They are popular, tasty and economical - really, who would not want a bag of potatoes as an end-of-year gift?
And while there are some teachers who may wonder what impact they have made on a child who presents them with a kilo of King Edwards, there are others who will look at such thoughtfulness with envy: the teachers who have received gifts far, far worse.
A stolen car radio in a carrier bag, a part-drunk bottle of wine and (look away now) lube, these are among the all-time worst gifts mentioned by teachers and teaching assistants in a survey by parenting site Mumsnet.
And there is more. While 64 per cent of teachers and teaching assistants said what they really wanted was a personal note from pupils, among gifts given were:
- Jewellery “which I’m sure was stolen for me”
- A regifted reed diffuser from the Christmas raffle (“I know because I’d put the raffle ticket on it”)
- A “plan your wedding” book (“I was in no way close to getting married”)
- A thong
- A box of half-eaten chocolates
- Aftershave (“I’m female”)
“This feels like a classic gifting struggle,” Justine Roberts, Mumsnet founder, said. “Hassled parents trying to do the nice thing but not at all sure what to give (and occasionally going very wrong indeed), and teachers inwardly quaking at an avalanche of scented candles and wishing they could have something cost-free and personal.”
The survey of more than 1,200 staff found 47 per cent said they valued any present, with 77 per cent saying they worried that parents or carers may feel pressured into contributing to a whole-class gift and 68 per cent worrying that children may feel left out if parents can’t afford to contribute.
For parents’ struggling with what to buy - 32 per cent said they would like gift vouchers, 30 per cent said wine was welcome.
Ms Roberts added: “The ideal solution seems to be a low-pressure class collection for a voucher and a scrapbook full of messages from the small people concerned.”
And what happens to the unloved thongs, stolen car radios or potatoes?
Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of teachers who have received unwelcome gifts said they gave them to charity, while 42 per cent have re-gifted items. Just 11 per cent put unwanted presents in the bin - although one person admitted they forward unwanted gifts, without postage, to a former partner. Roasted.
