I always did but kept it at something small. A good idea is to buy little cheap decorative pots and plant them out with a succulent. Plant the succulent cuttings out now ready for next year and they will be large and look much better. I am sure the teachers appreciate heartfelt cards and drawings just as much.

I might be a grump, but I have never really bothered with gifts for teachers unless my kids have specifically asked to, there has been the occasional special teacher there. I think $10 is a fine amount if you can manage it. A nice small plant can sometimes be purchased on Facebook marketplace for this amount.

I always struggle with what is the best thing to do as I want to give gifts but at the same time it’s always at the end of year when the budget is getting really quite tight. So we’ve started just doing something small usually that my daughter helps either make or bake that way its a little bit more personal and doesn’t cost a fortune.

I think it’s all about the gesture. For a staff members birthday just passed at my son’s day care I brought in a box of chocolates. Its not much, but she seemed touched my it and I just wanted her to know we thought of her. And any excuse to indulge a little

It depends on the child and the teacher, really. If a teacher was really horrible to my child, it’s hard to justify the child being involved in giving a Christmas present to someone who’s pretty much on the naughty list, ha ha ha. Also, it is essentially rewarding bad behaviour. However, if the kids suggested they wanted to give their teacher a present it was usually something cheap and usually homemade, with the child’s involvement. In the past, we have bulk made homemade cards and really pretty little material bags with draw strings are usually cheap at dollar/smart stores. They are good for putting homemade things in, or even chocolates or lollies. I’m the type of person who gets ready/buys for Christmas very early, mostly due to the fact I grab things whilst they are on a good special. It’s not uncommon to find even Cadbury tins and boxes for 1/2 price leading up to Christmas. It is like another mum said here, and even a former teacher, it’s usually the thought that counts. Whatever you do, though, don’t spend a lot and make a big show of what you/your child is gifting a teacher or anyone else for that matter. It’s upsetting for the children and families who don’t have a similar amount of spare savings to spend that much. I know it’s goon on you and sucks to be them, but kids don’t see it that way.

I love getting my daughters to make a craft or Lego project personalised to the individual, like a soccer theme for a coach or a favourite flower of a teacher. Most people appreciate gifts that come from the kids own heart but if you want to buy something try finding out their favourite chocolates, lollies or even animal. Gifts with thought really do mean a lot as it comes from your heart.

It is about the gesture really ! I remember one year I gave the teachers a box of fresh eggs from our back yard chickens 😉 One year I crocheted stars ( two stars per star) and stiffened them in sugar water giving them shape on a mould/form I made from clay, putting them together to hang in the tree. Another year I gave a personalised Christmas tree bulb with a photo of m child with the teacher in it.

We do! Because of how much my kids love their teachers and how much they love school as a result of it. We dont put a money or amount to a gift, just what we feel is right for them personally. Last year we had personalised Christmas cookies made as a gift pack with some macarons they could enjoy. I figured they all receive enough chocolates from everyone else

Ex-teacher here – *please* don’t spend your money on us! The gifts I have treasured the most over the years are hand drawn and written cards with personalised messages. I look back over them from time to time, some are 25 years old and they still make me smile. Without sounding ungrateful I really cant remember more than 2 presents I was ever given, and they were extremely specific but very lucky hits (a mug with an unusual shape that is really nice to drink out of – very random!). I have moved from country to country many times, the cards come with me. Really save your pennies.

Last year we gave crackers, fruit paste and cheese to create a little cheese platter. It was well received by all the teachers. I think I’ll do something similar again this year.

Yes we do give something and try to keep it low prices as it is about the gesture. Also my youngest has a disability so not only do I give something to her classroom teacher, also to her Inclusion teacher and TA’s, so that adds up. I’ve given a couple of times a small plant in a cute pot with as homemade card with a photo of my daughter saying “thank you for help my child grow”. Last year I did some Christmas mugs with Christmas tea in it for the TA’s and a QBD books gift voucher for the teachers.

If a gift is given; it really is important to keep all gift giving to a minimum because so many places have a code of conduct and staff may need to declare receiving gifts over a certain value. Keeping the value low is also a good idea for relieving the pressure for many people on the financial budget.

I get small gifts, never more than $20 value. But because I know I’ll do this, I keep an eye out all year round, and can often get some really nice things on sale earlier in the year. I choose things like coasters, tea infusers, mindfulness coloring books, or fancy tea.

So great to hear all your different answers! I agree it’s so expensive! I definitely think if you are going to get gifts you should organise it as early as possible so that you can save as much as possible. I love the coffee voucher idea! And the flowers are so cute! I wish I could make something like that! Bon bons are amazing ideas! I also love the gift for all! That’s such a great idea! I could just get a platter of some kind and gift it to the staff room! Thanks everyone

We stopped giving gifts many years ago and only go with a personalised card. The end of the year is busy and also expensive for many people and families. We do everything we can to keep costs down and this includes gift giving. A personalised card with thoughtful words is a nice keepsake.

Coffee vouchers close to the centre/ school is usually a hit.

I got the educators a bottle of bubbles each last year. Or a hand craft item like a Christmas ball ball and your kids decorate it for them

My child’s school has a limit in which you can spend on teacher gifts which I think is a great idea as some families can’t afford a lot. I tend to spend no more than $15-$20 on teacher gifts. Last year I bought these really cute knitted flowers off Etsy that had a cute card saying thank you for helping me grow. This year I have bought some fun Christmas bon bon wrappers that I am going to fill with something – just not sure what yet.

I was just thinking of this during the week, as it’s the first time my toddler is in daycare. I think I’ll either get some chocolate or some baked goods for everyone at the centre to share. It’s hard to give something that will be useful and gift cards for everyone would end up expensive.