Wednesday 4 November 2015

Just a thought...

Do you ever give one of those "just a thought" gifts? A little something for say a mom that helped you when you could not fetch your kid or a coach or leader at an extra mural - something like that. Not in particular teachers gifts because I think they fall into another category. I often do and then sometimes I think I really should not go to the effort or money to do this. Is this even appreciated?
 
As some of you may have gathered I was involved this year in one of the kids' extra mural activities. A behind the scenes job - doing admin and helping out. The one that buggs the other parents to pay the money and send in the forms. That checks the figures and admin. I also helped out a few times with the actual activity but mainly I did the behind the scenes admin stuff.

Great was my surprise when at the end of the year function three moms had as they all 3 said "just a little thought " to say thanks. I have to say that for me this is not just a little something. It's a token of appreciation - and that is what matters - what the content of the package is was of very little importance. The idea that even though I may have been the one that did the unpleasant job,it was still very much appreciated. These little somethings and the thoughts behind them brought me a lot of joy.

So, do you give "little thoughts" and while we are at it - what about teachers gifts? A being in grade 4 has a whole caboodle of teachers. How do we do this?

BTW as a side note - I love the two Woollies soaps I got. I adore a luxury soap that I may not buy for myself and use it almost immediately. And I got nougat! My absolute favorite sweet. That is a whole different question too - what is your favorite sweet treat?

20 comments:

  1. I've given teacher gifts a few times, but Im considering keeping up with the trend :) Its such a lovely culture to instil with your kids - to appreciate their teachers and the hard work they put in during the school year! Love those Woolies soaps too :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is the first year we have teachers in the mix. Would love to get them something, but have no idea where to start. Favourite sweet treat ... Chocolate of course...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not the best at the just a thought gift after something, but say someone gives me a lift elsewhere I do my thank you something then. I haven't received any that I can think of :-/

    Teacher presents is something for next year. I think more teachers means more note writing, with a smaller something?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah that is so sweet...now you know what the teachers feel like ♥

    ReplyDelete
  5. I only give a gift to the class teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I give "just a thought" gifts often to my staff & they love it! We have little traditions like on valentines day I give them those pink "ouderling" sweeties" :) Teachers gifts (I presume you mean for year end) I reckon the "voogklas juffrou" gets something nice (I usually give some bath spoil thing I know I don't buy for myself), but all the rest just a little chocolate. Dischem has these very inexpensive but beautifully presented little chocolate gift boxes at around R15. Again, it's the thought that counts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good idea - I think I need to go to Dischem

      Delete
  7. That is lovely of them!

    I give gifts to all and sundry :) but I have stopped it a bit. I just realised reading your post that I think I felt in a lot of cases it wasn't appreciated. I don't expect anything but a nice, sincere thanks; a note would be wonderful but I know no-one writes notes anymore :o

    We have given teachers gifts. I only did Valentine's and then end of year. I will admit last year it was SOLELY because the kids insisted as I was not wowed by that one teacher. Anyway, moving on....

    We will definitely do gifts this year - it has been such a gift to have both my kids appreciated and "seen" for who they really are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SO glad you scored in the teacher department this year

      Delete
  8. I think it depends on each one's love language. I love gifts, and always hand out little things to say thanks...
    Love bath things, and chocolates as little gifts!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I often write little letters, or rather poems for the teachers and other key staff at Liam's school to show my appreciation. I've given gifts to the teachers he sees daily and then thank you cards with personalised messages for everyone who has helped with his upbringing, like his swimming, Kindermusiek and Action Sports teachers. I don't really like buying presents for these because I'm not quite sure what they are into, but if I do I try to make it practical. Last year Liam and I planted little cacti in coloured stones in those round KFC ice-cream balls.
    As for the sweet treat - Yesterday I scoffed one of those BIG Bar One's. Naughty, naughty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love the cacti idea - and am myself partial to a Bar one now and again

      Delete
  10. Good for you for helping out and I'm glad you got spoilt with those gifts!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love it! I think its very important to show appreciation for someone who worked "behind the scenes" or helped you out with some "mommy task" that you just couldn't get to because of work,time restraints, whatever. That being said its something I really fret about... I never know WHAT to get. I am always worried that I buy an idiot gift! This year I have been super organised and ordered wooden bead bracelets for all the teachers... and I promised myself I'm not going to stress about. Thats what I bought and that is what they are getting with a nice hand written note.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow - wonderful to feel appreciated.

    I'm forever giving out gifts and I absolutely love doing it.

    For Zoe's teachers I normally give a gift voucher. I think they are so tired of soaps and chocolates. Hopefully they can spoil themselves with something else then.

    There is just nothing like an unexpected gift.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I give these types of gifts all the time to my friends and family. I love giving.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love to spoil people with little gifts when I'm able to. Gift buying and giving is one of my favourite things! But it can also be really hard when I can't afford to get people the things I'd like to...
    I'm all for anything sweet at the moment, from baked stuff (still with the doughnuts!) to wine gums ... But I'm with you on the nougat. That stuff is the bomb!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do teacher gifts for Valentine's, mothers day and end of year. I love it. I tend to make it myself. Like personalised iced cookies, pancakes, and gift cards for birthdays.I like to give little gifts to anyone to show appreciation. If I know someone well, something more personal than a chocolate or flowers.

    ReplyDelete

So what's on your mind?