Online debate: flowers for teachers on September 1 could cost a family of three kids at least €50
A mother of three sparked a social media discussion after calculating that buying nine bouquets for her children's kindergarten teachers on September 1 would cost at least €50, prompting other parents to suggest cheaper alternatives.
As the new school year approaches, a discussion has emerged in the Facebook group "Atsaucīgo māmiņu forums" about the rising cost of the Latvian tradition of giving flowers to teachers and kindergarten staff on September 1. A woman whose three children will attend kindergarten this autumn worked out that since each child has two teachers and an assistant, she would need nine bouquets in total.
She pointed out that even a modest bouquet costs five to seven euros, meaning the total expense could reach at least €50. She said both the cost and the idea of carrying nine bouquets to one kindergarten at once seemed excessive, and asked other parents for alternative ideas.
Parents' suggestions
Many commenters suggested giving each teacher or assistant a single flower — a gladiolus, sunflower or rose — instead of a full bouquet, or picking flowers from a home garden. Others recommended splitting one larger bouquet into several smaller ones, or buying a single shared gift for the whole staff group, such as coffee, tea, honey, chocolate or nuts. Some families said they had previously brought sweets or even a cake instead of flowers.
A teacher's perspective
A participant who identified herself as a teacher joined the discussion, saying she would prefer to receive a treat rather than flowers, since dealing with a huge pile of bouquets after the celebration is difficult. Other suggested alternatives included potted plants, small candles, soap flowers, paper flowers made by the children themselves, and magnets. One participant even proposed giving flowers a week later, once the bouquets received on the first day have already wilted.
However, not everyone agrees the tradition should change. Some parents believe flowers should still be given and that €50 for nine bouquets is not an unreasonable amount, noting that bringing flowers to teachers on September 1 remains a common practice.
