End of school year teacher gifts

[blushing]

Hi, I am planning ahead. James finishes preschool in July and has had the same keyworker for 2 years.
Last year at the end of the year I gave her a M&S voucher with a card that James made. For the other staff at the preschool I bought some kilner jars and filled them with sweets and attached a thank you tag made by James.
This year I am thinking as a thank you of getting some nice preserves and pickles and fancy biscuits and putting it in a nice basket. His teacher is a bit older, married with a teenage son, not one that is into beauty products (or does not appear to be). She does not wear make-up, but does wear big old school classes. She is the type of person we could have had when we were in preschool, just a plain jane. Not sure if that makes sense or is relevant. Do you think the idea of pickles, preserves and fancy biscuits in a nice basket will work? James will make the card again. I am also thinking of making a nice cake for the school party and decorating with the school's name, and maybe making some nice cupcakes for the rest of the staff.

I know that last year some of you said that you would not eat products your kids parents made, but I know they will because a) they told me so and b) they ate the cupcakes I made for the Christmas party.

Edit: I should mention I plan on buying the pickles and preserves, not making them

[clickerish]

Got to be honest. Not sure about the mix more than anything. Pickles and preserves? I love preserves, but I tend to think of pickles as going with cheese more than fruit personally.

And what is a "biscuit" to you? Because I used to think they were something akin to the US cracker, until I got to this country and they told me it was something similar but puffier than a scone. If it's the US version, I would make the mix of the dry, put a recipe on it and let her make it herself so she can make it warm with the scones. If it's the first version, I'd do it with pickles and add cheese.

I wouldn't say this is a bad idea if they will eat homemade foods. I like that you make your kid make the card--it seems more genuine.

[blushing]

I am thinking probably more pickles, i.e. selection of different chutneys. Sorry, I forget about the American term for biscuits (I am not America,nor do I live there). I mean like the US cracker.

[lolo]

I think that sounds lovely--a sort of 'picnic' send off.

I would confirm with the school what constitutes a nominal gift, though, just to make sure she is allowed to accept it. For instance, at my organization, we can only accept gifts up to a £50 value; after that, we have to declare it and we will donate it if possible (not with food items, for obvious reasons).

[blushing]

Its a preschool run in a church hall, its own by 3 ladies. All 3 work there and the keyworker is one of them so I am not too conerned about that. Thanks for the heads up though.

[crimsonandclover]

I think that sounds like a good idea. I teach adults, but sometimes they give me presents on the last day of class, and I eat the edible things (I don't have any food allergies). My dad used to make little loaves of bread using an old Swedish family recipe for all of our teachers, bus drivers, Sunday School teachers, etc. I don't know if they ate them, to be honest, but even now I think something like that is a nice idea.

[elenetxu]

I think that's a sweet idea. I'd be honored to receive anything!

[pseudoagain]

Fortnum&Mason baskets are great for these kind of things. My grandma still raves about the one I got her 3 years ago.

[dulcemariamar]

I always get flamed for this when this topic comes up but as long as you dont send homemade food/desserts then everything is good.

[clogged]

I am siding with dulcemariamar on this. No to homemade, but love the picnic basket idea.

[crimsonandclover]

Just curious - why no homemade stuff? I must have missed these threads in the past.

[dulcemariamar]

Because you never know how clean they keep their house. Most teachers where I used to work would throw it away if it was homemade.

[clickerish]

May 16, 2012 1:48:20 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Because you never know how clean they keep their house. Most teachers where I used to work would throw it away if it was homemade.

Fascinating. I have never had this come up because my students don't cook. They have brought in pastries from a store, though. And sometimes they buy me coffee.

[americaninoz]

I think in a small situation like that homemade is perfect!
I bring homemade treats to the workers at dd's daycare now and then & they love it
I'd go for it blushing - that sounds like a lovely gift!!