
There are many people who make a difference to our lives who we should thank. If you have a bin man who puts your wheelie bin back after emptying or if your postman tries to deliver your parcel more than once as he knows it's important to you but do you thank them? I hope you do say thank you to them when you see them but do you buy them a gift?
I raise this point as many parents are discussing what to give to their child's school teacher who is clearly another important person in their daily life. Knowing your child is safe, happy and learning is what most parents hope for and many parents want to find a way to thank the teacher. Yet this appears to be more about one-upmanship between parents than about real gratitude.
I raise this point as many parents are discussing what to give to their child's school teacher who is clearly another important person in their daily life. Knowing your child is safe, happy and learning is what most parents hope for and many parents want to find a way to thank the teacher. Yet this appears to be more about one-upmanship between parents than about real gratitude.

Teachers are obviously known for drinking tea and marking papers so a mug with the slogan 'Best Teacher' seems be a popular choice as is a 'nice' pen. Some families have gone to one of those ceramic cafes to paint a mug for the teacher and others are buying luxury toiletries as they feel a teacher who has put up with their child for a year needs a relaxing soak in the bath with fancy smellies. But once the comparing starts about who is buying what for the teacher it clearly becomes about giving the best gift and not about thanking.

Some classes will make all parents contribute to a joint gift which one bolshy mother decides upon and will guilt trip you if you dare not to put in towards it. I've heard about spa days being given and other extravagant gifts.
While many jobs require employees to declare all gifts received teachers do not have to tell anyone. As the gifts become larger it seems more like bribery and coercion than wanting to let them know how much you appreciate their teaching skills.
While many jobs require employees to declare all gifts received teachers do not have to tell anyone. As the gifts become larger it seems more like bribery and coercion than wanting to let them know how much you appreciate their teaching skills.

Wine for the Teacher
Gone are the days of an apple for teacher. Oh no, they want alcohol now. There is no subtlety in their desire for a bottle of red instead of another 20 mugs for the staff room. I have seen teachers opening declaring this is their preferred gift and friends of teachers saying how much they love visiting their teacher friends after the end of year gifts for the excess of wine and chocolates. Something feels very wrong to me about giving an infant school teacher alcohol. I'm not naive enough to think they don't drink but I don't think it's something 5 year old Johnny should be supplying.
I expect many teachers will be comparing the bottle given by each child and judging them for future years on their parents' poor choice of wine.
Gone are the days of an apple for teacher. Oh no, they want alcohol now. There is no subtlety in their desire for a bottle of red instead of another 20 mugs for the staff room. I have seen teachers opening declaring this is their preferred gift and friends of teachers saying how much they love visiting their teacher friends after the end of year gifts for the excess of wine and chocolates. Something feels very wrong to me about giving an infant school teacher alcohol. I'm not naive enough to think they don't drink but I don't think it's something 5 year old Johnny should be supplying.
I expect many teachers will be comparing the bottle given by each child and judging them for future years on their parents' poor choice of wine.
No Gift
I'm of the school of thought that we shouldn't give gifts but should write a thank you note. Yes, what an old-fashioned idea but as a former teacher it's the hand-written thank you cards from students that I've kept and buying gifts was simply wasting their money.
When my child left nursery she made a thank you card and then we made Elderflower Cordial together and she wrote a special label for the bottle. I think that's how you say thank you. You give something of yourself and not just a gift with monetary value.
And now how about thanking all those other service providers in your life. Will you be thanking the bin men this year? A gift for teacher is becoming like a tip for a waiter - something you give because you have to and not because you received good service.
I'm of the school of thought that we shouldn't give gifts but should write a thank you note. Yes, what an old-fashioned idea but as a former teacher it's the hand-written thank you cards from students that I've kept and buying gifts was simply wasting their money.
When my child left nursery she made a thank you card and then we made Elderflower Cordial together and she wrote a special label for the bottle. I think that's how you say thank you. You give something of yourself and not just a gift with monetary value.
And now how about thanking all those other service providers in your life. Will you be thanking the bin men this year? A gift for teacher is becoming like a tip for a waiter - something you give because you have to and not because you received good service.