The Ultimate Guide to Teacher Gifts: 500+ Thoughtful, Practical and Aussie-Loved Ideas Teachers Actually Want
Teachers are incredible humans. They’re the calm in the chaos, the champions of growth, the ones cheering on our kids day after day. So when it comes time to say thank you - whether it’s end of year, World Teachers’ Day, birthdays or just because - you want a gift that truly shows your appreciation.
Here at Adventure Awaits, we take gifting seriously. Practical, meaningful, fun, unique and with a dash of Aussie flavour is our speciality. And lucky for us, we have our own secret panel of experts… our amazing Teacher friends and loyal customers who jumped at the chance to share what they actually love receiving.
We asked them to look through our entire range and pick their favourite Teacher Gifts. The results? Over 500 incredible and practical gift ideas chosen by real teachers of all ages, male and female, across Australia.
This bumper guide brings you the top picks, the unexpected favourites, and the most-loved gifts that made teachers smile, nod and say, “Yes, I would LOVE that!”
Whether you're shopping for something heartfelt, useful, quirky, indulgent or downright fun, this list has something for every teacher.
Teachers don’t need expensive gifts or extravagant gestures. What they deeply appreciate are thoughtful items that:
Make their day easier
Bring joy into the classroom
Help them relax after a long day
Make them smile
Show genuine appreciation
Are practical enough to use regularly
And teachers told us - loudly and clearly - that they LOVE practical gifts that feel personal, have heart, and make them feel seen.
So here are the top picks directly from the teachers who know best…
Number 1 Teacher Gift: Aussie Made Carry Your Cutlery Sets
When teachers ranked their favourite gifts, one product absolutely soared to the top.
⭐ #1: Carry Your Cutlery Sets - The Everyday Teacher Essential
If you're after the perfect teacher gift, this is it. These Aussie made, stainless steel Carry Your Cutlery Sets are practical, stylish and incredibly useful. Teachers loved them because:
They’re easy to pop into a handbag, backpack or desk drawer
They’re hygienic and waste-free
They come in so many gorgeous, fun and colourful designs
They’re made right here in Australia
They’re affordable and feel thoughtful without being over the top
Perfect for yard duty, busy lunch breaks, school camps, staffroom lunches and coffee shop dashes when you're running between meetings.
Teachers said things like: “This is the gift I didn’t know I needed.” “I keep mine in my playground duty bag.” “So much better than grabbing disposable cutlery.”
While browsing the cutlery kits, teachers also raved about the Compostable Dish Cloths. With cute prints, eco-friendly materials and everyday practicality, they’re an easy add-on under $10 - perfect for class gift collections or pairing with another item.
Number 2 Teacher Gift: Everything from Natural Life (Yes, Everything!)
⭐ #2: Natural Life Mugs, Trinkets and Feel-Good Gifts
Teachers could not get enough of our Natural Life collection. If you’ve ever picked up a Natural Life product, you already know why.
Their gifts are:
Warm
Positive
Uplifting
Colourful
Practical
And packed with feel-good messages
But the clear standout? Natural Life Mugs.
Teachers love starting their day with a cuppa, and a beautifully illustrated mug with an inspiring quote is something they’ll use every single morning. It’s useful, personal and brings a moment of joy during even the busiest school days.
Beyond mugs, teachers also chose:
Boho trinket dishes
Inspirational plaques
Boho Bandeaus
Air Fresheners for their car
There truly is something for every teacher, every personality and every budget.
Number 3 Teacher Gift: Lula Eye Masks & Essential Oils
⭐ #3: Relaxation Essentials Teachers Actually Use
Teacher life is full-on. Early starts, late nights, marking, planning, playground duty, sports days, concerts, excursions… so it’s no surprise that self-care gifts ranked incredibly high.
Teachers loved our Lula Eye Masks and Essential Oils because they are:
Calming
Gentle
Beautifully packaged
Ideal for winding down after a big day
Perfect for at-home pampering
Easy gifts for teacher wellbeing corners in classrooms
The top comments from teachers?
“Anything that helps me relax after reports season is a win!” “These smell amazing.” “I’d use this all year round.”
You’ll discover teacher-friendly favourites from brands like:
Fox & Leo
Frank Green
Solmates
Be. Bangle
Write To Me
Allen Designs
DrinksPlinks
Wholesome Pantry
Plus books, puzzles, games, stationery and so much more
There is truly something for every educator.
Looking for Something a Bit Cheeky?
Some teachers prefer gifts that bring a laugh - sometimes a big, cheeky one.
If your teacher has a wicked sense of humour, explore our Fark Off Gifts Collection, filled with sweary, sassy and delightfully irreverent goodies.
Perfect for:
Teachers with personality
Staffroom besties
Teachers who love a giggle
Last day of school fun
How to Choose the Perfect Teacher Gift
If you’re still unsure where to start, here are simple rules teachers told us they appreciated:
❤️ Keep it practical
If they can use it daily, it’s a winner.
📚 Choose something that sparks joy
Bright colours, fun messages, uplifting designs always hit the mark.
🎁 Add a personal note
A handwritten message from your child means more than any gift ever will.
✨ Think quality over quantity
One beautiful, well-made gift goes further than three novelty items.
Support Aussie-made when you can
Teachers love gifts with meaning and heart.
Final Thoughts: Gifts That Celebrate the Teachers Who Give So Much
Teachers pour their hearts into their work. They care deeply. They give endlessly. And they deserve gifts that are thoughtful, useful and full of appreciation.
At Adventure Awaits, we proudly curate one of Australia’s most unique, practical and joy-filled ranges of Teacher Gifts. Every item in our Teacher Gift Ideas Collection has been chosen with purpose - and many are now teacher-approved by our own wonderful community.
Whether you choose a Carry Your Cutlery Set, a Natural Life Mug, a Lula Eye Mask, a Klipsta accessory, the Family Quiz Book or something cheeky from our sweary range, you can be confident it will be loved.
And if you ever need help picking, we’re only a message or phone call away.
Prompt delivery,All rolled in a cylinder .
Left it like that and wrapped for my husband.
Open Christmas day it has creases in it when unrolled 🤦
Currently flat under a heavy book hoping that will go so we can put on our caravan fridge.
Love all the details of places...bought the pack so look forward to marking the places we visited ( many) last year.
Thanks so much Jean - the creases sometimes form in transit - we roll these as we send them. Once you peel the sticker off it will be PERFECT and smooth out...