This is a good idea

I agree, CS. There was another teacher initiative that I read about recently but can't remember details. Teacher, think it was Head, said Christmas was cancelled unless children cohld convince her through debate and logic why school should celebrate it, hoping for some connection with birth of Christ as opposed to birth of Pressie Time.

No argument from me that commercialisation be reined in.

That’s a marvellous idea. The pupils will learn that some folk are needy and they will help those very people at the same time as understanding the real meaning of Christmas.

Although a total non-believer I applaud her action. 

It's a brilliant idea and there is so much need for it. A great way to raise awareness.

There was a report on SW news last week - can't remember the exact details - of a group of school students who'd designed special labels to be placed in supermarkets on items that were particularly needed for local food banks - now rolled out to all Sainsburys stores. 

I heard an item on the radio the other day which reported a lady saying that in her family they put a price limit on gifts per recipient (£5 or £10 I think) but the stipulation was that everything had to be bought in charity shops. 

I'm not sure how practical that would be but I applaud the sentiment.

Fliss and I have a £15 limit for buying pressies for each other at Christmas. Not a lot we need really. 

In the past Fliss' sister and B-in-L have bought me presents that go to charity. I say tell sis to buy me a large box of Malteasers and, if she thinks that is not enough but me a bottle of Aberlour scotch or more Malteasers

A well meaning thought, but I would rather she asked for a donation to a favourite charity rather than specifying one.  We don't celebrate Christmas per se  and Yuletide is a fairly low key event for us .

I've never been bought Malteasers, but I have been bought, on various occasions, Bourbon, Vodka and Aberlour whisky.  Unfortunately I loathe Bourbon and Vodka, and I don't really like Aberlour.  The best gifts I have received have been token inexpensive ones.

However.....  Dear Santa, please may I have a bottle of 16 yo Lagavuilin  and some Liquorice Allsorts.

Yesterday in the news A school announced that the pupils should only give teachers presents up to the value of £50.00 ..  Needless to say that kind of attitude IMO is abhorrent and reeks of greed. 

The Proper attitude, is that of Kate McLaughlan ---Well done to her.. ----. Why would any school teachers want the children or their parents to spend their valuable cash on  "presents for the teacher",,,,, 

The practice should be banned and any parents who want to spend that money, be encouraged to give it to charity.

K 

Well I completely agree with your first paragraph (apparently added as an afterthought to the rest of the post ), K. I'm surprised that any school should do that - they deserve to be named and shamed - care to do that in case others, like me, missed that news item (or is it a "fake news" item?)

But I think "banning" adults from spending money how they wish is rather draconian, isn't it?

When I was teaching I bought every pupil in my tutor group a small present at the end of each term - nothing elaborate - usually a small seasonal chocolate - we also exchanged birthday and Christmas cards. Some returned the gesture and gave me a small gift in return. Never "expected" but always "appreciated". Nothing wrong with that, surely?

In fact I still see many of those same people now walking their own children to school. I still get Christmas cards and even birthday cards from some of them. It's all about establishing good relationships and earning respect, something that school "in the news" apparently finds it difficult to do.

Here you go, M.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7893292/school-tells-parents-christmas-presents-teachers/

Seems it’s a private school costing over £16k p/a so hardly typical. The story is in several 'red tops'.🙄