Hi all,
just wondering if anyone has some good suggestions for Christmas presents for my wife to give to her Grade 2 Students? Looking to spend $1 or $2 each, she has about 26 presents to buy. Have previously given books and personalised pencils/pens, but struggling to find something now.
Still wondering where this silly tradition has come from and when it'll die out.
PS: If you are a parent with kids, DO NOT give the teacher chocolate or sweets!
Too late ?
It’ll take them forever to ship it
Agreed. It might arrive when the students are in Grade 6.
?? fridge magnet from el cheapo shop (eg. reject shop)
The Reject shop is a good option, has lots of colored & novelty pens as well as notepads, small cheap toys and other trinkets. They even mini Christmas gift bags starting at 50 ¢
Pens (and to a lesser extent, notepads) are a good idea. Easy on the plastic junk if you can, will just end up in landfill.
Buy something useful like a Cree torch for $2
Easy on the plastic junk if you can, will just end up in landfill. Buy something useful like a Cree torch for $2
A cheap crappy torch is probably likely to end up in landfill to sooner or later, So for that matter may as well get them something more useful and environmentally friendly such as a packet of vegetable seeds roughly $1.50 at the reject shop, these should also get them outside over the summer.
That would be great. Not sure how many parents would help them do it but it's a nice idea.
My Y1 and Y3 sons are really into handball at the moment as are all their friends (we are in WA though so maybe this fad has been and gone over east).
You can get handballs for $2 e.g. http://www.kmart.com.au/product/bounce-ball/841809
I was lucky enough to find some handballs (not as nice designs as the kmart ones in the link above) in a reduced section for $1 at a local sports shop this week (in Perth and I bought all so no deal to post) so you may be lucky to get cheaper if you shop around.
These are the ones I got for $1, they have them for sale online but postage starts at $15.
https://www.jimkiddsports.com.au/collections/equipment/produ…
Please dont buy crap balls for your kids to play handball.
It’ll hurt their hands, buy the semi pro ones used for tennis.
Much more fun to play with and they’ll basically last a life time provided they dont end up on a roof
Think the Wilson ones? $5 for 3.
Nah I don't think you've played handball-like (whatever you want to call it games) for a while. These bouncey balls are the way to go, you get heaps more speed on the ball than by using a tennis ball, and they wear out much slower. The ones at rebel sport are likley better and are still $2.
algy, i'm not sure how old you are but as far as I'm aware, these bouncey balls are too fast and u can't actually return a good slog properly.
With a tennis ball on the other hand, balls can travel with good velocity but at the same time can still be a challenge to return.
so for the sake of a good game, I do think tennis balls are the way to go.
@bao28: I'm early 20's with a long career in the ball-games industry behind me through both primary and high school.
We did thorough play-testing of different solutions and found definitivly that the hi-bounce balls were the way to go. Getting that speed was what made it such a fun game - the tennis ball just didn't make the cut. This carried through all game mediums for us, including downball, wall-ball, and whatever else was the going game for the week.
I do think that the winner is what you're used to, so really, whoever is buying the balls should investigate the current conditions and buy into whatever is trending.
@algy: Did you have the low quality tennis balls? Did you try both cheap-o and professional grade tennis balls?
@ilikeradiohead: We did, but I've discussed it with some kids I know currently in primary school and it seems that we played a more competitive game than others. For those wanting a more relaxed lunchtime past-time I can userstand the appeal of the slower paced tennis ball.
OzB forums always surprising. Was not expecting an in-depth handball ball discussion thread haha
My Y1 and Y3 sons are really into handball at the moment as are all their friends
wow kids still into handball? that brings back memories :) (I thought they would be all playing on their smartphones these days)
Conversely, my daughter is in grade two and we would love your wife’s ideas on gifts she would actually like please
Depends on your budget, but she/we have loved movie tickets. Nothing handmade or sentimental either please.
Awesome idea of movie tickets. I’ll keep that in mind
Agreed. Second year teacher here, I got 50% chocolate and 45% junk. I'm talking about a plastic basketball shoes keyring and a lightbox with 'best teacher ever' on it. I'm grateful for the thought but most of the stuff was regifted to this year's students (not the lightbox) and will ultimately end up in landfill pretty quickly.
Movie tickets or wine would be excellent. Even if the teacher likes neither they can take the wine to social events and give the tickets to family.
I've heard coffee cups are a no-no as 1 is cool…26 are not.
Thanks for the idea. We almost always gave a Parker pen or pencil. Was about to go buy one again for this year.
wine?
