Obviously, the main reason we are all in teaching is the fact that we get lots of presents at the end of term - so what were your best and worst this year?

One of the oddest I ever had was a packet of Happy Shopper Jaffa Cakes.  I honestly thought I was dreaming.

I used to teach in an inner city primary where teacher presents were usually purchased from the 99p shop in the high street opposite. Having received one spangly plaster cat ornament too many the staff decided, collectively, to create a "special shelf" in the staff room for all the end-of-year gifts which held great sentimental value but which induced hives and vomiting in anyone with a modicum of taste. The kids loved it when their teacher cooed, "ooooh, that's so lovely, thank you, I'm going to keep it on the Special Shelf" and I have to say that, collectively, the array of day-glo 3D pictures, plastic flowers, little resin models of kittens holding hearts and, memorably, a clear plastic toilet seat with dolphins suspended in it, really brightened up the staffroom.

I like presents I can eat (chocolate), drink (wine), burn (candles) plant (plants!!!) or read (cards/letters). And nice cards and letters come top every time. Anything large and/or ornamental and I inwardly curse the lack of a Special Shelf....

 Ive not had anything bizarre but I had to giggle on monday.

Clearing out my cupboards and shelves, came across a little apple that says "best teacher" on it. It was sweet at the time, but has no function other than standing up like a little ornament so it had been just left in the drawer. So Im being ruthless clearing things out, into the bin it goes amongst other things - the kids will never notice, I thought.

2 minutes later. "Misssss Somebody put this in the bin! Isnt it lucky I found it?"

Back in the draw it is then.