I’m afraid this is going to be a bit of a ranty one. And it might get me alienated at the school gates.
It involves Christmas, teachers and why I won’t be contributing to the teacher’s Christmas gift collection.
I’m not sure exactly when Christmas gifts for teachers became a Thing – I certainly don’t remember giving any of my teachers presents at Christmas – but if you’ve got a child at school you’ll know they’re a huge Thing now.
Google ‘teachers Christmas gifts’ and you’re met with a plethora of gift ideas from personalised tote bags and pencil cases to wine glasses and jewellery. A school in Oxfordshire has even introduced a £50 cap for teacher presents at Christmas because gifts were getting so extravagant. I’m sorry but £50? Have we gone stark raving mad?
Some of the mums at our school organise a collection which is spent on vouchers for our teacher and teaching assistant at Christmas. Fair enough, you’re probably thinking. This year, though, there’s a ‘suggested’ minimum contribution of £10 per child. And I won’t lie, I was shocked.
Why I won’t be contributing to the teacher’s Christmas gift collection
To start with, £10 means different things to different people. What might be a new lipstick to some is a week’s worth of school lunches to others, and I’m sorry but to put pressure on parents to contribute a set amount is wrong on so many levels (and perish the thought of anyone feeling compelled to contribute more than the suggested £10 minimum contribution).
I’ve only got one at school but one day I’ll have all three and there are enough school-related costs to factor in at Christmas as it is: nativity play costumes, tombola prizes and entry to Christmas fayres – the list goes on and on.
But what really gets my goat is the fact there are 30 children in the class, so if everyone were to contribute £10 on behalf of their child that’s £300 – £150 for the teacher and £150 for the teaching assistant. At Christmas – not even the end of the school year. I just think that’s excessive. And where will it end? Valentine’s Day and Easter presents too?
So, I won’t be contributing to the teacher’s Christmas gift collection on principle. I think we risk setting a dangerous precedent and I think we all need to take a step back and remember the real meaning of Christmas.
Like a Christmas card from a little girl wishing her teacher a Merry Christmas in words she didn’t know how to write a year ago. Which is what we’ll be giving this Christmas. Surely that’s worth more than an Amazon gift card.
What do you think? Am I being a scrooge and overreacting? Where do you stand on teacher’s gifts at Christmas? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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End of school year gifts for teachers are fine but Christmas gifts, no way!
£10 is a lot of money to me and if a teacher got £10 from each child that’s far too much.
You are right that a card written by a child would mean so much more. #MMBC
As some one who’s worked in a playgroup and been the recipient of gifts at Christmas, the handmade cards are truly lovely, and I still have a mug from 3 years ago that came with hot chocolate sachets, biscuits & marshmallows from a little girl x
We used to give homemade gifts and cards. Did contribute a couple of times to class presents. There is definite pressure to do so, although never had a minimum amount requested. That does seem a step too far. I’m guessing this is more of a primary school thing, as teacher gifts don’t seem a thing at secondary and I’ve never had a request for a contribution. #MMBC
That is a lot of money. I wouldn’t do it either, I am against giving teachers presents and think there should be boundaries made X #mmbc
Well said. I have three school age children and when they were in primary school I did give gifts, but seriously, nothing costs more than £5. Most years I made them gifts, we had boxes of cupcakes, bags of fudge and in the last year I crocheted some little Christmas puddings and put a chocolate orange in them. Two of my kids are in Secondary school now and teacher’s no longer get gifts. The Little Man has just started a new school so I barely know his teacher, but I may send in a bar of chocolate or something… £10-£50 though…no way!
#itsOk #MMBC
I think most teachers deserve a gift – I think what they have to put up with is atrocious so if they last out the school year, they’ve definitely earned it. I like the class collection but I think you should be able to put in whatever you like – as you say, $10 means different things to different people and no pressure should be put on that. Also, if you have 4 kids, that’s $40. For us xmas is the end of the school year. I think only one gift at the end of the year is required (deserved?). Over the years (13 school and counting) when the teacher has been exceptional (and there’s been a few amazing ones), I’ve either done my own thing (a big pressie solo) or done the group thing and then also given them a good bottle of wine on top. However, I think you can also abstain and not worry about it too. #Dreamteam
I think it’s a South East thing. Mine used to bake a tray of cakes or sweets with me and hand them out to teachers with little messages. It’s all about the thought not the money. #DreamTeam
A lot of jobs say in their guide books that the employed staff aren’t to receive things why should the teaching staff be any different? #MMBC
I do think we have a tendency to over gift as a society, like we want to win a giving award. But the pressure it puts on us is too much. I say stop the gift giving and do other things to make people feel your appreciation. I loved when parents used to come help me with an activity – art was my nemesis so have someone else help with painting was always a favorite of mine. #DreamTeam
Don’t try to make out that every teacher receives a sack of amazing gifts each Christmas just so that you can get a bit more traffic for your website. The majority of teachers don’t get a ‘£50’ present, a story that was blown out of proportion by the media, Facebook and lazy bloggers. Most teachers will no doubt receive the usual recycled gifts, like out of date Maltesers or smelly gifts that mum doesn’t want. Please do the already under pressure staff a favour and don’t bother.