I'm a mum & I was torn to pieces over the gift I gave my kid's teacher – people called me cheap but it's not about money
Advertisement
2
Heidi Powell shared the gifts she got the teachers to thank them
Credit: Instagram
2
But not everyone was thrilled with her gift
Credit: Supplied
But the clip has recently resurfaced after being filmed three years ago as parents seek out ideas for
It has become common for parents to buy gifts for teachers as a thank you for all they've done.
But it seems Heidi's gifts didn't hit the mark.
Taking to Instagram, she shared an image of the goodies she got for the teachers.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON PARENTING
In the image, it showed three wrapped sweets all themed around school.
The first was a sugar cookie iced to look like a sheet of paper with an 'A' grade.
She also picked up a sweet shaped as a pencil as well as a red
apple
.
But her sweet gesture received an overwhelming negative response.
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
Exclusive
One person said 'this irritates me to no end' and urged parents 'don't give teachers s**t like this' as they thought that cash or gift cards was a more appropriate reward.
Someone else said the post had them 'riled up' because they'd once been the person who had agonised over a 'perfect, most thoughtful end-of-year gift'.
Watch as ex-teacher reveals why she quit and doubled her income
They said they now look to see if the school has an Amazon Wish List of supplies to really help teachers out and spare them from needing to fork over their own money.
Another parent said the best sort of gift was 'a thoughtful note from the student', and if it was going to be something material, it had better be a gift card or cash.
Advertisement
Others said they thought Powell's gift of brightly coloured sweets had been chosen to 'look
nice
on Instagram'.
A baker even chipped in to say that the 'cutesy sweets offerings' might look nice, but were probably not great to eat, saying they were pretty much 'inedible' and coated in 'a really cheap sugar product that can hold a lot of dye'.
Quite a few teachers chipped in to say that food would probably end up being thrown away or deposited in the teacher's lounge and they said 'please no mugs' to parents or pupils on the lookout for gift ideas.
Despite the negative comments, the mum praised teachers for their hard work over the year, proving it was the thought that counts.
Advertisement
Teacher Gift Ideas
IF you're stuck for ideas on what to give your teacher for Christmas, here's some ideas...
Personalised Stationery
: A set of notecards or a planner with their name on it.
Gift Vouchers
: For popular bookshops, coffee shops, or online retailers.
Handwritten Thank You Note
: A heartfelt message from you or your child expressing gratitude.
Classroom Supplies
: High-quality pens, markers, or a decorative organiser.
Homemade Treats
: A batch of cookies, a cake, or a jar of homemade jam.
Potted Plant
: A small plant for their desk or classroom window.
Relaxation Kit
: Include items like a scented candle, bath salts, and a cosy blanket.
Books
: A bestseller or a classic, depending on their taste.
Customised Mug
: With a funny or inspirational quote related to teaching.
Experience Day
: A voucher for an afternoon tea, a local event, or a workshop.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Saturday with hairstylist Michael Douglas: 'Davina has been a big inspiration and influence'
07.30 Even on weekends I get up at around 7.30am or 8am – I can't help it. The first thing I do is look at my phone. For work, mostly, but also to see if anyone has sent me something funny. If we have posted something on Friday @mdlondon on Instagram I'll check the comments and get back to any questions. People think that I have someone do all my social media but I do about 75% of the replies myself and often send people video messages as it's easier than typing. 08.00 I eat breakfast four times a week and fast on the other days. On a Saturday I'll relax outdoors with my first coffee of the day and then work out on an empty stomach. I'll usually try to get in a 5km run, some kind of yoga or stretching and weight training. 09.00 After my workout I'll have a breakfast of a mackerel fillet, two eggs and another coffee. As I've gotten older I've become more keen on looking after myself. I haven't eaten a McDonald's for two years and I loved a Big Mac! I'm just trying to be realistic about my body and what's good for it. I'm slowly dying – I think that's a good way to look at it. I'd like to be as fit and healthy as possible until the final minute. Davina [McCall, wife] has been a big inspiration and influence. She's a very healthy eater and I really wanted to sync up our lives so that we were both eating similar things. 10.00 I'll call my mum and brother and do a few chores – I love a bit of DIY around the house. 12.30 I'll have a a piece of salmon and some salad and drink plenty of water. I'll head into Tunbridge Wells, have a little mooch around and pick up any bits and pieces we need. I'll play a bit of piano. I began learning it when I was about 30. I'm not particularly good at it but I really enjoy it. If we have a party I'll often play for people – it gives me the motivation to learn new songs and to learn to play better. I do a lot of talking all week with work so I enjoy not talking much at the weekend. We live near a woodland so we always go walking at the weekend. It's becoming more important as we get older to appreciate the majesty of nature, plants and animals. 15.00 Mid-afternoon we'll usually have some mates over. We'll open a bottle of red wine or rosé and enjoy a bit of a catch up. We don't usually do much visiting – friends and family tend to come to ours. We also love our own company, and, as work is already very sociable, my social battery can run down a bit so having time to myself is a real treat. 