School’s about to be out for the summer, another year in education done and dusted.
Thanks to the pandemic, for the first time in a few generations, parents know firsthand how tough the essential job of teaching can be.
Decoding complex concepts, fact-checking important historical dates and trying not to reach for the calculator as they tackle maths equations, all while juggling the 9 to 5 - who didn’t breathe a sigh of relief when schools finally reopened?
Now that you’ve spent a year (perhaps more) in their shoes, you probably have more appreciation than usual for the nation’s teachers. Whether your kids are in primary school or they’re on the cusp of their university years, now’s the perfect opportunity to express your heartfelt gratitude to the frontline workers who have helped to grow, inspire and shape their young minds.
We’ve rounded up the best ideas below, with everything from drinks to desk-side accessories in the mix.
Shop the gift list below
F&M The Thank You Hamper
Knock their socks off with a luxury gift hamper from the one who does it best, Royal grocer Fortnum & Mason. Its Thank You hamper is the perfect gift for one teacher, or a special treat that can be shared with others in the staff room. There are five gourmet food and drink products inside, from tins of chunky biscuits, as well as chocolate truffles, jam and tea too. A delightful delivery that will spell out your appreciation to a T.
Buy now £85.00, F&M
Personalised Best Teacher Mug - The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Let your favourite teacher know the impact they’ve made with a thoughtful gift, like this bone china Very Hungry Caterpillar drinking mug. While the words ‘Best Teacher’ is fixed at the front, you can personalise the back with a short message. A cute idea that’ll brighten up break times.
Buy now £8.99, Etsy
FLOWERBX Very Violet Dendrobium Cut Orchid
Flowers are the ultimate thank you gift, universally received with open arms. FLOWERBX has this vibrant display that comes in two sizes: 10 stems or 20 for £15 more. Whether they display them on their desk or take them home to enjoy, it’s a foolproof idea for your favourite educator.
Buy now £65.00, FLOWERBX
Karakorum Crafts 3-tier painted metal tiffin box
They'll thank you every time they sit down to lunch with this beautiful painted lunchbox, made with three stacked compartments and a tiffin-style holder. There are a variety of colours available and it comes from a small business in the UK.
Buy now £55.00, Etsy
Mochi Mart Smiley Slippers
A cute gift for any gender, these retro slippers featuring a classic 90s smiley won’t fail to lift their day, even if they’re marking coursework late into the evening. Available in various colours and sizes.
Buy now £19.95, NOTHS
ComfyCozy Metal Flower Butterfly Bookmark
There are plenty of novelty bookmarks out there, but this pretty cutout lotus design offers an elevated version. A charm dangles from the main flower, helping them keep their place in their latest page-turner or textbook.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Papier Peony Notecard Set
Personalised stationery is a wonderful gift, and one that teachers in particular are bound to get plenty of use from. Papier offers a few personalisable designs but we think this watercolour peony inspired one is the prettiest. Comes with a set of white envelopes too.
25 for 10.
Buy now £25.00, Papier
The Little Botanical Monstera Ceramic
A lovely indoor plant that's both high impact but low maintenence, there's a reason why the Monstera is the It plant of the botanical world at the moment. The plant is delivered in an elegant ceramic pot that should work in all kinds of settings, from the classroom to their living room.
Buy now £33.00, John Lewis
The Wallet Ninja 18-in-1 Multi-Tool
Slender enough to slip into a Thank You card, this multi-tool wallet ninja will be the kind of thing your recipient will reach for time and again in an emergency - or just when they’re enjoying a well-deserved end-of-term beer. There are 18 functions to use, the instrument can act as hex wrenches, a can opener/fruit peeler, bottle opener, ruler, letter opener, box opener, phone stand and a screwdriver.
Buy now £10.99, Firebox
Le Creuset heart-shaped stoneware ramekins set of two
Share the love with this beautiful set of cerise heart-shaped stoneware ramekins from the experts over at Le Creuset.
Whether your recipient already has a budding collection of Le Creuset bakeware, or have always wanted to start one, you simply can’t go wrong with some small and easily stackable dishes.
Use them to make delightful heart-shaped soufflés, cupcakes, or simply as a pretty means to separate ingredients.
Buy now £30.00, John Lewis
Neon Ceramic Reusable Bottle with Straw Lid - 34oz / 1,000ml
Neon green and likely to cause a scene, this reusable bottle is designed to be seen. Okay, we’ll stop rhyming now.
We’re big fans of the fact that this triple-walled, vacuum insulated option is ceramic lined, which will prevent any beverage from being imbued with a slightly metallic or plastic taste.
Buy now £34.99, Frank & Green
Forest Therapy Diffuser Oil
Designed to help ground and restore the body and mind, this pure essential oil blend consists of cypress tree, Ho wood and pink pepper scents. Aromatherapy Associates describes this outdoorsy blend as refreshing, earthly and citrussy – making it a wonderful addition to your morning wellness routine. If you truly believe in the healing power of nature, go ahead and bring the outside in with this delightful scent.
Buy now £28.00, Aromatherapy Associates
Assouline Art Deco Style by Jared Goss hardcover book
A compilation of illustrations and photography, Assouline’s Art Deco Style hardcover book documents the historical design style that originated in the 1920s - and still remains popular today.
Compiled by Jared Goss, a former curator at MOMA, it’s a 300-page celebration of the unique aesthetic that includes a range of skyscrapers, automobiles, ocean liners, fashion and more.
Buy now £85.00, Net-A-Porter
Neom Organics London Happiness Standard Scented Candle
NEOM has established itself as one of the most hard-working fragrance labels where its diffusers, essential oils and candles are some of the most powerful on the market and give real bang for your buck. You need not even light the Happiness candle to enjoy the aromatherapeutic benefits of neroli, mimosa and lemon notes. The bouje is made with seven pure essential oils that are blended to create an uplifting aroma that will the tide on even the darkest of winter days.
Buy now £37.00, John Lewis
