‘Twas the Monday before Christmas and all over Twitter, primary teachers swapped stories of whose presents were the most surreal.

It is a cliche, but not less true for that, what teachers really appreciate is anything - even just a note - which has been handmade or chosen with thought.

But for every heartwarming, useful or simply calorific gift gratefully received, there is also the bemusement of getting a fish, inappropriate novelty underpants or a ceremonial horse cavalry sword.

And teachers taking part in the popular weekly #primaryrocks twitter chat yesterday added to the seasonal cheer with stories of both their best and worst presents.

For a start, one teacher shared one of those handwritten notes:

Then there is the item which would be useful - except you don’t own the thing it is used for:

Or are just too useful:

Really practical: 

Then there are the presents which appear dull but are actually a little magical:

And then there is the man who got the ultimate gift:

Inducing envy:

... and joy:

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