‘I’m a trainer – I secretly hate receiving three varieties of presents from my pupils’
A primary school teacher’s TikTok listing three Christmas gifts teachers don’t want has sparked fierce backlash from parents online.
As the Christmas holidays draw near, a woman is warning parents about the gifts teachers “don’t want”. With most UK schools wrapping up for Christmas by the end of this week, teachers are looking forward to a well-deserved break.
While it’s not obligatory, many parents choose to give their child’s teacher a small Christmas present as a token of appreciation. However, picking out the perfect gift for someone who isn’t a friend or family member can be quite a task.
From homemade cards and chocolates to candles and even Stanley Cups, teachers often find themselves carting home a boot full of presents.
Of course, there’s always that one child who brings in something rather unusual – last year, one teacher was gifted a half-eaten Mars Bar by a pupil, while another received a ‘borrowed’ engagement ring.
An American primary school teacher, Natalie, has revealed three items she would “rather not get” as a festive thank-you gesture, reports the Express.
However, after her candid TikTok admission, she’s been branded as “ungrateful”. The content creator, posting under @primaryfocus, garnered over 16,000 views after discussing the topic online.
She explained: “If you’ve been in the classroom long enough, you will have gotten one of these ‘gifts’ that’s not quite the blessing you hoped for. Here’s three gifts that teachers don’t want.
“Number one – anything in a Victoria Secret bag. I don’t care that you didn’t get them underwear, that lotion smells bad – and now you have a Victoria’s Secret bag on your desk. It’s just awkward.”
The second gift Natalie suggested teachers don’t appreciate is sweet treats for the entire class. The North Carolina educator explained: “Listen, it’s cool that you want to get everybody donuts but you need to ask ahead when and if the teacher is OK with that, because what it is for us is a giant sugar high from all of our kids and then the sugar crash. It’s just way too much sugar, especially for the little guys.”
She continued: “And last one, they don’t want your advances. I’ve had a few dads try to come on to me over the years and it is uncomfortable. Remember you’ve got the entire school year to work together. Maybe just go online and find someone.”
However, her bluntness triggered a fierce reaction from TikTok users, putting them off purchasing presents for their children’s teachers altogether. One user remarked: “Reason why I don’t give teachers c**p.”
Another posted: “Ungrateful.
“So negative, be grateful they got anything,” another added. One user wrote: “With ungrateful teachers like you, I’d rather not give anything to any teachers.”
A fellow educator hit back: “As a preschool teacher, it’s disappointing you think this way.”
Yet, another viewer backed Natalie’s views: “I agree with this video.”
Another user suggested that if parents do bring sweet treats for the class, they should distribute them before the children leave for home. They advised: “That’s why you pass the treats out right before dismissal.”
