Advertisement

11 best gifts for teachers they will actually want

The Independent
The Independent

It’s safe to say that this final term has certainly been different for pupils, parents and teachers alike. And while the idea of present buying can seem like an insurmountable task – particularly if you’ve spent many weeks home schooling – let’s not ignore that good teachers deserve an end of term treat to thank them for all of their efforts.

To help alleviate some parent admin pressure we’ve been on the hunt for the best teacher gifts around.

You of course don’t have to buy solo, you may choose to buddy up with another classmate to splurge a little more on a present, and for that reason we’ve included a mix of price ranges from the crème de la crème to smaller tokens, such as cards.

It’s important to remember that teachers come as an assortment, and it’s not the case that one size fits all in terms of gifting.

We’ve found a range of gifts to suit different tastes, with ones you can eat, ones you can keep and ones they’ll be sure to show off to other teacher friends.

We have regarded personalisation highly as it really does make presents that little more special.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Morse Toad chocolate memory box: From £12.25, Morse Toad

image

This gift is as unique as it gets without costing the earth. A truly thoughtful present, personalise the creamy and caramelly Belgian milk chocolate with up to 22 characters – you can add stars and hearts too. If you want to go that extra mile add a framed photo – we think a class snap is a nice touch. As the brands says: “Somethings are better said in chocolate”, and we concur!

Buy now

Martha Brook any hobby foiled notebook: £12.95, Martha Brook

image

Teachers get through notebooks like they’re going out of fashion, so how about you treat them to one that’s a little bit special that they’ll want to treasure? We love this stylish personalised softback notebook from Martha Brook; choose from real gold, silver or rose gold foil and have it filled with 140 pages of lined or blank white paper as well as an extensive list of hobbies. The notebooks are hand produced in the brand’s west London studio, and are made to order, so if the hobby you want isn’t included, just type it out.

Buy now

One4all gift card: From £10, One4all

image

For those who say gift cards are a cop out present, we’d disagree with the One4all gift card.

Available in an exclusive “thank you teacher” design, give teachers the gift of choice by allowing them to use this hassle-free card at more than 55,000 stores and websites nationwide, including high street favourits like John Lewis & Partners, Marks & Spencer and Argos.

And if you're not going to be seeing your teacher before the end of term, you can opt for the One4all digital gift card, meaning you can send an instant digital gift to your children’s teacher via email or text – a completely contactless solution. It can be customised with a photo and a message, or even a video for an extra special thank you.

Buy now

Rex London blue scented candle in a mug: £9.95, Rex London

image

“Please not another mug!” cry teachers across the country. Well, that’s where this mug like gift is a little different. This is a two for one present; beginning its life as a gorgeous lime and bayleaf natural scented candle. But, after approximately 30 hours of burn time, your children’s teacher will be left with a lovely ceramic mug. Available in ivory and mint green too.

Buy now

Papier personalised undated weekly planners: £21.99, Papier

image

Teachers love nothing more than a bit or organisation, and this is seriously good-looking companion for their desk. With no fixed dates and 54 weeks to fill, it can be started at any point in the year (particular useful if they’ve received a dated planner already!). We love that this can be personalised too, and there are so many designs to choose from. At A5 size it’s great for when they’re on the move – because, you know, teachers have a life outside of school too!

Buy now

The White Company Seychelles diffuser: £27, The White Company

image

Many teachers will be hoping to float away to a far-flung destination once term is over, and while they might not be able to do quite that yet, we think this is the next best thing. The White Company’s bestselling scent is, for us, the Seychelles in a bottle; it’s sure to remind them of dreamy holidays gone by. This diffuser combines notes of bergamot, orange and amber – a true treat for the nostrils.

Buy now

Fortnum & Mason personalised champagne and chocolates box: £76.50, Fortnum & Mason

image

If you’re on the hunt for the crème de la crème of gifts, then this is it. This wonderfully presented swish Fortnum & Mason gift box is certainly one way to show your child’s teacher some appreciation. Open the lid to reveal a personalised bottle of its finest Brut Reserve champagne, which is delightfully crisp. Pull open the draw to reveal 32 marc de champagne truffles – the taste of luxury.

Buy now

Pocket Tiger thank you very much leopard print card: £2.85, Pocket Tiger

image

Sometimes a card says it all, especially one as eye catching as this one from Pocket Tiger. We love the colourful leopard print and shiny gold foil lettering. We even framed it as it looks great on a desk. Plus, it’s been hand designed in the UK by artist Eleanor Bowmer and made with FSC mix paper so it’s worth showing it off.

Buy now

L’Occitane clean and nourish hands duo: £27, L’Occitane

image

All that marking, board writing and lesson planning means come the end of an academic year teachers’ hands are in need of a touch of TLC. We love this mighty duo from L’Occitane – the 65ml verveine verbena sanitiser is the perfect desk pal for keeping hands clean and fresh, while the 150ml shea intensive hand balm is a nourishing treat and smells truly divine.

Buy now

Beer Hawk beery gift box: £20, Beer Hawk

image

Craft beer is having a real moment and for good reason. But with so much choice, selecting the right tipple as a gift is no easy feat, but we’re sure that this Beer Hawk beery gift box will be a sure sign of your appreciation. Included in the gift box are five beers, a packet of pitta chips, and a Beer Hawk aviero glass drinking vessel – just what a teacher needs at the end of term. We’re a big fan of the packaging too – plus there’s a designed gift tag on the side so the present giver can proudly sign their name.

Buy now

Mint Maker Studio personalised teacher reward rubber stamp: £18, Mint Maker Studio

image

This personalised wooden stamp is a lovely addition to any teacher’s stationery collection. Hand cut and custom made, simply add the name of your teacher and choose from one of three symbols: a smiling star, smiley face or thumbs up. You can even include a special reward or catchphrase that they're known for. This is a particularly great option for foreign language teachers as there are French, Spanish and German options.

Buy now

The verdict: Gifts for teachers

We couldn’t fault the service and thoughtfulness of Morse Toad’s chocolate memory box​ which shows appreciation while staying competitively priced. We were also enthralled by Martha Brook’s personalised hobby notebooks which really hone in on teacher’s interests.

Read more

11 best kids’ eco-friendly toys that make the perfect gift

10 best kids' gender-neutral clothing brands to have on your radar

10 best kids’ tablets for learning and playing games