Gifts for teachers in Australia

What teachers use

Ask a teacher and the answer is the same: a note from the child, then something small they can use up. Hand cream, a good cup for the morning coffee and a treat for the staff room all get used. Mugs with slogans and candles mostly do not.

Match the gift to the teacher. A primary teacher may love a Haigh's tin they can keep for paper clips. A secondary teacher on playground duty at 8am will use a Huskee or Ever Eco cup. Teacher aides and specialist teachers are thanked far less often, so include them. A box of chocolate for the staff room covers everyone at once.

Budgets and class gifts

From one family, under $30 is plenty: a Sweet William block, the Lanolips balm, a Huskee cup or the Leif balm. Some schools discourage gifts, so check first.

A class collection can buy a Readings gift card, which arrives by email in about 15 minutes and works online or in store, or the Koh Living hand cream set for the whole teaching team. Pick one parent to collect and ask every child to sign one card.

Allergies, heat and timing

Many classrooms are nut-free. The Haigh's tin contains almond, and the Leif and Koh hand creams contain nut oils. Sweet William chocolate is made free from dairy, nuts and gluten, which makes it the safe treat here.

Most Australian teachers get gifts at the end of the school year in December, in the heat. Chocolate shipped then can melt, so buy Haigh's in store if you can. The tea advent calendar needs to arrive before December 1. If you are late, the Readings card is the answer. Whatever you choose, add a short note from the child about something the teacher did that year. Many teachers keep those notes in a drawer for years, long after the hand cream has run out.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for a teacher?

Something small and useful that gets used up: hand cream, good pens, a notebook, coffee or a book gift card. Teachers wash their hands and write all day, so these get real use. Avoid mugs and ornaments unless you know they want one. Most important of all, include a short note from the child about something that teacher did that year.

How much should I spend on a teacher gift?

From one family, $10 to $25 is normal and plenty. Some schools set limits or discourage gifts, so check first. A class group gift is a good way to give something bigger, such as a book gift card or a charity gift, while each family spends only a few dollars. A heartfelt note costs nothing and is often valued most.

Are gift cards good teacher gifts?

Yes, especially for books. Many teachers buy books for their classroom or read during holidays, and a bookstore card lets them choose. Digital cards from Readings or Birchbark Books arrive by email, which helps if you are late. Coffee shop cards also work. Write a short note to go with the card so it does not feel impersonal.

What should you not give a teacher?

Mugs, novelty ornaments and anything with apples on it are the classic over-supplied gifts. Strongly scented products can bother some people, and food with nuts is a problem in nut-free classrooms. Skip alcohol unless you know the teacher and the school are fine with it. Anything personalised with their name is hard to pass on.