As I learned on the blog last year, teacher gifts can be as surprising as a calm, quiet classroom the friday afternoon before a vacation. Some gifts you just could never see coming.

Some of my best and worst "teacher gift stories" include:

"I got half a bottle of Lady Stetson one year from a kid who stole it from him Mom. I talked to his Mom and she was really filled up though, that her kid wanted to give me something and wasn't mad that he took the cologne. She told me that I had to keep it. I put a little on at school that day so the kid could smell it on me--I was one fragrant man that day!" - Mike

"I love consumable gifts. Funny enough I just had one student ask which was my favourite: green tea or cocoa. Right away another student asked if I like Hedgehog chocolates. I wonder what I'm getting? Yummy" - Classroom Queen

"Best gift: by far home-made tamales. I get them every year.  Worst gift: a calendar with cute puppies." - John Spencer

"Best gift? Six pack of Diet Coke. Worst gift? a 10 pound bar of milk chocolate. I was sick for weeks." - Anonymous

"anything even remotely personal is extra special---even the stuff that relates to my classroom theme is thoughtful. and heck, i just like presents!!! it really is the thought that counts with these guys. i like the cards and notes that go with the presents too.
and those xmas tamales--yummy!"
--mz.w

Now that we've had a good laugh, here are your Top 12 Holiday Teacher Gifts:

Gift Cards  

• Restaurants and coffe cards
• Books & School Supplies
• Spa certificates (you've certainly earned the relaxation?)

One of my teacher friends coasts on her holiday gift cards  (Panera, Starbucks, Target, you name it) that she gets from her students every year at Christmas. for months. Gotta love working at a private school in an upper middle class neighborhood. The pay isn't through the roof, but there certainly are some perks. 

Most teachers I know don't make out nearly as well, at least in gross cash value.  

Homemade Creations

• Cards
• Holiday-themed art projects

These homemade knickknacks are mostly from the littler kids and come with a built-in heartwarming factor. 

The Gift of Good Smells

• Candles
• Lotion

This category encompasses all things Bath and Body, which are hit or miss depending on the smell. (Even opening a cucumber melon lotion from three blocks away makes me nauseous).

Tasty Treats

• Candy
• Cookies or other Baked Goods

Foody gifts are always fun and an easy go-to for budget-friendly gifty. They're sweet at first, but they may come back to bite you, significanly larger than in November, behind. 

Holiday Decor

• Christmas-themed ornaments
• Snowmen and Santas

I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff, which has a way of being unusually cute... but you're running out of places to put them.

Last year, my mom's entire basement was overrun with snowmen on every available surface. It was like they were building an army and rising up against the impending spring. The snowball war is coming, so watch out.

Forget Jack Frost, You Got Jack Squat 

• Zip, Zilch, Nada

And then you've got the saddest gift of all....nothing (which most high school and city teachers I know are looking forward to this year).

Maybe you should hint to students that gifts don't have to be materialistic, maybe they could just be on their best behavior. That would be the greatest gift of all!

What is the best or worst gift you've gotten from a student? Share in the comments section!

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