Teaching can often feel like a thankless job, so a nice gift can help show that you appreciate someone who has helped you or your child learn and grow. It doesn’t have to be anything special: a thoughtful thank you note, perhaps accompanied by a gift card, is still a warm way to recognise everything they’ve done (and is probably worth writing anyway). But if you’re looking for something a little extra, we’ve rounded up some gadgets, services and other gift ideas for the teacher in your life.
Ember Smart Mug 2
Many of us rely on caffeine to get through long days and teachers are no different. But dealing with students, lesson plans, lectures and other classroom activities can mean their beverage of choice goes cold before they’ve even finished drinking it.
The second generation of Ember’s smart mug, the Mug 2, doesn’t just keep tea or coffee hot – it keeps it at a steady temperature for longer. App integration lets you set the mug’s temperature, while internal sensors turn off the heat when the mug is empty or hasn’t been touched for two hours. Battery life is up to an hour and a half for the 10-ounce size, and the 14-ounce capacity adds another 20 minutes.
They can also stick the mug on a charging coaster to keep their cup of coffee warm throughout the school day. Aura Mason Digital Picture Frame If your child’s teacher is the sentimental type, a digital photo frame like the Aura Mason can let them easily add and view their favorite snapshots.
The Mason has a crisp, nine-inch, 1,600 x 1,200 resolution display and a minimalist design that should look natural on a work desk or side table at home. This thoughtful gift can display photos in portrait or landscape mode, and uploading photos (or videos) is simple through the Aura app. Just keep in mind that it can sometimes add black boxes around photos that don’t match its 4:3 aspect ratio.
If you want to save $50, the Aura Carver is a larger 10.1-inch frame that has the same benefits, though it has a lower resolution (1,280 x 800) and only works in landscape. You can also gift a multi-function smart display like the Google Nest Hub, but they typically have lower-quality screens and aren’t as easy to mount on a wall.
Anker 511 Nano Pro Charger 20W
Maybe you don’t have a lot of money but still want to show your favorite teacher a little appreciation — this Anker Nano Pro charger isn’t a traditional gift, but it’ll be one they’ll use regularly. It delivers 20W of power to the device it’s powering, which means it’s strong enough to quickly charge the latest iPhone, and it can handle other smartphones and some tablets too.
It’s 45 percent smaller than most 20W chargers that come with handsets, so it’d be a great spare charger for your teacher to keep with them wherever they go. It also comes in a few attractive pastel colors to choose from, including white and black if you think your teacher would prefer something a little more muted.
Fellow 16 oz Carter Bundle (3 in 1) Travel Mug
For some coffee lovers from Engadget, the Fellow Carter 3-in-1 Sip System is the ideal way to carry and drink their everyday cup of coffee. This system combines the vacuum-insulated, ceramic-lined 16-ounce Carter’s Travel Mug with three different lids – one with a straw for cold drinks, a slide lid, and the original curved-lip lid with splash guard. Anyone with a passion for coffee will appreciate the luxurious treatment this travel tumbler provides.