17.00 In the early evening the kids might come around to visit, well, they're not really kids anymore – they're 19 and 21. We'll have a bite to eat together at home. I might make a risotto with mushrooms and chicken and whatever else is in the fridge. I eat out a lot during the week. We love Pho and I also love the spaghetti alle vongole at Randall & Aubin in Soho – it's my favourite meal. 19.00 At around 7pm we will usually stick on a movie to watch. An ideal Saturday would be spent in Ibiza. Over the past five years we have met new friends who have homes there and have created some fantastic memories and experiences there. We both love dancing, we'll dance anywhere really, but Pikes is a fab place as is the night of ELROW at UNVRS. We love it when one of our friends hosts a party at their house and books a DJ – our favourite is GALLiVANTER. We love meeting people out and about but dancing with just your mates sometimes feels more free. 21.00 Generally, I like to keep things low-key on the weekends because mid-week is always so busy for me. Mid-week I'm busy with making content, seeing clients, seeing my kids, going out for dinner with various people that might be important to me and my business. Generally keeping the machine of life moving forwards and upwards. The networking part of my job mid-week is pretty relentless – keeping people engaged with the business is what makes it tick so sometimes it's really fine and sometimes it's quite hard work. I take the rough with the smooth. If I'm going out on Saturday night, I love to go to a gig. All my partying is done mid-week so the weekends are generally about recovering. Celebrity hairstylist and OGX brand ambassador Michael Douglas recently visited Dublin to launch the brand's newest haircare range Rescue Fusions. The new OGX Rescue Fusions range is designed to revive stressed hair and includes a Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo and Conditioner as well as targeted treatments including a pre-shampoo and an overnight mask formulated to strengthen, hydrate and protect your hair without weighing it down.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm over 40 and tried bargain €12 dress from Dunnes Stores for day out – here's how I styled it
A DUNNES Stores shopper has shared a look at a stunning dress she found in store - and it's perfect for keeping cool all summer long. The retailer has been releasing a range of must-have summer items in recent weeks. Advertisement 3 A fashion fan shared a look at the sleek summer dress Credit: theconfidenceandstyleceo/Instagram 3 The Jersey Ribbed Midi Dress is €12 Credit: DUNNES STORES And now, one Instagram user Deirdre Treanor, who posts under the username @ The midi dress is perfect for a range of events, and is super versatile for Advertisement READ MORE IN DUNNES STORES In the caption of the post, Deirdre wrote: "Sharing the before and after of the €12 dress from The dress she is wearing is the Jersey Ribbed Midi Dress, which retails for €12. Shoppers can snap up the dress in three colours - black, red and stone. It comes in sizes XXS to XXL, though the biggest size is sold out online. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous To style it up, Deirdre added a light blue denim jacket along with a range of accessories. She added a thick black belt with a golden buckle, a black handbag and some white runners for a pop of colour. Dunnes Stores fans go wild for new summer dresses The style lover then added some jewelry to finish her look. In the official item description on the Dunnes Stores website, Advertisement They said: "This sleeveless ribbed dress is cut to a flattering, form-fitting silhouette that falls to a midi length. "The stretch fabric hugs the body comfortably, making it perfect for both casual days and dressed-up evenings." Shoppers could The Savida Leopard Jacket is available in stores and online now. Advertisement It is priced at just €40 and comes in sizes XXS to XXL. The retailer said: "A trend-forward outer layer choice, this leopard print barn jacket is cut to a relaxed, boxy fit and features an over-sized corduroy collar. "It is designed with a button-through front and over-sized patch pockets. "Gallery is available exclusively at Advertisement Or opt for a pair of high heels for an evening event to dress it up even further. 3 The dress is available online and in stores now Credit: Garrett White THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit. Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland's first 'shopping frenzy'. During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne's 'Better Value' bargains. Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 - starting with apples and oranges. The retailer said: "Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town. "Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong. "Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas." The retailer's first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960. They added: "In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed. "Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England." Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Strictly star slams ‘manipulative' TV industry after quitting fame for OnlyFans – and reveals family member's jibe
A FORMER Strictly star has branded the TV industry as 'manipulative' after quitting fame for OnlyFans. Advertisement 4 TV star John Whaite has competed in Strictly and Great British Bake Off Credit: PA 4 He danced with Johannes Radebe on Strictly Credit: PA 4 The star returned to OnlyFans earlier this year Credit: Instagram The 36-year-old later competed on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing as runner-up behind Speaking to The baker and presenter said: "I think the deeper conversation here is about welfare generally within the TV industry. I think that is still very much an elusive beast. "As soon as Strictly finishes, it's like, get out the hotel, get out the flat, go home, but that is a life- altering event for the individual who's been subject to the headlines, often at the hand of these shows, because these shows sometimes feed stories to the media. Advertisement Read more on Strictly "TV is manipulative and it's a distortion of truth, there's always an ulterior motive. "People aren't being fed the unadulterated, objective truth. And I certainly don't subscribe to that." Continuing, John recounted how he was "around 23" during his time on Bake Off. He recalled thinking his "existence hinged on being successful in television ." Advertisement Most read in News TV John added: "But I think when you go through all these different permutations of your life, you start to realise that the b******t just does not matter. "What actually matters is your health , your sanity, your loved ones, your family, be it biological or chosen." Strictly and OnlyFans star John Whaite opens up on health struggle, saying 'it makes life almost unbearable' Elsewhere in the interview, John revealed a family member had called him "disgusting" due to his OnlyFans content. The Sun previously revealed how he Advertisement The star had been posting a series of very explicit videos and images for his legion of subscribers on the adult-only website. Sources close to the star – who was paired with 'He's in amazing shape and is proud of how far he has come. 'He's says it really has nothing to do with money and it's not about helping fund his bakery business. Advertisement 'John doesn't care what anyone else thinks. "He's really happy with the content he is creating.' 4 John won The Great British Bake Off in 2012 Credit: BBC
