WASHINGTON — Many teachers have seen their share of "best teacher" apple ornaments, paperweights and similar trinkets from students. And after a couple of decades, enough is quite enough.

"I'm grateful," says Ron Gheen, a physical education teacher in Warrenton, Va., "but you only have so much ... cabinet room at work and at home."

Teachers, generally a caring and supportive lot, often are reluctant to appear unappreciative of quirky or useless holiday gifts. But some will admit they've unwrapped some pretty odd presents, from dollar-store re-gifts and worn-out stuffed animals to pajamas.

It's an annual gifting quandary, beginning in preschool and tapering off around middle school, for teachers and parents. So we asked teachers across the Washington area what they thought about the holiday ritual. We talked to parents who were unsure about what to give, and to whom. We consulted school administrators, some of whom pointed out that many schools have policies limiting gift giving.

Several teachers say they appreciate the extra thoughtfulness of personalized gifts, such as engraved objects. Washington-area English teacher Tiyonna Jenkins, who says students tease her about crying when she laughs, was amused to receive tissues labeled "stop crying" and "get back to work."

Gifts acknowledging a teacher's particular interests or hobbies are also memorable. "You're their psychological project" during the year, says Zena Whitworth, who teaches English and journalism at a Washington high school. "They study you" to find out your interests. Whitworth, a fan of reggae, has received Bob Marley T-shirts and CDs along with green tea, which she drinks during class.

Homemade cakes and cookies can be a hit. "Some of the greatest gifts I got was when a mother made me some rolls ... or sent me a cake," says Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association in Washington. "It was something that they knew that I liked."

Gift cards are popular, with Starbucks, Staples and day spas as frequent choices. Gift cards for school supplies "are always well received because we're already spending money in this area" when classroom supplies run short, says Terri Connell, a suburban fifth-grade teacher.

Lavish gifts can put teachers in an awkward position and embarrass other students, parents or school officials. Sandy Walker, a former principal in suburban Chevy Chase, Md., says the wide range of household incomes in her school has resulted in some teachers getting more expensive gifts than others, which she thinks is unfair.

An appreciative letter can mean more than a material item, some say. Even better: "A note to the principal praising a teacher is welcomed and can help them in their professional path," says Bonnie Cullison, president of the Montgomery County (Md.) Education Association.

But high school English teacher Tumisha Alao points out that students or parents should not think gifts or kind notes will win better grades. "I've failed many kids who've given me gifts," she says.

Many parents say they feel some gesture of appreciation is important. For 10 years, John Gerson has been handing out presents and personalized thank-you notes to teachers, bus drivers, principals and anyone else his two sons value.

"You certainly thank the mailman and the newspaper delivery person," Gerson says. "So those involved in the daily success of our kids are at least as important or even more so."

Some parents contribute to a gift fund for teachers, but this, too, can raise problems. At one Washington school, the PTA introduced a short-lived program in which entire grades would pool money and all teachers received gift cards of equal value. But parents raised several objections: They didn't want their money to go to a teacher who didn't work with their child; they didn't want to be obligated to contribute in place of baking cookies or making homemade gifts; and they argued that the group gift took the creativity out of giving.

Some schools encourage book donations to the school library or giving money to other programs rather than gifts to individuals. Money pooled from parents can be helpful "because of the cost of things that I need and because of the school budget," Gheen, who teaches physical education, says. "I'd like to buy a climbing wall for the kids."

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