If you didn't already know, Christmas is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year - or at least, that's what people say.

But at one school in in Nebraska, children were facing a rather miserable festive season after their headteacher attempted to 'ban' a variety of Christmas items from classrooms.

Principal Jennifer Sinclair of Manchester Elementary School in Elkhorn, sent a memo round to staff advising them on what would be deemed acceptable and unacceptable in terms of Christmas decorations and school assignments.

Principal Jennifer Sinclair of Manchester Elementary sent a memo round containing very specific Christmas guidelines for staff

Teachers were told that generic winter-themed items, such as sledding, hot chocolate and Olaf from Disney's Frozen, were allowed.

Among the list of "not acceptable" items were Elf on the Shelf, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, Christmas music, anything red or green and reindeer.

The principal also took specific issue with candy canes, as she deemed them to have religious significance.

Disney character Olaf, from Frozen, was deemed "acceptable"

In her memo, she wrote: "Historically, the shape is a 'J' for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection.

"This would also include different coloured candy canes.

"I feel uncomfortable that I have to get this specific, but for everyone's comfort I will."

Sinclair has been dubbed a "Grinch" for her long list of banned items

She went on to explain that these decisions were made in order to be "sensitive to various religions, cultures and beliefs" before signing the memo from "The (Unintentional) Grinch who stole Christmas (from Manchester)".

Following the circulation of the bizarre Christmas 'guidelines', RT.com reports that upset school staff got in touch with the Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based First Amendment group.

The group are thought to have penned the school district a letter, asking them to reverse the ban.

Santa and anything red or green were considered "not acceptable" (stock photo)

Sinclair has since been placed on administrative leave.

In a statement The Elkhorn School District told Fox News: "The memo does not reflect the policy of Elkhorn Public Schools regarding holiday symbols in the school."

Their policy states that "Christmas, Santa Claus and Easter eggs and bunnies are considered to be secular, seasonal symbols and may be displayed as teaching aids provided they do not disrupt the instructional program for students."