Teachers share the Christmas gifts they really don't want. It's a wakeup call to us all.

Back in grade 10, I remember my business teacher telling me that he secretly gave away most of the gifts he received at the end of the year.

We were packing up the class after school, it was term four, and he had received another box of chocolates and bottle of wine from a student.

He gratefully said thank you, but the gift was problematic for two reasons:

1) Mr A. didn’t drink

2) He had lost about 50 kilograms that year and the chocolate wasn’t helping

Was the student to know about this? Maybe the weight loss, but they can’t be blamed for adding to his cellar of thanks-for-a-great-year wine.

The truth was, Mr A. stacked up the chocolates, mugs, and bottles of wine every single year. Often, the same students giving him a new mug 12 months later.

So, on behalf of every Mr A. out there who is a little bit done with smiling politely at another ‘WORLD’S GREATEST TEACHER’ cup, here is a public service announcement.

Wants…

In a 2016/17 survey conducted by GroupTogether, they asked teachers for the truth on the gifts they receive.

In all honestly, teachers really don’t expect anything.

However, if you are going to spend your money on something, opt for a group gift that gives them choice.

• Winner: Voucher from the class
• Runner-up: Other Group Gift from the class
• Always cherished: Any card with words of gratitude or acknowledgement

Dear parents, this is everything teachers want you to know. (Post continues after audio.)

“Whole class gift voucher works a treat, although as a teacher any form of appreciation from a student or parent is treasured,” one teacher wrote.

“Definitely pool gifts with either the whole class or other families if cost is an issue to avoid 20 boxes of $5 chocolates,” another added.

To cross off…

In no surprises, teachers would prefer these didn’t end up on their desk (again):

1. Mug
2. Hand Cream
3. Chocolate/Food Items
4. Perfume
5. Pen
6. Candle
7. Pot Plant
8. Stationery

If you’re still scratching your head for the perfect gift, GroupTogether recommends coming together as a class, with everyone chipping in $10. If there’re 25 kids in that class, then a $250 gift voucher could be given to the teacher, on behalf of the class.

That could be a spa voucher, night away, dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Or, just a voucher to a major retailer where the teacher can then decide on what they really want.