Latest news with #endofyeargifts
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
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
A MUM has hit back after being torn apart for the gifts she got her kid's teacher. Heidi Powell, an influencer and mum-of-four shared an image of the goodies to social media. 2 2 But the clip has recently resurfaced after being filmed three years ago as parents seek out ideas for end-of-year presents. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a teacher and I was left fuming by my end of year gift – it's borderline insulting & so cheap
WITH schools across the country breaking up for summer this week teachers are set to be in for a treat with a deluge of end of year gifts. However, one educator was left less than impressed by their gift with people describing it as 'insulting.' 1 Taking to Reddit the teacher shared a snap of their disappointing present, captioning the image 'What my school gave its teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.' Much like the end of term in the UK, Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated in the US by giving staff gifts as an acknowledgement of their hard work. But in this case the teacher would rather they hadn't bothered at all. The teacher revealed they had been given a total of seven Starburst sweets for being 'the star of our school.' But that's not all, they were also handed a sheet of bubble wrap with the instructions to 'pop every hour' as a form of stress relief. Fellow Redditors were equally baffled by the lacklustre gift, sharing their thoughts in the comments. One wrote: "This is so insulting.' 'Not even a whole pack though, how cheap can you possibly be,' added another. A third chimed in: 'Here's some left over Halloween candy and the packing material that came with something we wanted.' It comes after a mum-of-two named Lou took to social media to ask teachers what gifts they actually want to receive. I'm a mum of two and made Xmas gifts for my kids' teachers for £6, using bargains from Asda, Lidl and B&M The content creator shared her short clip with the caption 'Primary school teacher gifts help?!' Alongside her video, Lou then asked: 'Primary school teachers: What makes a great gift? 'I don't want to just get a mug or a key ring. 'Tell me something you actually WANT to get?' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ lemon_squeezey, was posted just three days ago, but has quickly racked up 242,600 views, 566 likes and 916 comments. Teachers eagerly flocked to the comments to share the gifts parents should buy - with many suggesting gift cards. But there's also a free item that takes minutes to do and isn't a handmade card. One teacher shared a free idea that is so simple but really effective: "An email to the headteacher saying how amazing we are."
The Sun
17-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm a teacher and there's 7 end-of-year gifts I absolutely HATE – please don't get us flowers for a start
THE school year is coming to a close and parents across the country are scratching their heads over what gift to give their child's teacher. Gifts may seem sweet, but trust me - we don't want a wilting bouquet or another mug saying 'Best Teacher Ever'. 5 5 I'm a part-time reception class teacher at a primary school in Coventry, and I absolutely love it. There's no better gift than watching the little ones grow, learn and gain confidence throughout the year. Sometimes parents want to show their appreciation with gifts, which is lovely, but it's the personal touches that mean the most. While I'm grateful for a thoughtful gesture, there are seven end-of-year gifts I secretly can't stand… and yes, flowers are right at the top of the list. 1. Flowers - the last-minute easy option They may look and smell lovely, but they're high-maintenance and can be messier than a glitter craft session - especially lilies as they stain! Plus, most bouquets start wilting faster than my patience on a school trip to the farm. 2. Notebooks & Calendars - simply practical My pencil cases are practically bursting with planners and to-do lists! There are only so many notebooks with 'Boss Babe' or 'Stay Positive' I can pretend to love. 3. Stationery - useful but predictable Trust me, I've got more Sharpies than sense. A novelty pencil sharpener or rainbow highlighters seemed handy – until I realised every parent had the same idea. 4. Teddies - cute but no Until I have kids, teddies are just going to collect dust. I'll thank you kindly - but then wonder where to put yet another '#1 Teacher' bear. 5. Chocolate - sweet but safe Our staffroom is already a sugar bomb waiting to explode with endless sweet snacks and post-it notes from teachers saying: "Please take it or it will go in the bin!" Don't add to our collection. Free summer holiday activites You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer... Museums - Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids. Parks - Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy. Beach - It doesn't have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland. Library - If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds. Cooking - Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge. Playdates - Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising. Boardgames - Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble. 6. Mugs - too generic I love tea - but I've got enough mugs to open a café. Ones with quotes are cute, but after the tenth one, they start to lose their charm. 7. Books - to unwind? More like rewind Sweet idea – but unless it's a personal fave or a signed copy, I might not read it. And if it's another mindfulness journal? Well... I'm stressed just thinking about it. What I actually love... I'm not a total gift-grinch. There are some goodies that make me genuinely smile. 1. Handwritten Cards & Letters - guaranteed tear-jerker A heartfelt note from your child (or even you) means the world. It's the kind of thing I tuck away and re-read when I'm questioning my life choices mid- Ofsted inspection. 2. Kids' Drawings - gold star for effort I love a good stickman with wild hair and "Miss Sharma is the best!" scrawled in the child's handwriting. It makes my heart melt. No money can buy a one-of-a-kind piece of art. 3. Homemade Treats - made with love If you (or your little one) can bake, a homemade treat is always appreciated. Whether it's cookies or brownies, I'll happily munch on them between marking. 4. Bath Gift Sets & Candles - classic crowd-pleaser Yes, please to anything that smells like lavender or lets me soak in peace after a day of school chaos. Bonus points for personalisation, or if it comes in pretty packaging! 5. Indoor Plants - good vibes and no fuss I love a leafy pal that lasts longer than a week - as long as it doesn't require a PhD in gardening. Think low maintenance: aloe vera, succulents or a cheeky peace lily. 6. Cute Home Décor - bright and personal A small trinket dish, a funky coaster or even a motivational sign saying "You've Got This" is great for that extra boost of confidence! Little things go a long way. 7. Vouchers - easy yet effective Whether it's Amazon, Costa, or M&S – I'll actually use these. Because nothing says 'I appreciate you' like letting me pick out my own reward and treat myself. So remember - keep it simple, make it thoughtful, and it's not about the money; it's about the message. And if all else fails, say it with wine. 5
