Here in the blessed British Isles there is no expectation at Christmas time to buy gifts for teachers.
There is none of that 'room mother' malarkey either.
In fact teachers are to consider themselves honoured if they receive a Christmas Card from a parent. Mostly they get nothing. Us Brits are nothing if we aren't stingy.
Here you take your kids to school leave them there and stay away.
Returning only to collect your kids or dutifully attend concerts and other presentations when permitted.
I am perfectly happy with this arrangement.
But at Christmas I go the extra mile, I want to make a good impression.
I want to let the teachers know I appreciate them both educating my kids and taking them off my hands several hours each week.
So again this year in a bid to make an everlasting impression I baked (if you can call stirring and chilling baking because really that is all the effort required).
I baked Banoffee pie, crisp chocolate biscuit crumb base, filled with dense swirled caramel and melted Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, topped with banana and finally whipped cream.
Delicious!
Why make the effort if it isn't even expected?It's all about being teachers pet.
And when I say that I'm not talking about the kids I am simply talking about me!
From the tears in Thomas' teachers eyes I'd say Mission Accomplished.
