School’s out: last-minute gifts for teachers

With national schools on the verge of summer shut down, the tricky issue of what to buy your child’s teacher rears its head. They’ve been in charge of your offspring all year, how can you say thank you?

It’s too late for a personalised present or something too thoughtful. We’re talking here about having something, anything, for your child to carry in on the last day of school.

If in doubt opt for something consumable – it is highly unlikely the teacher wants a permanent reminder of your child cluttering up the house. Let’s face it, when it comes to gifts for teachers, an item that is used, or even fit for re-gifting, is a result – it’s being thrown in the bin you want to avoid.

A gift card

It’s too late for a class whip-around for a card of significant value, so perhaps your personal budget would be best suited to a low-spending outlet such as a coffee shop chain or cinema – or regard it as giving them a “discount” on something they might want to buy in a department store.

Book token

You would like to think that all teachers are voracious readers.

Bouquet of flowers

Yes they are a cliché, but they’re an ephemeral luxury. Indoor plants last longer of course, but do take up more permanent space.

High-end edibles

Really upmarket brands from specialist shops of foodstuffs such as tea, coffee, biscuits or preserves are a welcome alternative to supermarket “own label” fare and are sure to come in useful.

A decent ballpoint pen

If your budget stretches to it, teachers need a supply to lose over the next school year.