'Please no more!' The Christmas gifts teachers want parents to stop buying

"Dear mums and dads, we love the thought but we have enough now. Lots of love, the teachers."

It's nearing the end of term four, which means many parents are running around looking frazzled at the shops because they're wondering what the hell to buy their child's teacher for Christmas. 

Much like the educators who have put in a solid year of teaching our (sometimes bratty) kids, we are not OK!

We are not OK because of the mental load of having to buy something 'nice' for someone we don't really know. Which is exactly why most of us settle for something easy, universal, cheap (enough)... a candle or a mug. 

Well, I'm here to deliver a special message from our educators straight to you...

"Please stop!"

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The message teachers want to deliver to all parents this Christmas. Image: iStock

In the name of research (and for my own benefit), I decided to take the hot topic to some teachers I know to save many of us parents the hassle of trying to find something that they'll not only appreciate but actually like. 

My target group was simple: someone who teaches kindy, someone in primary school and another in high school. 

Sadly for me, I am guilty of purchasing all of the things they don't want. But it's not too late to save yourselves... 

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The gifts teachers WANT this Christmas

When it comes to the little ones at school, teachers appreciate all of the things. According to our kindy teacher, anything personalised is always a winner - including stationery, tote bags and other similar items you can have personalised in store or online. 

While it's a controversial pick, our kindy teacher told us that she actually doesn't mind a candle or box of chocolates because they always get used or "shared in the staff room". 

Sentimental gifts like a hand-written note always brings some buzzy feels. 

Kindy teachers say yes to: 

• candles
• handwritten notes
• chocolates
• personalised items
• totes
• stationery 
• gift cards

Moving a few years over to our primary school teacher, and they admit they appreciate a thoughtful gift that values them as a person and the topic they teach. 

"Gifts like that really shows that I've made enough of an impact or rapport on my kids that they see something and go 'OMG that's so Miss...'," our primary school teachers tells us. "In saying that, there's only so many mugs and candles I can take home!"

While a bottle of alcohol is something this particular teacher welcomes, she stresses that not all schools welcome it so it's best to read the room a little on that one. 

"I've heard some schools don't like it and I've also heard that some parents worry about their children bringing it to their teachers," she says. 

A thoughtful letter with something small is very much appreciated. Image: iStock

Primary teachers say yes to:

• items that show you have taken in their personality /interests
• something related to the subject they teach
• booze (maybe discretely?)
• visa gift cards

High school teachers seem to be a little easier to please, with our teacher telling us that a few lovely words will do. 

"Heartfelt acknowledgment and show of appreciation - that goes a long way," they said. 

High school teachers say yes to: 

• a kind email of thanks
• a heartfelt letter
• simple bunch of flowers and handwritten card

Want to know what teachers actually want this Christmas? Tune in to Kidspot's podcast Mum Club. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

The gifts teachers DON'T WANT this Christmas 

While it's welcome by (most) of the primary educators, kindy teachers want parents to know that alcoholic gifts make them feel a little uncomfortable. 

"No to alcoholic gifts as a whole, as it's too personal and the teacher may not drink," she told us. 

Kindy teachers say no to:

• photo frames
• coffee cups
• figurines and trinkets for their desk
• alcohol

Mugs and candles are out for our primary school teachers but there's one little warning they want to convey about gift cards too. 

"I've been getting a lot of Westfield gift cards, which is a lovely gesture but I struggle with those as I don't have a centre near me. If vouchers are given, personally I prefer a Visa gift card," she says. 

Primary school teachers say no to: 

• mugs
• candles
• Westfield - or store specific - gift cards 

No more mugs! Image: iStock

RELATED: The ultimate guide to handmade Christmas gifts

Our high school teacher only really had one request about what to leave off the Xmas list for them. 

"We do get a lot of chocolates!" she laughs. 

But let's be clear here. It's not that they don't LIKE chocolate. It's that they get so many that they end up being shared in the staff room, with the children in class or (awkies) re-gifted.

High school teachers say no to: 

• Chocolates

The clear winner is...

Of course teachers appreciate the thought of any gift, but the clear winner after speaking to many educators out there is an eftpos gift card. To be spent anywhere, anytime, on anything!

Parents, you're welcome.

And teachers, Merry Christmas and enjoy the long break... we can't wait to dump our kids back to you come the end of January!

Originally published as 'Please no more!' The Christmas gifts teachers want parents to stop buying