No point giving a bribe to the teacher at the end of the year
Not a bribe, a thank you gift.
Teacher here. It's joke jeez
alleluia
I recall some teacher friends in UK and continental Europe used to give out Christmas tree ornaments out to their students each year, not the shiny glossy types instead the small wooden and handcrafted decorations you find at Christmas markets to hang on their Christmas tree at home.
Australia is a bit more multi-cultural so not every student may have a Christmas tree at home, plus there is a shortage of good Christmas markets here but you could check out something like Kmart's range of Christmas decorations where they have 2-packs for $2 or 10-12 packs for $1.
That's a great idea, I'll pass it along.
PS: If you are a parent with kids, DO NOT give the teacher chocolate or sweets!
Why not?
Saturated fat.
That's traditional Xmas food.
Sugar.
We get at least 12 of the same pack that's on special that week. Teacher's don't want/need all that sugar.
I come from a family of teachers and Christmas time was always great because we got to regift 90% of the chocolates and wine to friends and family. Free gifts!
Roses and Favourites for everyone!
Great now I know why my uncle that's a teacher always gave me Favourites chocolate for my birthday & Christmas
Teacher's don't want/need all that sugar.
Seems a bit of a strange general statement. What is it about that profession that deems them to not want chocolate/sugar? I didn't realise that consumption of it is a normal part of their job…
I don't think it's the chocolate/sugar in general that's the problem. More the quantity and quality. A little present with a lot of thought in it…
I have a friend who was given an ~entire~ huge shopping bag of green tea one year…tea is nice but that's a lot. Another time…a pack of out of date xmas candies.
The teacher and principal in my family LOVE chocolate when they get home and on weekends.
I thought it's all about the thought, and not the actual gift.
So true.
Yep sounds ungrateful to me, and here they are looking for cheap crap to give to the students.
A box of chocolate requires no thought whatsoever. Very impersonal, boring and cheap.
LOL
I thought you probably needed those extra energy to deal with the kids
Lie. I'm a teacher. I LOVE IT!
Just don't get me another D*&m coffee mug!
But then how would you know you're the best teacher? :P
I always love it so I can bring it to parties to share
I get about 20 boxes of chocolate. I try to re-gift them all, but still end up with 10. In the end I just chuck it away. There is such a thing as too much chocolate! It's also so thoughtless. You can easily walk into any supermarket and pick up a box of chocolates and pay between $5-$15? So impersonal. No thought at all! Whenever I receive chocolate, I judge the person giving it to me. Like, really? Another box of chocolates?
Depends on the box. Sometimes that can be thoughtful! Especially if they notice your favourite type or what you've tried in the past….
You gotta be careful, I was planning to buy my teacher some chocolates for being such a great teacher. Asked my mate for thoughts, turns out she's diabetic. Yeah candles it is.
I thought it was the students that give the gifts :S
Yeah i wish there was simply no reciprical gift giving… But saying that, teachers these days are basically looked at to raise your kid, teach them how to be a human, social skills and try educate there all while marking, assessing and managing behaviour. Maybe teachers deserve a gift for being whats seen as the cheapest child care available.
Every time I speak to a teacher about their profession I swear it seems they spend their entire weeks saving life’s.
Raising kids for sh*t parents and not really having more time than what the basics need. She easily does an 80hr week, even more now it's report card season.
And she literally has saved 3 lives. 2 from suicide and one from an abusive father that was escalating. Yeah, that sh*t isn't taught at uni.
and they get paid basically nothing too.
@2jzzzz: OMG it's horrible to hear they have such problems at such a young age. Even grade 7 is very young. I'm glad people like your wife are there for these children to talk to! :)
After spending a year with my students, I tend to grow attached and I like to give them something. I don't feel obliged to do it and am happy to get Christmassy with them.
Gifts from students are appreciated, but not expected. Some parents will pitch in together and buy gift cards or other pricier presents.
whoops! only gift for teachers had been stuff from haighs or handmade chopping boards/wooden bowls, didn't realise it wasn't wanted. sorry. will look to get some movie tickets from now on.
Bowls and chopping boards are pretty cool, high end chocolate is OK too, but the amount the get, it really is too much.
I am a secondary school teacher, we rarely if ever get gifts. I can't believe your wife would not appreciate any gift (chocolates, homemade, etc). It is the thought that counts!!
I hate driving home in summer with 26 boxes of favourites that are mush by the time it get home :)
Yeah, sucks to be you, receiving so many gifts!
