Gifts for teachers

It stands upright on its own steel stand by the coffee maker, so it’s always within reach. For the thickest foam, tilt the cup a little and keep the whisk near the top of the warm milk. No plug comes in the box, so it charges from a phone charger’s USB port.

• USB rechargeable
• Steel stand included
• Hardly any splashing

What owners say: It froths well and feels solidly made, according to its owners; the battery holds up between charges, it rinses clean in seconds and the steel stand is a favourite. No common fault turns up.

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Staedtler’s Dry Safe ink can be left uncapped for days without drying out, so a pen forgotten on the desk still writes the next morning. The ink is water-based, for writing and colouring rather than painting over, and washes out of most fabrics; the pens are airplane-safe and made largely from recycled plastic.

• 10 colours, 0.3 mm line
• Water-based ink
• Left uncapped for days

What owners say: Owners love the bright colours and how smoothly they write, with no bleeding through the page or smearing, and find the ink lasts.

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Amber, mixed and white settings with stepless dimming from 10 to 100% run from a low glow late at night to bright light for fine print. Clip it to the back cover of a paperback or the edge of an e-reader and bend the gooseneck so the head sits just over the top of the page. Four lights show the charge left, a full charge takes about two hours, and it folds small for trips.

• 12–90 hours per charge
• 3 light colours, stepless dimming
• Lights both pages evenly

What owners say: A very good book light in owners’ eyes, with several brightness levels and a charge that runs for ages. The range of light colours, the low weight and a clip that grips firmly all go down well, and its looks win fans.

A game takes about 15 minutes, or play to 500 points for a longer evening. Three blank wild cards each take a house rule, such as everyone passing a card to the left, then wipe clean for new ones next time, and a Wild Swap Hands card shakes things up. The 112 cards carry colourblind-friendly symbols, for ages 7 and up. Merle Robbins, a barber in Reading, Ohio, made the first decks in 1971.

• 2–10 players, ages 7+
• About 15 minutes a game
• Colourblind-friendly symbols

What owners say: Owners call it hours of family fun and say the rules are simple enough for every age to pick up, so everyone from the youngest player up can join in. They’re happy with what it costs, too.

It takes two standard suet cakes back to back, or small seed cakes instead, and a double-locking closure keeps them in when a woodpecker hammers at them. Peel the plastic trays off before the cakes go in, and hang it in a shady spot where woodpeckers already visit, as suet softens in strong sun.

• Suet cage
• Holds two suet cakes
• Feeds birds on both sides

What owners say: Owners call it well built and strong enough to come through hard weather, like the look of the roof and say it holds suet well with two sides to feed from; how many birds it draws varies.

The shaker holds 710 mL (24 oz) and the jigger measures 15 and 30 mL (½ and 1 oz), all in 304 stainless steel that Etens says can go in the dishwasher. Once the tin frosts over, take off the cap and the drink pours through the strainer in the lid, and the spoon stirs a Manhattan right in the glass.

• Martini shaker
• 15/30 mL (½/1 oz) jigger
• Strainer built into the lid

What owners say: Owners praise the quality for what it costs, find it handy for cocktails at home and say the tools look smart.

Heads up: There’s no muddler, stand or recipe cards in the box, so a mojito needs a muddler bought separately.

The bottle is PVC, and DICEVER says to fill it three-quarters full with water at about 80°C, hot but well short of boiling. Wrapped in its cover and kept under a blanket, it stays warm through the night by DICEVER’s account, and each bottle is leak-tested for 24 hours before it ships.

• 2 L PVC bottle
• Soft cloth cover
• Leak-tested for 24 hours

What owners say: Owners call it a real help with aches, warm for hours and soft to hold, and good value; whether it stays leak-free divides them.

Double-wall steel keeps water cold for up to 24 hours, and it measures 7.1 cm (2.8 in) across. The narrow mouth means ice cubes have to be small, so crushed ice or a small cube tray suits it best. Rinse the straw lid each evening, as the straw is where a smell starts, and wash the bottle by hand. It also comes in 946 mL (32 oz).

• 710 mL (24 oz) capacity
• Keeps drinks cold 24 hours
• Leakproof straw lid

What owners say: Owners report cold water all day from a bottle that doesn’t leak, and the colours draw compliments. Durability gets mixed reports.

The lid lifts off for mixing colours and has a slot that keeps the brushes tidy. The paint is sold as non-toxic. Leave the case open for a few minutes after painting so the cakes dry before the lid goes back on, and rinse the brushes in clean water straight after.

• 48 colours
• 3 brushes, water brush
• Brush slot in the lid

What owners say: The colours and the quality please owners, who call it practical for newcomers and welcome the brushes and the little water brush. Durability is the complaint: a few report a damaged palette or a loose or broken cake.

Both USB-C ports give up to 37W and the USB-A port 30W, on 12V as well as 24V. With all three in use the 67W is shared: the first USB-C port, C1, keeps its full 37W while the other two take what’s left. Give C1 to the phone that’s lowest on charge, or to the one running the maps.

• Two USB-C, one USB-A
• Fits 12V and 24V sockets
• Priority port keeps full speed

What owners say: Owners like having two quick USB-C ports and a third for whoever else needs one, and the light that shows it’s on; durability is where they part ways.