Decent Xmas presents for teachers

[QuaintPanda]

A friend and I are in charge of procuring the class Christmas presents for the teachers in our kids‘ class.

My friend wants to buy Best Teacher mugs and the like. I‘d like a present they could enjoy or benefit from.

Any teachers out there who could share what is really appreciated?

Two teachers for a class of 8-9yr olds. We don’t know them that well yet…

1. Male, early 30s, wicked sense of humour, due to get married soon. Specialist PE teacher
2. Female, late 20s, specialist English (as foreign language) teacher.

School is in Germany and we could probably stretch to €25-€30 (£20-25) per teacher. It’s a big class!

It’s a German company, was founded in Germany

they still have coffee places and shops similar to John Lewis

DB and his wife are both teachers, recently retired. They have over 300 “best teacher” mugs. They don’t really, but they can’t give them - even to their teacher DD!

As a teacher, I actually don’t hate the best teacher mugs. They are inevitable! And also a fun memory game to remember who each is from over the years!

But the best gifts for me are cards (or similar) with all the children recorded in some way (photo, handprint, drawing, signed etc), vouchers and, from the very best parents, a little “pick me up”.

The “pick me up” is delivered fresh at the final pick up of term. At the end of summer term it was a gianormous dragon fruit ice drink from Starbucks. I have also been delivered homemade paratha with daal (midday finish so perfect for lunch!). Especially if your kids are having a special last day party/trip/event that the teachers will have spent loads of time on, “pick me up” is magical!

Funnily enough I taught for 16 years and NEVER received a 'best teacher' mug! I try to tell myself that everyone was just more creative with their gifts, not that I wasn't actually the best teacher 😅

Amazon vouchers.

I had 11 Best Teacher mugs over my career.

I'm feeling hard done by as I've only ever had 1 'best teacher' mug and I've been teaching for donkey's years, I did get a lovely Labrador mug one year which I treasure.
Vouchers are good but I also really like the personal gifts. Christmas tree decorations are great as they are personal but small and useful.

As an ex teacher I think a lovely card with thanks is treasured.

Teaching is now not seen as a real profession by many, and I think giving gifts somehow undervalues it, you wouldn't give a gift to your solicitor or other professionals?

At the same time many people are struggling for money and I would like to think they could just get their own kids another gift .

Yes! A sandwich and a coffee on parents evening.

Honestly, most teachers I know would prefer something they can actually use or enjoy rather than another “Best Teacher” mug (they get loads of those!).
For your PE teacher, something simple like a decent insulated water bottle or a small Decathlon voucher would work well. A little pre-wedding bundle (nice socks + chocolate) could be fun too.
For the English teacher, maybe a bookshop voucher, a nice notebook/pen, or a cosy tea/coffee set. A small desk plant is usually a safe bet as well.
If you’re still stuck for ideas, this list was quite helpful:
https://worksheetzone.org/blog/christmas-gift-ideas-for-teachers