The best gifts for teachers 2020
Photo: Element 5 Digital
We're completely in awe of our children's teachers and head teachers, many of whom have been working around the clock the past several weeks to make June school openings possible (some London primary schools have, remarkably, organised themselves so that all children have a chance to go back, if only for a few days).
The past several months of homeschooling have seen our teachers go above and beyond for our children, keeping them engaged in online classes, creating fun and educational videos for them to learn from and calling students to check in on them. They've also been juggling students and moving from class to class to accommodate different year groups, as well as teaching additional subjects. In short, we would hug and kiss them all... but for pandemic reasons, we won't.
While parents often join the class pool and give money towards a group gift card or voucher, if you want to fly solo or choose a personalised something, we've rounded up some fun and fantastic gifts for every single person you want to thank in the school.
Culture Whisper is your curated guide to the best of London. We may earn a commission for items purchased through our retailer links.
The gift for the home
Urban gardening is one of those lockdown obsessions that people will keep experimenting with (who hasn't loved growing - and eating - their own tomatoes?). Even those without a green thumb have been buying plants in bulk from Bloom & Wild and Patch. A planter is a fantastic gift for a teacher, male or female, with a plant or without. Oliver Bonas has a lovely selection starting at under a tenner - we're partial to this sunny yellow giraffe.
Giraffe Ceramic Yellow Planter, £16.50 at Oliver Bonas - buy here
The pampering, sustainable gift
Confession: we have purchased tons of LUSH products for our children's teachers this year. With items starting at under a fiver that look colourful and fun, it's a great one-stop shop when you need to buy for loads of different people (school office staff, assistants, etc.). You can also put together themed gifts for teachers, selecting a colourful bubble brush that resembles a paint brush for an art teacher or getting a Tender is the Night massage bar for a literature lover. If you're looking for sustainable gifts, there are tons of naked (packaging-free) products teachers of all ages and genders will love - we have yet to meet someone who isn't a fan of the brand.
Little Green Bag, £35 at LUSH - buy here
The jewellery gift
For those feeling emotional about their teachers - perhaps it's a teacher they've had across other children, or maybe their child is a 2020 leaver and they want to give something a bit special - a chic jewellery item should do the trick. Especially one you can personalise. Merci Maman is the favourite of the SW London mum crowd, and we think teachers will appreciate the simple, delicate and timeless pieces, like this pastille bracelet, which can be engraved on the front and back, and is available in 925 sterling silver, 18K rose gold and 18K gold plated.
Personalised pastille chain bracelet, £59 at Merci Maman - buy here
A really good book
What to give the person who's been recommending books to our children all year, and maybe even turned them into readers for the first time? A brilliant book should do the trick. Unless you know their tastes intimately, aim for a seasonal hit - this summer's must-read book is Korean author Frances Cha's If I Had Your Face, which explores extreme beauty standards in Seoul through the perspective of four young women.
A box of goodies
Leith & Gray is the easiest way to put together a gorgeous gift box for a teacher - or any other loved one, for that matter (including kids' gift boxes and new baby bundles). You can order a favourite teacher a pre-made "Thank You" gift box, which features a Spacemask, Loctoa chocolate bar and Molly and Izzie star bracelet (£16), or create your own bespoke box filled with goodies like alpaca bed socks, bath and body products, notebooks and jewellery.
Leith & Gray Custom Box, prices vary - buy here
For the science teacher
If you want to give a little something to a favourite science teacher - and you've done the whole periodic table mug already - we love this GnT glass beaker with stirring rod, and we think their chem teacher will, too.
Gin & Tonic Glass Beaker with stirring rod, £24.95 at Mint & May - buy here
The personalised pouch
This fun pouch is perfect for showing a teacher how much you care - and not only can you personalise it with your name and theirs and the year they taught, but you can add a short message saying "Thanks," as well as listing four of your favourite traits of theirs. The bag can be used as a travel pouch, cosmetics case or to store pencils and stationery.
Of Life & Lemons Personalised Report Style Pouch for teacher, £15 at Not On The High Street - buy here
The gift they'll use all the time
Chilly's bottles are a real favourite of ours that make brilliant teacher gifts since they'll always be toting their own water (especially if water fountains aren't available for use, as in present times). This bottle keeps drinks cool for 24 hours, hot for 12 and comes in Emma Bridgewater's lovely heart print (because when it comes to our teachers, we totally heart them).
Chilly's Emma Bridgewater Pink Hearts Insulated Leak-Proof Drinks Bottle, £25 at John Lewis - buy here
The summer tipple
A lovely bottle of something won't go amiss and works as well for the teacher you know well as it does for head you want to give an extra special thank you to because this year was insane. Mirabeau Rosé Gin is infused with provençal botanicals - Menton lemons, rose, lavender and thyme - and rosé wine for a taste that's absolute perfection (no wonder it took home Gold at the World Gin Awards 2020).
Mirabeau Rosé Gin, £35 at Waitrose - buy here
The self-care gift - that isn't chocolate
Self Care Co. candles, reed diffusers (and now, ceramic eco-cups) are top of the list of best presents we've ever received - and we think teachers will like them, too. Made with essential oils, these gorgeous candles use aromatherapy to help turn moods around and ease anxiety and stress. They come in lovely glass containers you can easily reuse - and scent combinations like Eucalyptus and Peppermint and Lavender and Orange. They also last for ages... go on, treat yourself to one while you're shopping.
