Gifts for teachers

A closer look: A small amount goes a long way, rubbed well into knuckles and fingertips after the last hand wash of the day. Being unscented, it suits anyone who finds floral hand creams too much, and the tube is small enough to leave by the shed door or in a coat pocket. Tuck it in alongside new gardening gloves as a stocking filler.

Why we picked it: A concentrated cream made for dry, cracked hands. Gardeners and builders swear by it.

• Highly concentrated
• For dry, cracked skin
• Glycerin barrier
• 80ml tube

What owners say: Works almost instantly on cracked hands and soaks in quickly.

A closer look: Long best-before dates mean it can be bought well ahead and tucked away until the day, and the tartan sleeve saves any wrapping. Add a favourite mug for a fuller present, or take it along when visiting so the kettle can go on and the box can be opened together.

Why we picked it: Edinburgh tea, Scottish shortbread and Walkers biscuits, gift-boxed for two. Ready-made for a cuppa and a catch-up.

• Brodies Edinburgh tea
• Scottish shortbread
• Walkers biscuits
• Gift boxed for two

What owners say: A nice selection, lovely tea and very good value. The Walkers biscuits are a hit.

A closer look: Two ribbon markers keep today’s page and a running to-do list open at once, and the expandable pocket holds receipts, stickers or spare sticky notes. The dots sit 5mm apart on ivory paper, a light guide for neat tables and habit trackers without committing to lines. As a Secret Santa, it suits almost anyone in the office, from the planner to the doodler.

Why we picked it: Thick 120gsm paper that pens don’t bleed through, in a smart hardback. For bullet journals, to-do lists or doodling in meetings.

• A5 hardback
• 180 dotted pages
• Thick 120gsm paper
• Elastic closure

What owners say: Lovely thick pages with no bleed-through, and it looks smart on a desk.

A closer look: Heat a mug of milk until it’s steaming, then stir until the chocolate has melted away. Each stirrer is wrapped separately, so the three can be shared out between people. Check before gifting: the marshmallows contain pork gelatine and the pack may contain traces of nuts and peanuts, so they don’t suit vegetarians or anyone with a nut allergy.

Why we picked it: Belgian milk chocolate spoons topped with mini marshmallows: stir into hot milk and there’s instant hot chocolate.

• 3 × 25g stirrers
• Belgian milk chocolate
• Mini marshmallows
• Snowman gift box

What owners say: Delicious, not too sweet and a lovely little gift.

A closer look: Everything comes ready ground, so it won’t suit a bean-to-cup machine that grinds its own beans; check how they brew before buying. Brew each origin the same way, one at a time, and the differences between, say, Brazil and Ethiopia really stand out. Once a pack is open, fold it tight, clip it and keep it in a cool cupboard.

Why we picked it: Six single-origin coffees from around the world, so he can work out whether he’s a Colombia man or an Ethiopia man.

• 6 single origins
• Ground, ready to brew
• Vacuum-packed
• Gift box

What owners say: Great variety and lovely fresh taste, and it looks smart enough to give as it is.

Heads up: The bags are tasting size (50g each), so it’s a sampler rather than a month’s supply.

A closer look: Loose leaf needs something to brew it in, so adding a simple tea infuser or a small pot with a strainer means the first cup can be made straight away. A lovely choice for friends overseas or anyone fond of London, and once emptied, the little tins end up holding spices, sweets or paper clips on a shelf.

Why we picked it: Six little tins shaped like London landmarks, from Big Ben to a red phone box, filled with loose-leaf English tea.

• 6 collectable tins
• Loose-leaf tea
• Big Ben, phone box, post box
• Reusable tins

What owners say: Lovely tea and charming tins that look more expensive than they are.

Heads up: The tins are small, so it’s a tasting set rather than a big stash.

A closer look: Rinse it with hot water before filling and the tea stays hotter for longer. After washing, check the silicone ring is sitting flat in the lid, as that’s what keeps it leakproof. Let the kettle settle rather than pouring in boiling water, keep fizzy drinks out, and open the lid slowly, as hot drinks build a little pressure inside.

Why we picked it: Keeps tea hot for the whole commute, and it fits under most coffee machines.

• 380ml
• Double-walled steel
• Leakproof lid
• Lots of colours

What owners say: Keeps drinks hot for hours, seals well and is easy to clean.

A closer look: Arriving in a plain grower’s pot, it becomes a finished present with a decorative pot a little wider than 12cm to sit it in. Come winter, cut watering back to once a month and let the soil dry out between drinks, as soggy roots are about the only thing that troubles a snake plant.

Why we picked it: Almost impossible to kill, happy with a drink twice a month, and it makes a new place feel like home straight away.

• 30–40cm tall
• 12cm pot
• Water twice a month
• Likes bright, indirect light

What owners say: Healthy, strong and growing well, and it stands out in any room.

A closer look: Open it with the tip pointing away from you and clear of passers-by, as the automatic spring is quick. Angle the canopy into a gust rather than letting it catch underneath, and the vented design and flexible ribs do the rest. Once home, leave it open to dry before folding, which stops the fabric turning musty.

Why we picked it: Nine fibreglass ribs flex in a gust instead of snapping, and it folds small enough for a coat pocket.

• 9 fibreglass ribs
• Auto open and close
• Compact when folded
• Bigger canopy than most folders

What owners say: Robust, well made and roomy enough to cover you and a bag.

Heads up: The auto-close takes a firm push the first few times.

A closer look: Alongside the classics you’ll find Parma Violets, a candy watch, a Wham Bar and a Drumstick bar, so it gets people swapping stories as well as sweets. With so many different sweets inside, glance at the ingredients if anyone sharing is vegetarian or has allergies. Set it out after a birthday meal and let everyone dig in.

Why we picked it: Fruit Salads, Black Jacks, Sherbet Double Dips and more: a box of pure nostalgia that tends to get shared (reluctantly).

• Classic 70s and 80s sweets
• Candy-striped gift box
• Ready to give

What owners say: A proper trip down memory lane. Owners love the variety and how the nostalgia gets everyone talking.

Heads up: Many of the sweets are mini sizes, so it’s about variety rather than volume.