Gifts Not To Give To Teachers and Why Part 2

Here's the second part of my posts about what not to give to teachers and why!



5. Artwork created by your child.

I don't mind if the child decides to give their hand made artwork. But as a parent- the teacher does not want your child's art work if *you* chose to give it to them. He or she is NOT your child's aunt or uncle or grandparent. What do you think the teacher is going to do with the collage? Stick it on their fridge?



6. Something that is just going to gather dust.

Is it something that you feel the teacher likes? Is it useable all year round, or really really awesome and seasonal?Do you mind if she uses it once this Christmas, and then gives it away? Or if the ornament is given to her child? If so, great! Carry on! If not... why are you giving it?




7. Chocolate
Bear with me!!
I'm NOT saying 'do not get him or her chocolate'. I love chocolate. Most people love chocolate. But if you're going for something unique, chocolate is not the way to go. It is fairly generic. (but tasty and generic!). Also your child's teacher will get about 10 boxes of it or more. Be aware also that many teachers are on diets, or are concerned about their weight. This may mean your chocolate is not eaten for a year (as she's rationing it out) like my mother does, or, it might be given away. Make sure that he or she doesn't have diabetes, and isn't allergic to nuts or other ingredients like that. But it will almost always be appreciated anyway, and as generic, default gifts go, it's one of the best. :)



8. BAD chocolate

This one isn't excusable!
Really cheap, gross tasting chocolate. It will not be eaten at all, and you have wasted your money and just made yourself look cheap and without taste, without care for the teacher. That said, no one is expecting $30 truffles. There is usually plenty of cheap, TASTY chocolate for sale in supermarkets. Even in GoLo there is quite nice chocolate for a lot less than usual.




9. Are you from a trustworthy family? If so, skip this part!

Home made food.

This is a touchy area. I LOVE home made food. Biscuits, cakes, awesome!
But ... foods that the *kids* made are often looked at with scepticism. Or foods made in dodgy households. My mother came home with cupcakes and said "Don't worry, they're safe, [student teacher] made them!". I've heard many teachers say that they don't eat food given to them by students or their parents, but I also know of many teachers who do, and love it. Mum often gets given sushi, or spring rolls, or cold rolls, or cakes, biscuits, etc, and if it's from a trustworthy family, she'll eat it.
Of course no one reading this will admit or realise they're from a dodgy family, so I guess, just try to present it so it looks nice, not mashed up or in a gladwrap ball, and is covered, and don't let the kids do it all themselves! And make sure hands are washed, pleeeaaaase.

More posts to come!


Disclaimer: Teachers like the sentiment, no matter what it is. This is simply supposed to be a guide about how to improve the gift giving for the teacher's end of it.