Candles, from £25 at Self Care Candle Co. - buy here
The past several months of homeschooling have seen our teachers go above and beyond for our children, keeping them engaged in online classes, creating fun and educational videos for them to learn from and calling students to check in on them. They've also been juggling students and moving from class to class to accommodate different year groups, as well as teaching additional subjects. In short, we would hug and kiss them all... but for pandemic reasons, we won't.
While parents often join the class pool and give money towards a group gift card or voucher, if you want to fly solo or choose a personalised something, we've rounded up some fun and fantastic gifts for every single person you want to thank in the school.
Culture Whisper is your curated guide to the best of London. We may earn a commission for items purchased through our retailer links.
The gift for the home
Urban gardening is one of those lockdown obsessions that people will keep experimenting with (who hasn't loved growing - and eating - their own tomatoes?). Even those without a green thumb have been buying plants in bulk from Bloom & Wild and Patch. A planter is a fantastic gift for a teacher, male or female, with a plant or without. Oliver Bonas has a lovely selection starting at under a tenner - we're partial to this sunny yellow giraffe.
Giraffe Ceramic Yellow Planter, £16.50 at Oliver Bonas - buy here
The pampering, sustainable gift
Confession: we have purchased tons of LUSH products for our children's teachers this year. With items starting at under a fiver that look colourful and fun, it's a great one-stop shop when you need to buy for loads of different people (school office staff, assistants, etc.). You can also put together themed gifts for teachers, selecting a colourful bubble brush that resembles a paint brush for an art teacher or getting a Tender is the Night massage bar for a literature lover. If you're looking for sustainable gifts, there are tons of naked (packaging-free) products teachers of all ages and genders will love - we have yet to meet someone who isn't a fan of the brand.
Little Green Bag, £35 at LUSH - buy here
The jewellery gift
For those feeling emotional about their teachers - perhaps it's a teacher they've had across other children, or maybe their child is a 2020 leaver and they want to give something a bit special - a chic jewellery item should do the trick. Especially one you can personalise. Merci Maman is the favourite of the SW London mum crowd, and we think teachers will appreciate the simple, delicate and timeless pieces, like this pastille bracelet, which can be engraved on the front and back, and is available in 925 sterling silver, 18K rose gold and 18K gold plated.
Personalised pastille chain bracelet, £59 at Merci Maman - buy here
A really good book
What to give the person who's been recommending books to our children all year, and maybe even turned them into readers for the first time? A brilliant book should do the trick. Unless you know their tastes intimately, aim for a seasonal hit - this summer's must-read book is Korean author Frances Cha's If I Had Your Face, which explores extreme beauty standards in Seoul through the perspective of four young women.
If I Had Your Face: Signed Edition by Frances Cha, £12.99 at Waterstones - buy here
A box of goodies
Leith & Gray is the easiest way to put together a gorgeous gift box for a teacher - or any other loved one, for that matter (including kids' gift boxes and new baby bundles). You can order a favourite teacher a pre-made "Thank You" gift box, which features a Spacemask, Loctoa chocolate bar and Molly and Izzie star bracelet (£16), or create your own bespoke box filled with goodies like alpaca bed socks, bath and body products, notebooks and jewellery.
Leith & Gray Custom Box, prices vary - buy here
For the science teacher
If you want to give a little something to a favourite science teacher - and you've done the whole periodic table mug already - we love this GnT glass beaker with stirring rod, and we think their chem teacher will, too.
Gin & Tonic Glass Beaker with stirring rod, £24.95 at Mint & May - buy here
The personalised pouch
This fun pouch is perfect for showing a teacher how much you care - and not only can you personalise it with your name and theirs and the year they taught, but you can add a short message saying "Thanks," as well as listing four of your favourite traits of theirs. The bag can be used as a travel pouch, cosmetics case or to store pencils and stationery.
Of Life & Lemons Personalised Report Style Pouch for teacher, £15 at Not On The High Street - buy here
The gift they'll use all the time
Chilly's bottles are a real favourite of ours that make brilliant teacher gifts since they'll always be toting their own water (especially if water fountains aren't available for use, as in present times). This bottle keeps drinks cool for 24 hours, hot for 12 and comes in Emma Bridgewater's lovely heart print (because when it comes to our teachers, we totally heart them).
Chilly's Emma Bridgewater Pink Hearts Insulated Leak-Proof Drinks Bottle, £25 at John Lewis - buy here
The summer tipple
A lovely bottle of something won't go amiss and works as well for the teacher you know well as it does for head you want to give an extra special thank you to because this year was insane. Mirabeau Rosé Gin is infused with provençal botanicals - Menton lemons, rose, lavender and thyme - and rosé wine for a taste that's absolute perfection (no wonder it took home Gold at the World Gin Awards 2020).
Mirabeau Rosé Gin, £35 at Waitrose - buy here
The self-care gift - that isn't chocolate
Self Care Co. candles, reed diffusers (and now, ceramic eco-cups) are top of the list of best presents we've ever received - and we think teachers will like them, too. Made with essential oils, these gorgeous candles use aromatherapy to help turn moods around and ease anxiety and stress. They come in lovely glass containers you can easily reuse - and scent combinations like Eucalyptus and Peppermint and Lavender and Orange. They also last for ages... go on, treat yourself to one while you're shopping.
Candles, from £25 at Self Care Candle Co. - buy here
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