Is there a line between a heartfelt Christmas gift from a student and a bribe for better grades?

Folks in Alabama recently warned teachers accepting some gifts they are breaking the law, potentially facing jail time and a $6,000 fine.

The Alabama Ethics Commission recently handed down guidelines that apply to all public employees, but specifically discuss teachers.

"The suggestion that it is harmless for a school child to give a Christmas gift to their teacher ignores the potential for abuse," wrote commission chairman Braxton L. Kittrell Jr. in a 26-page statement.

“Suppose for example that a junior high school child is struggling and hopes by giving a nice gift to the teacher, the teacher will reward them with a better grade. Or that the high school senior who is attempting to get into a quality college, does the same thing.

"Finally, what of a college senior who is attempting to get into Harvard Law School? These examples illustrate the potential for abuse. What started off as a simple gift now may be attempting to corruptly influence official action.”

The commission listed several types of gifts deemed appropriate, including fruit baskets, homemade cookies, Christmas ornaments, coffee mugs filled with candy, items “of nominal value” and classroom supplies.

The issue has drawn national coverage, and today Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said he wants lawmakers to amend the ethics laws exempting teachers from the season gifts.

"We appreciate our teachers. They work hard all year to provide our children with the best education possible," Bentley said in a post on his website. "All year we ask them to do a lot with a little. And if parents or students want to show their gratitude by giving those teachers a gift during the holiday season, they ought to be allowed to do that. We need to make sure the law is clear. Teachers shouldn't be considered lawbreakers if they receive a gift from a student. "

But maybe by discouraging the gifts, the lawmakers were doing teachers a favor.

Washington Post columnist Janice D'Arcy asked teachers what they thought about gifts, and was told the practice can be awkward.

“I’ve seen it all, from tattered and beloved personal items like stuffed animals ... to a Hermes Scarf, $300 Macy’s gift card, coach wristlet, Italian wool scarf and gloves, etc,” the friend told D'Arcy, adding that the worst gift was an invitation to an expensive meal with a student, which she thought was uncomfortable.

I'm guessing that every educator has more apple-shaped “best teacher” ornaments on their Christmas tree than I have Mets ornaments on my evergreen. And I have so many that my wife bought me a separate tree to keep the tributes to my favorite team confined to the basement baseball room.

But I'm curious what our area teachers think about seasonal gifts. Do they accept them? And, if so, what do they like?

E-mail Dave Murray: dmurray@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterDMurray