Tales of Teacher Gifts

Ever wondered how Christmas gift-giving varies between sunny Dubai and the traditional UK? Join us as we share stories from the classroom, where the art of giving takes on a whole new meaning from a teacher's perspective. Listen to the tales of unexpected luxuries in Dubai, where a Scotty Cameron putter made its way under the tree, and appreciate the heartfelt sincerity of gifts from UK students, like a cherished snow globe or a secondhand hoodie. These experiences highlight the profound impact of generosity, regardless of the gift’s price tag.

From the bustling malls of Dubai to the cozy traditions of the UK, explore the cultural nuances that shape the festive season for educators. We also dive into the annual ritual of parents organizing gifts through WhatsApp groups, discussing why a simple gift card often speaks volumes over more elaborate presents. Reflect with us on what truly matters during the holidays as we uncover the gratitude and care that shine brightest from those who give with their hearts. This episode promises a heartwarming glimpse into the unique world of Christmas presents for teachers, packed with stories that will leave you smiling.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Welcome back to another episode of School Talk. This is the second episode in the December Dialogues mini-series. Now, I didn't do this episode last week because I didn't want to influence anyone's decision on what they would buy their teacher as a gift. So, as it's the festive season, we're going to talk all about Christmas presents, what they mean, how they differ across different cultures and the unique gifts that teachers often receive. Now, I didn't do this episode last week because I didn't want to influence anyone's decision on what they buy their teacher, but if you bought one of these presents, you'll get my thoughts on it. So we're going to explore, for me, the presents that I've received since working in Dubai compared to what I got back in the UK. Some of those memorable gifts I've got and the funny go-to gifts that teachers often get Kicks off cultural differences.

Speaker 1: 0:55

Christmas in Dubai has a very unique flair. You've got malls that are completely covered in decorations, you've got sunny weather and you've got so many different cultural expat influences, and the gifts often reflect this. So you could get experiences. You could get luxury gifts or you could get really practical gifts as well. Now, in terms of the UK, it's much more about tradition Socks, board games, quality, street tins, celebrations, all those things like that. But in terms of my personal experience it's been very different from the UK where I worked in a really deprived area compared to when I first moved to Dubai At the school it was the most expensive school in Dubai at the time, so you can imagine the range of gifts. Let's say, if I think about my school in the UK, these children unfortunately couldn't really afford anything, but they really wanted to show you how much they care, so I got a for end of term gift once. I got a snow globe, so not really Christmas related. I got a multi-pack of sneakers but there was only three out of the four sneakers in there. Lots of charity shop things like hoodies and things that they'd bought secondhand all of these gifts yes, they weren't as extravagant as potentially the gifts I received in Dubai, but they still really mean something as a teacher like it just shows you the kids care. However, flip that on its head to move into Dubai.

Speaker 1: 2:27

I couldn't believe that a month before Christmas the class mum asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I haven't moved, just moved from the UK. I was like I have no idea, just anything I'm grateful for, and that year it was Lacoste polos, there were golf clubs, there were cash experiences. I was literally blown away with how much I've got and it's just yeah so, so different in every school. But I think all teachers here will know that parents are extremely generous and they do as much as they can as to show you how much they care for you teaching their kids. I would say my favorite gift has to be a class mum said. I used to play ice hockey with her husband and the husband said to me oh, what do you want for Christmas? My wife wants to buy you a gift from the class and I was like okay, I want. Uh, for those that know, I want a scotty cameron putter. Just, you know, set the bar high and amazingly, that's what I got for christmas that year from that class. So for those you know how much that costs, yes, very fortunate present. Now, that's kind of the perspective from a teacher, the gifts that I've received. But I've also seen this from the other side, from the parent side. Now I'm not in any of the whatsapp groups myself, but my wife is always in the whatsapp group where those yearly messages come around saying, okay, it's time now, but time to buy our teacher a gift.

Speaker 1: 4:04

Now, I might be wrong, I might just not be very sentimental, but teachers nine times out of 10, would love just a gift card for them all and they can buy exactly what they like. Teachers do not want a quote of, or 30 quotes of, what children have said about them framed in a picture that they're then going to have on their wall, or they don't want pictures of each of the kids made into a nice collage that then they can have. I only taught for 10 years. Believe me, there are not 10 different pictures dotted around the wall in my house of those things. I know it's a very nice idea, but I'd say people who've been teaching for a lot longer than me may need to rethink that. But again, that's just my personal opinion. But then there's also. You get the sentimental ones.

Speaker 1: 4:59

I would say the amount of mugs with my name on, not my name, or my name and my face on. I've lost count. And when you go into a shop and they stretch that image over a mug, you end up just looking. I mean, it's not the best, but I do actually have about five, ten different Christmas mugs that I've received over the years. So again, really, really thoughtful, and any gift that you get, no matter whether it's big or whether it's small, is a sign of appreciation. So yeah, I know I'm taking the mickey out of some of the gifts here, but no matter what gift I've ever received, before the child gives it to you, or when the child gives it to you and before you open it, there's still that huge appreciation of how much you actually care, that they've taken time out of their day to write a card, to wrap a present for you and give it to you just to say thanks for being their teacher. So I think that is like the best thing you can ask for. There is. But your turn in the post today. What's the most memorable gift you've ever received? Something funny, something sentimental, something luxurious, a great experience? Let me know, and we can go from there.

Speaker 1: 6:13

As it's the Christmas holidays, there's not going to be an episode next week. So Christmas Eve there won't be an episode, mainly because no one's going to listen, because over Christmas there's probably better things you're going to be doing than listening to a school-based podcast. So enjoy that time with your family. Really appreciate all the support that I've had this year. I never thought I'd be in a position where I could do a weekly podcast and interview so many fantastic guests. But yeah, we're in this position, there's some fantastic guests lined up for january and there's going to be a big revamp on the whole school talk, social media, podcast, youtube side of it. Really really excited to share that with you in january, as always. Thank you so much for listening. I really really appreciate it. My name is chris shopsell. I am the host of school talk. And bye for now. I don't know why I always whisper now. Bye for now. Maybe I'll change that next year as well. Bye for now.