What do teachers actually want for gifts? As a preschool teacher I appreciated anything a student gave me, however, many of these well meaning gifts ended up on a shelf collecting dust. Among these are cute #1 teacher plaques, mugs, and key chains. Trust me, nobody can use twenty teacher mugs.
On the other hand, sentimental gifts that will remind us of the student, useful items for the classroom, or gifts that play to our hobbies are cherished. That being said, browse these teachers’ gifts for the UK, for an amazing selection sure to earn you top grades.
1. Literary Tour
Unique teacher gift ideas in the UK for those who love literature
You don’t have to be an English teacher to appreciate fine literature. While you may not know your teacher’s tastes in books, everyone will appreciate a tour of the classics. They can visit places written about in Sherlock Holmes or by Agatha Christie, or drink in establishments that inspired some of the greats. Or just give them a day out away from grading papers.
Teachers will enjoy creating their own sonnets with refrigerator poetry, small magnetic words they can rearrange to create their own stanzas.
A 100 books scratch off poster will keep your teacher busy for a while. You can even include one of the books on the poster as a starter.
Although I usually don’t approve of giving mugs as gifts, I am making an exception here. This last lines of literature mug is covered with the last lines of classic novels. It will provide entertainment when using the mug. Your teacher will have to search their mind to figure out what book each line is from.
2. Custom Tote Bag with Name
Personalised teacher gifts
A personalised bag is a useful teacher gift for carrying their supplies to and from school.
A personalised teacher ornament is a great keepsake gift. Include the student’s name and year. This way, the teacher will remember that student when they decorate their tree. My mum taught dance when I was a child. She still reminisces each Christmas about her students, as she hangs each ornament. This is a good way to keep memories alive without cluttering the shelves.
A personalised water bottle will be used every day by your teacher to stay hydrated. With their name on it, it won’t get mixed up with others’ in the staff room. Plus it will be a daily reminder of the student that gave it.
3. Union Jack Mini Fridge
Best classroom teacher gifts UK
Sometimes teachers work through their lunch breaks or need a morning snack. This mini fridge is the perfect size for the classroom to store food and beverages.
Another requested item is an electric heating lunch box. This has two sections and charging cables to heat food in the classroom. No more waiting in line in the teacher’s lounge to use the community microwave.
They will also appreciate some reusable travel utensils and straws.
4. Sweets Basket
Thank you teacher gifts
While you most likely can’t have a gift sent to your teacher’s home address, you can have some delicious treats sent to your teacher at school. Choose from a tasty variety of brownies, chocolates, and even vegan sweets. Then personalise the gift card.
To relax after a long day of teaching, a thank you candle will show them you know what they need most. Don’t forget a thank you card!
5. Personalised Planter
End of the year teacher gifts
Have a custom note engraved on a planter. Then fill it with soil and a plant. The teacher will remember the student as they watch the plants grow, long after the student has moved on. I was given a flowering plant years ago by a student. That plant’s seeds ended up growing a whole garden of flowers that I in turn passed along as gifts.
For an extra special gift, you can decorate a flower pot of your own with a set of paints made for ceramics and pottery. Get a pack of ceramic pots. Then let your student use their creativity to paint the pot. Make sure to include a thank you or saying on the pot, customising who it is from. I still have a flower pot a student gave me years ago. And I never forgot that student. The pots come in a pack of ten so you can use the extra for future teachers, your other children’s teacher gifts, or to use yourself.
If you are looking for a cheap teacher gift in the UK, you can give a seed pack with a note or personalisation. It will have the same effect, but the teacher will have to plant the seeds themselves.
6. Nuclear Physics Tie
Male teacher gifts UK
What should I gift my male teacher on Teachers Day? This novelty tie with a science theme is a useful, but amusing gift for male teachers.
Or you can get a pair of science of beer pint glasses which are etched with beer and hops chemistry molecules.
Which is the best gift for a male teacher? A pair of men’s best teacher socks. They all need socks, right?
7. Bath Bombs
Gifts for Teachers Day
Teachers need to unwind. A set of bath bombs will help melt away stress.
Or maybe an afternoon tea hamper filled with goodies is more their style. However, my favourite is a wine and chocolate hamper.
8. Maths Clock
Maths teacher gifts UK
Instead of actual numbers, this clock has equations. Their answers equal the number that should be on the clock. Test your maths skills to see how many you know. I only knew six.
For a male maths teacher, you can get a protractor and set square cufflink set.
For a female teacher, a pair of maths themed earrings will make an unusual gift.
9. Personalised Whistle
Specialty teacher gift ideas UK
A physical education teacher will love a whistle engraved with their name. This is both practical and sentimental.
Not sure what to get your music teacher? A guitar pen holder will add a whimsical note to their desk while being useful for holding pens and pencils.
An art teacher will love a Van Gogh Starry Night travel wallet. This is large enough to fit a passport, credit cards, and vaccination card. It will come in handy for travelling to amazing art museums world wide.
10. Cricut Machine
Best teacher gifts UK for primary teachers
This is a great gift from the class. Teacher’s often don’t get much time outside of class to use equipment in the teacher’s lounge. Having a cricut machine on hand will help them easily prepare for upcoming projects, while supervising the class. They will need some cardstock to go with it.
Teachers in primary grades also request personal laminators. Teachers often make their own teaching implements in the younger grades. A laminator helps them preserve their hard work for future classes. They will need laminating pouches to go with this gift.
11. Best Teacher Ever Fill in Book
Teacher leaving gifts
This gift is perfect for an end of the year gift or if a teacher is leaving during term. It has prompts to fill in for personalising the gift, making it a special keepsake. This could even be used as a retirement gift from the staff.
You can also give a digital photo frame that uses a USB. Parents and classmates can collect photos on a USB to go with the frame. Then the teacher can recapture all of those memories whenever they want. A photo collage canvas is also a memorable gift to be given by staff for a retiree or from the class.
12. Smartphone Sanitizer
Teacher Christmas gifts
Yuck! Teachers use their phones to look up projects, send emails, and contact parents, but they sit on the desk collecting germs. This smartphone sanitizer will kill germs and fits any phone.
Busy, busy, busy, teachers can use a coffee warmer to keep their coffee or tea warm until they actually get to drink it.
For some stocking stuffers get Burt’s Bees lip balms, hand creams, or these cute refillable cartoon sanitizer bottles.
13. Desk Caddy with Phone Holder
New teacher gifts UK for the classroom
This adorable desk caddy comes with a handy phone holder.
Teachers can also use personalised notepads. Classroom punch cards are great ways to set up a reward system for students. And teachers always need supplies, so they will always welcome Amazon gift cards.
A personalised door sign will label their door while adding a touch of personality to their new classroom. New teachers may also benefit from Take Control of the Noisy Class, a book with classroom management strategies.
Discussion