AS we head towards Christmas, parents will be preparing by heading out to stores to buy decorations, presents, and gift wrapping.
Also on their list will be end-of-year presents for their child's teacher.
However, this can often leave parents wondering if their gift is appropriate or sufficient, adding another stress to the festive season.
According to a Mumsnet survey, 45 per cent of parents buy gifts for their children's teachers at Christmas, despite many teachers not expecting presents.
Whether it's a bottle of wine, chocolates, or a 'my favourite teacher' mug, parents can be torn between what won’t be a waste of money.
But luckily, some teachers have set the record straight to make it easier for other parents.
One mum took to the Facebook group to ask for help.
She wrote: “If there are any teachers here that would be a massive bonus as my question is...
“What do you buy for a teacher for Xmas gifts (Women Teacher!)
“What do teachers like and don't like for Xmas presents please.
“Thankyou in advance xx.”
Many teachers raced to the comments section to share their thoughts.
“I would much prefer a card with a heartfelt message or something homemade than my class spending money on me honestly,” one teacher wrote.
A second commented: “Firstly, it is genuinely true that a card with a nice message is the most special thing (I keep all mine and read them when having a tough time to remind me of my 'why').
“That being said, if you do want to get a present, anything is really appreciated.
“I'm one of those odd teachers that loves mugs, candles etc that others say never to buy teachers (much to my husband's horror).
“I also had a lovely afternoon tea out at the weekend that some of my parents clubbed together and got me in the summer.
Some people don't but I struggle with mugs and keepsakes - I want to keep them but have no space
Teacher comment
“Teachers will really appreciate anything.”
And if any parent was pulling their hair out over whether or not a bottle of wine is appropriate to buy a teacher, these teachers have set the record straight.
One wrote: “Wine. Always wine.”
A second said: “Prosecco. You cannot tell me there’s a teacher who wouldn’t appreciate Prosecco.”
Whilst someone else also suggested similar, but warned against the presents to try and avoid.
She wrote: “Love a bottle of wine, bar of chocolate, biscuits, anything like that.
“Some people don't but I struggle with mugs and keepsakes - I want to keep them but have no space.
“I've got a husband and four kids so anything that can be eaten or drunk is fabulous.
I really don’t like mugs or anything personalised
Teacher comment
“Cards are lovely too, a nice message or nothing, it's all fine.”
A second also agreed and said: “I’d steer clear of mugs and that kind of thing - in the primary, they get a lot of that sort of thing. A card is more than enough.
“A card and some choc, decent. A wee voucher, even better. We usually do a whip round and get our primary teachers a bigger voucher (for Markies).”
Whilst someone else said: “I’m a teacher.
By the Secret Schoolteacher
I STARTED working in schools in 1996, when parents respected teachers and left us alone to do our jobs. Not any more.
Nowadays parents think nothing of barging into schools to read teachers the riot act if their precious child has been told off, or they’ll send angry emails in the middle of the night. Warning — it doesn’t make you popular.
I’ve worked in all manner of schools across the south west of England, from state schools to private, and I can tell you that right now many teachers are dreading the start of the new school year.
They’re braced for tears and tantrums, not just from their pupils but from their parents too.
Believe me, if you are an annoying parent it will spread round the staff room like wildfire.
So whether it’s your kid’s first day at a new school, or they’re moving up a year, these are the things you do that drive teachers crazy . . .
Parents often turn up at the school gates complaining how frazzled they are, moaning that teachers must have had a nice long holiday while their six weeks stuck with the kids was the worst.
Nothing could be further from the truth. For the first two weeks I’ll almost certainly have been struck down by a lurgy which always seems to strike on the first day of the holiday.
The next two weeks might have been an actual holiday, just like the average Brit takes in the summer, followed by two weeks of frantic lesson planning and administration.
Also, consider that I’ve probably been working over 50 hours per week during term time. Contrary to popular opinion, we don’t clock off at 3pm.
Instead, we’re roped into all manner of after-school activities and meetings before going home to do marking and more lesson planning. Please don’t turn up and make sarcastic remarks about our “six weeks off”.
We won’t be happy.
“I’m happy with a nice thank you note but I know some parents like to get something.
“Go with something useful! I like pens and stationery. Preferably pens that have green ink as that is the colour I mark in.
“I really don’t like mugs or anything personalised (I’m allergic to tea and coffee and the last personalised set I got had my name spelled wrong so I felt bad they’d spent money on it) but I did get a costa gift card last year that took me and hubby out for cake.
“Chocolate and wine is always welcome but again, these things cost money that parents don’t always have so a nice card or picture drawn by the child is lovely.”
However, for those who have allergies, then parents are urged to opt for a gift card.
A teacher explained: “I’d avoid drink and food because of allergies. I’m a teacher and while any gift is nice, I cannot use most of the gifts I get because of allergies!
“I’d prefer a gift card! Supermarkets, Boots, Amazon etc.”
IF you are wondering whether or not to buy your child's teacher an end-of-year gift, look no further...
As the summer holidays fast approach, Fabulous Senior Digital Writer and mum-of-two Sarah Bull weighs in on whether you should feel obliged to buy your kids' teachers a present to mark the end of term.
Sarah said: "It can be pricey trying to keep the kids entertained during six weeks off school.
"But before the end of term, parents all over the country are also trying to budget for gifts for their kids' teachers too.
"With teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists and other beloved staff members to buy for, it can be an expensive business.
"And while lots of schools actively discourage parents from spending their money on end-of-term presents for teachers, I consider it an obligation.
"After all - I know how tough my kids can be at home, and their teachers have to keep them in check for the majority of the day - so don't they deserve a token of appreciation?
"I also wouldn't want my children to feel left out when their friends arrive at school armed with pressies for their teachers.
"While some parents go all out with gifts, with alcohol and flowers popular choices, I'll be doing my best to stay at the £5 mark for each of the four staff members I'll be buying for.
"And with some fab options in stores like Poundland, Home Bargains and B&M, it should be easy for me to stick to my budget."
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