When I retired from teaching, the PTA organised a lovely party in the parish Hall. Many parents came with flowers and gifts, mainly wine🙂. One parent had organised a book of memories in which, various former pupils, some at Uni or in work wrote their favourite memories of their time with me. No mean feat considering that they were only 6 or 7 when I taught them.
Not sure how much editing went on as all the comments were positive!
The staff and governors bought me theatre vouchers which was perfect and enabled me to see 2 plays at Stratford.
A month after retirement, my former TA came to visit and she gave me the "gift that was stuck in the post."
It was a digital microscope! They knew I enjoyed using the schools from time to time so felt I needed one of my own.
I've had a lot of use from it and now the grandchildren do too.