Thongs, lube and a stolen radio: Teachers reveal their worst end-of-year gifts

School staff have also been given part-drunk bottles of wine, half-eaten boxes of chocolates and a sack of potatoes

The majority of teachers would just like something personal and cost-free as a gift, poll finds (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A thong, lube and a stolen car radio in a carrier bag are among some of the worst presents that teachers have been given as a thank you for their role in young people’s lives.

As the end of the school year approaches, parents will be scrambling together ideas for thank you gifts for teachers. Sweet treats and alcohol are common offerings.

But not all presents given to school staff at the end of the year are welcomed with open arms.

Teachers have been presented with a bag of potatoes, a "plan your wedding" book - despite having no marriage plans – and aftershave (for a female), parenting website Mumsnet has revealed.

A poll of more than 1,200 teachers and teaching assistants shows staff were given a part-drunk bottles of wine, a half-eaten box of chocolates and a re-gifted diffuser from a school raffle.

The majority of teachers would just like something personal and cost-free, according to the survey.

Asked what they would like to receive, the most popular answer was a personal note or card from a child (64 per cent), followed by a personal note or card from a parent (57 per cent).

Justine Roberts, Mumsnet founder, said: "This feels like a classic gifting struggle: hassled parents trying to do the nice thing but not at all sure what to give - and occasionally going very wrong indeed."

Ms Roberts suggested teachers were "inwardly quaking at an avalanche of scented candles" when they really wanted something cost-free and personal.

"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," she said.