By the end of the Christmas term, most teachers have a drawer full of mugs and enough chocolate to last until Easter. A good teacher gift is small, useful and a little bit different: something for their desk, or something to enjoy at home once the holidays start. Here are our favourite Christmas teacher gifts under £10 and £20, plus ideas for a class collection and a few notes on what works in a classroom. Prices were correct when we published this guide, and each product page always shows the current price.
The short answer
For under £10: a crystal wax melt bar (£3.50) to enjoy at home, a mini glass terrarium for the desk (£7.75) or a pouch of unscented candle sand (£9.60). For under £20: a small geometric terrarium (£12) or a glass bud vase on wood (£12). If the class is clubbing together, a larger terrarium for their home is a lovely shared gift.
Teacher gifts under £5
1. A crystal wax melt bar, £3.50
A 50g snap bar of fragranced wax set with real gemstone chips, a little treat for the first quiet evening of the holidays. When you do not know their taste, fresh scents are the safest choice: Golden Glow (fresh citrus) or Aquamarine Wave (coastal moss). See the full crystal wax melts range.
Teacher gifts under £10
2. A mini terrarium for the desk, £7.75
The mini terrarium on natural tung wood is about 13cm tall and sits happily on the corner of a busy desk. Pair it with an air plant from a garden centre (plants are not included): air plants need only a soak every week or two, so they cope with a hectic term, though they are best taken home for the holidays.
3. A pebble wax burner, £6.95
A smooth ceramic pebble wax burner in speckled off-white or matt black, for home rather than the classroom. Add one wax melt bar and it comes to £10.45, a complete little gift.
4. Three wax melt bars, £9.45
Three bars are 10% off automatically in the basket. Choose three different scents so they can find a favourite.
5. Unscented candle sand, £9.60
A 300g pouch of unscented white candle sand with four cotton wicks: a candle they pour themselves at home, and no guessing about scent. It needs a stable, heat-resistant bowl at least 10cm across with at least 5cm of sand; our guide to what to burn candle sand in has the details.
Teacher gifts under £20
6. A small diamond terrarium, £12
The small diamond terrarium, about 14.5cm tall in a brass-finish frame, turns an air plant into a small sculpture on a windowsill or desk.
7. A small terrarium on tung wood, £10
The small terrarium on natural tung wood is an open glass globe about 13 x 13cm, just right for a windowsill at home or school.
8. A glass bud vase on wood, £12
The small flower vase on wood holds a single stem upright. Pop a sprig of dried lavender in it so it is ready to display.
9. A cube on corner terrarium, £16.95
The cube on corner terrarium, a glass cube in a slim brass-finish frame balanced on one point, is a striking little sculpture for a desk. Our desk decor ideas show how it looks on a working desk.
A class collection gift
If parents are clubbing together, a bigger piece for the teacher's home feels special without being extravagant:
- 10. The large diamond terrarium, £29: a striking geometric terrarium about 20cm tall. See the large diamond.
- 11. The glass vase terrarium in dark tung wood, £35: a slim, green-tinted glass vase set into a block of dark wood, for an air plant or dried stems. See the vase terrarium.
- 12. The extra large ball top terrarium, £45: a large glass vessel on dark tung wood with a wooden ball stopper, for a moss landscape. See the extra large ball top.
What works in a classroom
- Keep flames at home. Most schools do not allow candles or burners in classrooms, so treat wax melts and candle sand as presents to take home.
- Choose low-maintenance plants. An air plant in an open terrarium is the easiest classroom plant; a moss terrarium needs more regular care.
- Think small. Teachers carry their gifts home on the last day of term, so compact pieces are kinder than big ones.
- Add a note. A few words from the child about something they enjoyed this term often means more than the gift itself.
Ordering in time
We dispatch within 1 to 2 working days, and UK delivery is a flat £4.99, usually arriving 3 to 5 working days after dispatch. Schools break up in mid to late December and carriers are busy, so order by early December to be safe.
Common questions
How much should you spend on a teacher gift?
There is no set amount. A small, thoughtful gift of £5 to £10 is plenty from one family, and many classes club together for something bigger.
What is a good Christmas gift for a teacher?
Something small and useful that is not another mug: a mini terrarium for the desk, a wax melt to enjoy at home, a bud vase or a pouch of unscented candle sand.
Are candles a good teacher gift?
They can be, as long as they are for home. Most schools do not allow naked flames in classrooms, and unscented is the safe choice when you do not know someone's taste.
What is a good class gift for a teacher?
A single nicer piece for their home, such as a large geometric terrarium or a glass vase terrarium, with a card signed by the whole class.
Browse every gift under £10 and every gift under £20, or see our Secret Santa ideas for colleagues.
