I teach across the year levels being a specialist in gifted education as well as a maths/science teacher. In Australia, as menioned earlier, Christmas and end of the school year coincides, so presents are quite usual.
I always got lots, including from my final year (18 year old students). They were expressing their appreciation and their gifts are treasured. I have quite a few fairly ugly items, plus many gorgeous ones, which will NEVER be given away. Plus a suitcase full of cards. Most secondary students don’t give presents, but those who do tend to give fruit cake or wine. The other common gift was a book chosen to suit me. So there are a few books of which I have multiple copies. Being a puzzle fan, I was often given puzzles. I have even had presents sent from online students in America!
I now teach short extension courses. In one case, I only had the students half a day a week for four weeks. I adore spiders. The student turned up with a bead spider she had asked her mother to make for me just because she’d enjoyed my class so much. She made a card to go with it. Can you imagine how good that felt?
Salary or holidays have nothing to do with this. Nor is the actual present. Students are expressing their appreciation and I REALLY appreciate them doing so.
Lynne