Christmas Gifts for Teachers: 25 Thoughtful Ideas Under £15
WearMoods
Short on time? The quick answer
- The rule: pick something useful, consumable or personal. Skip the "World's best teacher" mug.
- Always add a note. It's the bit teachers keep. Use our free printable thank-you card.
- Clubbing together? See the class collection maths.
- Are you a teacher doing the staffroom Secret Santa? Jump to staffroom ideas.
Teachers receive a lot of mugs at Christmas. If you'd like your child's gift to stand out, without spending much, keep it simple: something they'll use, something they'll enjoy, or something your child made. Here are 25 Christmas gifts for teachers under £15, and a free card to go with them.
The teacher gift rule
Free printable: a thank-you card your child fills in
A handwritten note from a child, saying what they enjoyed this term, is the gift teachers talk about. Our printable makes it easy, even for children who don't know what to write. There's one for the class teacher and one for the teaching assistant on each A4 page.
25 Christmas gifts for teachers under £15
Consumable (they won't clutter the house)
- Good chocolates: a small box of the good stuff.
- Speciality tea or coffee.
- Hot chocolate and marshmallows.
- Biscuits from a local bakery.
- A small bottle of something festive. Check your school's policy first.
- Hand cream. Board markers and constant hand-washing take their toll.
- Lip balm in a winter scent.
Useful at school and beyond
- Nice pens. Teachers can never have too many.
- A good notebook or planner.
- A travel mug that keeps tea hot through break duty.
- A water bottle.
- A tote bag for carrying marking home.
- A desk plant.
- Stickers and stamps for marking.
Cosy gifts for the end of term
- Christmas socks. A fun, practical present for the last week of term, and perfect for Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 10 December. Our festive pairs are £5 each, or four designs in a gift box for £15.
- A scented candle. Go for a gentle scent.
- Bath salts for a well-earned soak.
- A blanket scarf.
- A paperback for the holidays.
Gifts for male teachers
- Festive socks: navy Starry Forest is subtle enough for school; bright red Ho Ho is perfect for the last day of term.
- Good coffee.
- A quality travel mug.
- A puzzle book for the staffroom.
Class collection gifts
- A voucher for a bookshop, garden centre or local restaurant, with a card signed by every child.
- A hamper of treats chosen by the class.
Starry Forest£5 · subtle enough for school
Ho Ho£5 · for the last day of term
Gift box, 4 pairs£15 · split between staff
Clubbing together? The class collection maths
A class collection takes the pressure off everyone and buys something better. Here's what a typical class of 30 raises at different amounts per family, and how you might split it between the teacher and teaching assistant:
| Per family | Class of 30 | One way to split it |
|---|---|---|
| £1 | £30 | £20 voucher for the teacher, £10 treat for the TA |
| £2 | £60 | £40 for the teacher, £20 for the TA |
| £3 | £90 | £60 for the teacher, £30 for the TA |
Tips for the parent organising it: make it optional and anonymous (a pot or a link, with no list of who paid), set a deadline a week before term ends, and ask every child to sign the card, whether or not their family chipped in. Check the school's gift policy first: some have a value limit.
Don't forget teaching assistants
Teaching assistants, lunchtime staff and the school office often go unthanked. A small gift, like a pair of Christmas socks, chocolates or a card, goes a long way. If you're buying several small gifts, a 4-pair gift box split between staff works out at £3.75 each.
Teacher Secret Santa: ideas for the staffroom
If you're a teacher and you've drawn a colleague's name, the usual rules flip: they already have the mugs and candles from their class. What goes down well in a staffroom Secret Santa is something for the last week of term or the holidays:
- Christmas socks to wear on the last day, or on Christmas Jumper Day if your school takes part.
- A treat for the drive home: good coffee, a fancy chocolate bar, a hot chocolate kit.
- Something that isn't about school at all: a paperback, bath salts or a puzzle book for the holidays.
Keep to the agreed limit and keep it light. For more ideas at £5 and £10, see our Secret Santa gifts under £10 guide.
One box, four thank-yous
The Christmas Mood socks gift box has four festive designs for £15: one each for the teacher, the TA, the lunchtime supervisor and the office. Wrap each pair with one of our printable cards.
Save it for the end of term
More guides for parents and schools
- Christmas socks and gift boxes: £5 a pair, or four in a box for £15
- Christmas Jumper Day 2026: ideas for school, plus free bingo
- School fundraising ideas for PTAs and Christmas fairs
- Stocking filler ideas for men under £15
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on a teacher's Christmas present?
There's no expectation to spend anything. A heartfelt card from your child is just as welcome as a gift, and a class collection lets everyone give a little.
Can teachers accept gifts?
Most schools allow small gifts, but some have limits on value or rules about alcohol. If you're unsure, check with the school office.
What's a good teacher gift for a man?
Festive socks, good coffee, a travel mug or a puzzle book are popular, practical choices for male teachers.
What's a good Secret Santa gift for a teacher?
Something for the end of term rather than the classroom: Christmas socks for the last day, good coffee or chocolate, or a paperback for the holidays. Teachers already get plenty of mugs.
What should my child write in a teacher's card?
Something specific: their favourite thing from this term, something the teacher helped them get better at, and why they're a great teacher. Our printable card has those prompts built in.
Should we buy for the teaching assistant too?
If you can. TAs often work as closely with your child as the class teacher. A small treat and a card is plenty.
