Teacher chocolates

[Hedgehog17]

I am a teacher and we are reaching the time of year when people are so kind and give thank you presents, many of which are food (I have 2 beautiful homemade cup cakes and a box of chocolates yesterday and we still have a couple of days to go). The staff room is also even fuller than usual of cake/sweets/chocolate. I've been doing pretty well at resisting the staff room temptations but want to make a plan for the other treats this year.

I sometimes give a box to other family members although I'm not seeing anyone for a while this year. In the past I have sometimes take a 'eat it as quickly as I can and then it's out of sight/out of mind approach'. However, this year I think I'd like to work on being a bit more moderate/planned and 'training' myself out of the binge mentality. Any thoughts - what would/do you do?

[Besom21]

Give them to a children's home / charity shop/ old people s' home

[Kimbell3 in reply to Besom21]

I would give mine to the local hospital. They would raffle them or give to the nurses.

[Hidden]

What a conundrum. Children have made you cup cakes! Depending on the age of the children, ( if they are pre school or infant ) I think I'd feel honour bound to eat their home made gifts. I know that's not what you want to hear but I wouldn't be able to resist their bright little faces. Or have a little party, sharing the cakes with the children and making a big fuss about their baking skills? Maybe give away the shop bought stuff? There's less invested in those offerings?

For next time, year long 'subliminal' advertising about how much you love flowers?

[Hedgehog17 in reply to Hidden]

I do sort of feel 'honour bound' to eat them too - especially when the cupcakes were personalised to me! I also am just very touched that people want to give me things and want to appreciate them (and I like chocolate!).

[Hidden in reply to Hedgehog17]

Just don't do what a friend of mine did, on receiving a cute frog ornament. She was a bit too effusive in her appreciation and now has an extensive frog collection! ( maybe hedgehogs in your case? )

[Hidden]

Of course you are touched, who wouldn't be. And there's so much more to a gift from a child, particularly if made themselves. It's an expression of love, appreciation and leave taking that they cant yet make verbally. Enjoy the hols.

[Gaynor123]

Hi i also work in a nursery and had loads of cakes and pressies.mostly chocolate s.i made a big fuss off the children and thanked them but left all the cakes for the others to share and had gifts that wasnt choc related.this way the kids didnt no.i ended up with 3 boxes which i give to my family.its a hard onei didnt want the tempation x good luck...

[Hidden]

You can still make a big fuss about how lovely they are and how you are not going to eat them now but you are going to save them for the holidays. Then you could drop them off at your local hospice. X

[Hidden]

I agree to donate them. In our medical office, we get homemade treats all the time. It's really hard but I don't even look at them.

[AmandaB71]

Hi Hedgehog17 I'm very impressed with your self control!!! How about donating them to a nursing home I'm sure they'd brighten someone's day

[Hedgehog17]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

[EllaMidlands]

Hi, I am a teacher too. One year when I was a student I was given 22 boxes of choc/sweets. I brought them home and shared them with my housemates - luckily there was a lot of us. These days I get a lot less, mainly cus I don't have a class as I am a deputy and also no many parents buy gifts as we try to discourage it as not many can afford. I would give them away to a neighbour, anyone! Don't have them in the house or you will eat them. Maybe pick your favourite box to eat. Mine would be maltezers.

[13Valerie]

Hi hedgehog17 you're not the only one with this dilema!!

My children's school sent a note to the parents thanking them for their kiddness in previous years at Christmas and Summer. They acknowledged the expense involved and the importance to the children of being able to be thankful to people who are kind to them. They then made some suggestions for what the teachers love to receive from their class.. a handmade card, a drawing, a homemade cookie or cupcake ( the little birds will love these)

The important thing is to show delight and appreciation for the gift and tell the children that you'll have it at break when you can show it to the other teachers. You don't need to eat it.

Boxes of chocolates are very much appreciated by charity shops, youth clubs, libraries, theatres who can put them in hampers for a raffle.

Best wishes and enjoy the hols💟