I always think a little potted plant is nice. If you buy the little pots early in the year and grow a succulent or two in it all year it’s a cheap option.

I work with special needs children and each year we get some lovely gifts from parents. I think each person id different but it seems that we get a lot of Wine (I dont drink) and a lot of chocolate.
What I would really love is special christmas decorations for my dinner table. They are easily purchaed from Coles and cheap

I put myself in my kids’ teachers place and think ‘this is about making them feel appreciated, not me’. So I give them small gift cards from Officeworks and similar. The teachers know we are very cash-strapped, and appreciate the gesture, and that they get to pick something they want/need. It is not about going into debt to thank them, but acknowledging their hard work over a year, which actually isnt all paid for. My children all have ASD, they aren’t the only kids needing SSOs, but they are demanding and I’d like their teachers to know their efforts are seen and appreciated. I know this means more to them than 3 mugs to add to the ‘best teacher’ collection.

I always made my teachers gifts as a child. I’d do something like a lovely glass bowl and potpourri in a pretty lace or mesh bag and a nice pen as a gift. Mum helped me of course but they can reuse a decorative bowl and what teacher doesn’t need a new pen.

I have loved ones who have said they have enough mugs for a life time hahah so maybe not that. Are gift cards a faux pas? I would think that a nice Myer gift card would go down well. Then they can splash out on a treat themselves. It’s so hard to find something thoughtful and useful.