However, experts evaluate such gifts cautiously and warn that an excessive desire to thank the teacher for their work can make not only the teacher but also other children feel uncomfortable, according to a press release from “Gift Island”.
Read more Captured: car bridge in Kyiv narrowly avoided a Russian drone strike
So you don’t have to blush
For practicality, teachers themselves increasingly ask to choose other signs of attention instead of dozens of flowers on September 1st. Although in such cases it is important that the alternative to flowers does not automatically become a more expensive gift, this request from teachers encourages families to look for other ways to express gratitude.
According to Ieva Daugėlė, a member of the National Family and Parents Association Council, parents then have questions about what would truly please the teacher but at the same time would not cause discomfort or a sense of obligation.
“I think that symbolic gratitude is distinguished from an overly expensive gift not only by its monetary value. It is also important whether the gift is proportionate to the occasion, whether the teacher can accept it without feeling uncomfortable, and whether there is no expectation created that it should be reciprocated somehow. If the value of the gift begins to overshadow the gesture of thanks itself, it is likely that the line has been crossed,” says I. Daugėlė.
Instead of many separate flowers, she also recommends giving one common class bouquet or a potted plant that will delight the teacher’s home or office much longer.
As Sandra Četrauskienė, head of the Community Well-being Department at Vilnius University (VU), notes, when congratulating a teacher, the most important thing should remain attention to the person and sincere gratitude – the gift more often becomes just a symbolic way to say that the teacher is important and their work and efforts are noticed.
However, when considering a joint gift from the class, she urges not to forget to think not only about the teacher but also about the financial capabilities of other families to contribute. There are cases when due to overly ambitious ideas, parents have to abandon such an idea, and an overly expensive gift can cause discomfort to the teacher themselves, making them feel indebted.
“It is much more valuable to create a shared experience: organize a picnic, excursion, class celebration, spend time together. Children and the school community need relationships, being together in person, and emotional connection the most. Such moments allow seeing each other as real people, not just teachers, parents, or students,” notes S. Četrauskienė.
Gifts costing up to 100 euros
Sellers also note that students and their parents increasingly look for more original ways to thank teachers – traditional flower bouquets are complemented by personalized gifts, sweet surprises, books, or experiential gifts.
The head of a gift shop, Vainius Žalimas, even notices that on the occasion of September 1st, students’ parents do not spare larger joint gifts from the whole class for teachers – most often chosen are gift vouchers for SPA treatments, gourmet experiences, and cultural or educational experiences.
Read more Fraud case in Klaipėda: 33 thousand euros extorted from residents
According to him, during this period there is also growing interest in gift certificates from various stores, such as bookstores, coffee shops, or cosmetics stores.
“From customer choices, we see that gift vouchers are indeed increasingly becoming part of thanking teachers, which shows that people are looking for practical but different gifts. However, most often it is not the idea of the gift that differs, but the budget allocated for it. Smaller value is chosen for individual gifts, while larger value gift vouchers are chosen for a joint class gift,” says V. Žalimas.
According to data from the store he manages, 20–30 euros is usually allocated for individual gifts. If the gift is purchased from the whole class, the budget usually reaches 50–100 euros.
Children’s opinion is forgotten
However, what and how much to give is more often decided by parents, rarely asking the children themselves how they would like to congratulate their teacher. S. Četrauskienė is convinced that in this case the children’s opinion should hold the most important position.
“When we want to thank but do not know how to express that gratitude, we choose the simplest way – we buy a gift. However, for teachers who work out of vocation and put a lot of heart into their work, sincere, personal attention is much more important,” says S. Četrauskienė.
And the ideas proposed by children can surprise and be unexpectedly creative and much more personal, she adds.
I. Daugėlė also believes that some forms of gratitude have no less value than expensive gifts. These can be a wish written by children, a photo album for memories, a joint class card, a sung song, or even recited verses.
“Especially meaningful are gifts created by the children themselves – drawings, letters, wishes, or short stories about what they thank the teacher for. Such a gift not only expresses gratitude but also involves the child themselves. They do not remain just the bearer of a gift bought by parents but learn to notice another person’s efforts and sincerely thank them,” notes the interviewee.
Read more Two drug distribution points liquidated in Vilnius – distributors and buyers detained
