I'm a former teacher and these are the three gifts to avoid giving at the end of the year - and the one I kept my entire career

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

As the school year draws to a close, grateful parents across the country are scrambling to pick the perfect thank-you gift for their child's teacher.
Many will gift flowers and chocolates to their children's class teacher as a thank you for their hard work - but certain gifts should be avoided, according to one former teacher.
Damon Culbert, who worked in a primary school for years, told Femail small, meaningful gifts are the best way to go to make a teacher feel 'appreciated, and even encourage them to stay another year'.
'My favourite gift wasn't expensive; it was a short video from one of my pupils saying thank you. I still have it today,' Damon, who
According to him, the best gifts are personal. A heartfelt note or a small item that shows the teacher was really seen can make a big impact.
'A personalised gift from the whole class could cost as little as 30p per parent, and it's something the teacher will treasure forever.'
Despite good intentions, some gifts miss the mark - including alcohol.
'While it might seem like a safe, grown-up gift, alcohol can actually be a bit of a gamble,' he said.
'Not every teacher drinks, and with the rise of sober-curiosity, many are cutting back or avoiding it altogether.
'Unless you know for sure that your child's teacher enjoys a particular drink (and you've seen them enjoy it), it's probably best to steer clear.
'For some, it can feel a bit inappropriate, especially in a professional setting.
'More often than not, bottles end up re-gifted or collecting dust in a cupboard. A thoughtful alternative will always go down better.'
He added that food gifts can also be risky.
'Between allergies, dietary preferences, and the sheer volume of sweet treats teachers receive at the end of term, a food gift will often go uneaten.
'Unless your child knows a teacher's favourite snack or brand, it's unlikely to land in a meaningful way.
'It's not that we don't appreciate the gesture, but a personal touch will always stand out more than a generic box of chocolates.
'Something like a cookbook or a jar of homemade jam can feel far more thoughtful.'
Finally, children should avoid gifting any expensive brands.
'I completely understand that parents want to show how much they appreciate their child's teacher, but expensive items from luxury brands can sometimes have the opposite effect,' Damon said.
'They can make teachers feel awkward, or even guilty, especially if they know other families may be struggling financially.
'A gift that costs a tenth of the price but shows genuine thought or a personal connection will have ten times the impact.
'Gifts like a class-made memory jar or a framed thank-you note are far more meaningful and far more likely to be kept.'