sensitive skin so don’t love it when I’m given hand cream or other toiletries. I’d rather not receive body wash, bubble bath or moisturiser as I often can’t use the products and so they end up being regifted or given to the charity shop.”
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Being thoughtful doesn’t need to be costly
Julia added: “I’d hate to think that parents were spending lots of money on me at the end of term. School holidays can be a really expensive period for parents and teacher gifts are just an additional cost. A small thank you gesture is really appreciated but it doesn’t need to cost the world. A token like a thoughtfully written card or voucher is lovely.”
Avoid pictures of your child
Millie, a deputy headteacher from Leeds, said: “I once got a framed photo of a child which was a little bit odd - Iwasn’t sure what I was expected to do with it!?”
What you should do
Do make it personal
A total of 87% of the focus group referenced personalised gifts as some of their most loved presents with gifts such as “personalised cupcakes” and “personalised diaries” listed as some of their favourite presents.
Julia said: “Some of my favourite gifts have been the most thoughtful, personal ones."
Millie added: Personalised gifts are the best along with anything where thought has gone into it. For example, a child knew I loved chocolate so bought me a personalised box with all different types of chocolate in it."
Millie also explained that generic mainstream messages such as “thanks for letting me grow” and “number one teacher” are a bit of a gifting ick and she would always rather receive a thoughtful personalised message.
Take a note of their hobbies and interests
Julia said: “I love gardening and have received a few homegrown bunches of flowers picked by my children from their gardens, which were lovely. When parents remember my hobbies and get me a gift that reflects them I really appreciate it.”
A thoughtful gift and message means more
Secondary school teacher Olivia said: “Lots of my students can’t afford to buy me a gift, so even a note or something small at the end of the year makes it all feel worthwhile."
You can say a special thank you through a personalised card, including a thoughtful message that will make it extra memorable for your favourite teacher.
Pool your money together with other parents
Julia said: “I’ve noticed that in lots of classes parents are pooling their money together to get the teachers a voucher. This is really lovely and means that we are able to spend it on an experience. I’d hope this is costing parents less but it is still really appreciated by us teachers.”
Stationery is always appreciated
Collete said: “You can’t go wrong with a nice candle or some lovely stationery! Every teacher probably has a cupboard full of booze and choccies but is desperately searching for a nice handwriting pen!”
