Gifts for teachers

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: On the first light, let each candle burn until the melted wax reaches the edge of the tin, usually an hour or two, which stops it tunnelling down the middle. Trim the cotton wick a little before relighting, and once a candle is finished, the patterned tin is handy for hair grips, buttons or paper clips.

Why we picked it: Four soy candles in lavender, fig, spring and lemon, each burning for over a day, in a gift box with a card.

• 4 soy wax candles
• Lavender, fig, spring, lemon
• 25–30 hours each
• Gift box and card

What owners say: Beautiful scents and pretty tins. Owners say the people they gave them to were delighted.

A closer look: Wrap it with a pair of earrings or a ring already sitting in the leaf and the gift explains itself. The white glaze wipes clean, so a quick rinse brings it back if it collects dust or smudges of hand cream. Sized for a day’s rings and studs rather than a whole collection, it suits someone who wants a landing spot by the bed, not proper storage.

Why we picked it: A small glazed leaf that gives rings and earrings a home by the sink or the bed, and looks far pricier than it is.

• Glazed ceramic
• Leaf design
• About 11cm long
• For rings, earrings and keys

What owners say: Looks expensive and beautifully made, and it’s perfect on a bedside table.

A closer look: At 30ml, each tube is small enough to go straight into the clear liquids bag for a flight. The orange blossom scent is fresh rather than heavy, and the tubes come in a mix of leopard and rose prints, made with half recycled plastic and packed in a card box.

Why we picked it: Three pretty handbag-size tubes with shea and cocoa butter. A little bit of Cath Kidston cheer for a few pounds.

• 3 × 30ml
• Orange blossom scent
• Shea and cocoa butter
• Vegan

What owners say: A lovely scent, soft non-greasy feel and great value. Perfect for handbags.

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: 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: 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: Each sachet is one measured serving, so there’s no guessing at scoops; heat the milk gently rather than letting it boil. The recipe contains milk and soya, which is worth checking if the recipient has allergies. Tucked into a big mug with a bar of their favourite chocolate, it makes an easy and generous winter present.

Why we picked it: Made with real chocolate flakes rather than powder, from the British chocolatier. Tastes like a treat from a proper café.

• Real chocolate flakes
• 50% cocoa milk
• 20 single-serve sachets
• Works in a Velvetiser

What owners say: A rich, not-too-sweet flavour that becomes their go-to drink.

Heads up: Whisk it well, or use a milk frother, for the smoothest cup.

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.