Gifts for lovers, a business in its own right?

It’s almost time for the big parties. And also the moment, for some children, to offer a gift to their teacher. Cards, pens, cups, bags, water bottles and other chocolates have been piling up on teachers’ desks for a few days. “It’s important because they keep the children all year round, it’s not always easy,” a mother humorously comments as she leaves a Norman school, into the microphone of bfm tv.

“I had cups, small candles too”, lists Julie, one of the school’s teachers, also referring to the small gifts made by the children themselves such as “cards to plant or small key holders”. The director, Valérie, was also entitled to her gifts. Memories that she treasures since her arrival at the establishment ten years before. “We really feel that people have sought to touch the person’s heart,” she admits to bfm tv.

Social networks

In stores or e-commerce, there are now shelves dedicated to “teacher gifts” during the last weeks of the school year. “Our sales of products on this topic have increased by 35% in three years,” confirms Thibaut Ringo, general manager of Altermundi, to BFM business. The brand dedicated to eco-responsible products that offers a whole range of products in its dozen stores or on its website.

“We really passed the second” after the health crisis, says Thibaut Ringo, for whom this responds to a need to show his “recognition of the work of teachers.” Beyond Covid-19, it is also social networks and WhatsApp groups that are increasingly pushing parents to offer gifts to their children’s teachers, following in the footsteps of other families. For some, however, “teacher gifts” are far from a new trend in schools.

around 10 euros

On the e-commerce site, which specializes in “vintage” gifts, products around 10 euros sell better. “It has always been a little attention more than a great gift”, explains Frédéric Gomes. Brands have got it right: “gifts to lovers” fall on cue at the end of June, just after Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. In most cases, these are the same products where “thank you ma’am” replaces “thank you mom.”