Other way around - wife wants to give a small gift to each student I believe.
hand written notes with advice on how to lead a productive fulfilling happy life. they wont get it now but will greatly appreciate it when they are adults.
i dont remember much from primary school, but i do remember some of the nice things a teacher said or wrote to me :)
A small bag or jar of malteasers with a jaffa with a cute 'reindeer noses' tag on it.
Not allowed where I work. Department regulations state that treat foods are not to be used as gifts or rewards.
Still wondering where this silly tradition has come from and when it'll die out.
I don't think it's a silly tradition at all. I think it's a nice way to say goodbye after having spent a year with each other. I rember when I was in primary school I used to love giving and receiving gifts with my teachers.
and $52 dollars is hardly a big deal to spend on so many presents.
hot wheels.
maths textbook
Water pistol with a note that says ‘have a silly summer!’
Not this, unless you want the Principal to field a flurry of complaint calls.
Our son received this and I thought it was a great idea! :)
I love that!
PS: If you are a parent with kids, DO NOT give the teacher chocolate or sweets!
Why?
*Edited: sorry ignore me, someone already asked and you answered!
Maybe try find some small stuffed reindeers or something else christmasy?
In 6th grade we had a student teacher for a month or 2. During that time she came to a zoo excursion with us. When she left she gave us all a small stuffed animal.
I'm 27 now and I still have my small stuffed crocodile.
My wife is a primary teacher, for years she has given her classes the same present. She makes a big batch of play dough at home in all different colours. Nice and cheap and the kids love it.
She's already given them the gift of knowledge & guidance… Why the hell does she have to ply the filthy parasites with gifts?
And parents? Do right by teachers and supply them with wine or whiskey.
Fidget spinners
by now you can get 'em for like $0.15
Spy pens from Kmart. $1 each and the kids LOVE them, especially when they realise they can write secret notes on the back of their hands.
http://www.kmart.com.au/product/2-pack-pink-and-purple-invis…
They also come in blue/green packs.
My other suggestion would be bookmarks as the emphasis at this age is on reading, something to remind them of their classmates - maybe take a group crazy-face picture or something. Then just a matter of making up something in the shape of a bookmark, printing and laminating.
Costco muffins!!!
Still wondering where this silly tradition has come from
Other teachers doing it
and when it'll die out.
When teachers stop doing it :)
I'm going to be the party pooper and just suggest she checks the school policy. I'm all for the idea but look at how paranoid and litigious the world is now esp if it involves school kids; oh noes the risk of offending one kid or the parents, or the kid who "may" have allergies, or the kid who … (and so on)
My daughter, who has just finished high school, still treasures a Christmas decoration given to her in year two - especially the note that is still attached to it. The same teacher also sent a lovely note home to each parent with a photo of the child from some activity during the year.
Hopefully your wife is allowed to give Christmas decorations, though!
Was going to suggest similar. Get a pack of Christmas Baubles, a metallic marker, and write each child's name on baubles. Done!
Actually, that's what my sister does each year for her students. My daughter just loves being able to read the note attached to her decoration.
I love this! We do it (he's a teacher, middle school). He doesn't want any more mugs. And you're right on the chocolates, I buy enough as it is. He wants wine, and would love movie tickets, tickets to concerts (he's a music teacher) or a giftcard for an experience. One year he had a kid that organized that. Though his favourite gift is a huge signed card, a thank you card with messages from all the kids, he's framed it for the study.
Loving the xmas ornament idea, I'd do something customized with each child's name on it. A glitter bauble in their favourite color. I craft and stock up on everything when Lincraft has 50% off.
Grade 2 - Hmm… what about an A6 book and crayons? The no candy rule is hard, would have recommended malteaers and jaffles. Custom bookmarks? I love anything personalized. You could DIY these, get a nice background (a few diff designs), download a free font. Print out and laminate, hole pun and tassel. Clay ornaments! Using salt dough, then imprint names on them using letter stamps.
$10 off their first Uber ride using your referral code?
Kids shout "Referral Spam"
I bought my art teacher lingerie in year 11…
For teacher :
I think if possible all the parents(or most of them) can collaborate and buy a gift card or a gift item (like jewellery). Requires volunteering from one or more parents.
For kids :
Definitely a personalized hand written note addressing how they can improve and a christmas ornament or candy cane is good enough to make them happy
Collaborating with parents is a horrible idea. You'll have people who don't want to participate or people who feel like they're being forced to participate (even if you tell them it's entirely voluntary) and then will begrudgingly join, but be totally miserable about it. Then there is trying to get some kind of general consensus on what to get. God damn nightmare organising I reckon…
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