A woman has issued a stark warning to parents about the sorts of presents teachers really don't appreciate, as the festive season approaches.

Although it's not compulsory, many parents like to offer a small token of appreciation to their child's teacher, but the dilemma of what to choose for someone who isn't in your immediate circle can indeed be tricky.

From homemade cards to chocolates, candles, and the odd Stanley Cup, teachers frequently find their cars laden with an array of gifts at this time of year. Yet, there's always that one instance that sticks out.

One teacher explained she received a half-eaten Mars Bar, while another an illicitly acquired engagement ring from their students, reports The Mirror.

A teacher from the US, Natalie, revealed her list of items she would "rather not get" come Christmas time on her TikTok channel @primaryfocus. However, the post stirred controversy, with some calling her "ungrateful".

She shared in her online discussion: "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 two gifts that teachers don't want.

"Number one - anything in a Victoria's 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."

She continued: "Listen, it's cool that you want to get everybody doughnuts, 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."

However, her blunt remarks have not gone down well with some viewers, leading to a backlash in the comments section. One viewer expressed their frustration by saying: "Reason why I don't give teachers c**p."

Another one remarked: "So negative, be grateful they got anything," while a third one added: "With ungrateful teachers like you, I'd rather not give anything to any teachers."

A fellow educator shared their disappointment in Natalie's attitude: "As a preschool teacher, it's disappointing you think this way."

Yet, there were those who agreed with Natalie's perspective, with one person commenting: "I agree with this video." To mitigate the issue of sugary treats, another user suggested: "That's why you pass the treats out right before dismissal."