Teachers, what would we do without them? They are nothing short of amazing. Anyone who can not only corral a room of 20+ excitable children, but also teach them day in, day out, deserves something a little thoughtful. The following are some suggestions for all budgets that would be lovely teamed with a handmade card and a few lines on how they have helped you/your child this year.

For the teacher who loves to cook.

Low cost: We stopped for a couple of years, but home-cooked food is back on the menu. Package up a bundle of buttery biscuits into some brown wax paper and string or ribbon and you are good to go.

Have a little bit more to spend: The homemade Christmas Fruit Mince Ma’Mool, from Rumi and a signed copy of the Rumi cookbook with the recipe.

Deluxe present: Add a colourful tea towel by local designers Cooked Concepts to tie it all together.

For the teacher who hums and strums.

Low cost: Help your child to write a song about their teacher, their school, or life in general. Write it out on a suitably decorated sheet of paper and send them the recording of your child’s masterpiece.

Have a little bit more to spend: The song along with a signed edition of Sonic Life by Thurston Moore, or if classical music is more their style, a copy of Ed Le Brocq’s Sound Bites.

Deluxe present: Pair that song with a signed copy of the luxe Marr’s Guitars, by Johnny Marr of The Smiths fame (and much more), often referred to as the guitarist’s guitarist.

For the teacher who lives, breaths and loves all things local.

Low cost: A drawing by your child of their school. If you have a frame floating around that’s a nice touch.

Have a little bit more to spend: Add a signed copy of Corners of Melbourne by Robyn Annear, Melbourne’s favourite historian.

Deluxe present: Pop all this into a Lygon St Tote Bag or, if you want to go wild, gift them a set of Melbourne Monopoly, a game they can play with family and friends.

For the teacher who always has a touch of whimsy via a flower in their hair, on their desk or wears a floral pattern.

Low cost: A lovely array of flowers picked from your, or a friendly neighbour’s, garden. Tied together with brown string or a ribbon.

Have a little bit more to spend: Tie the bouquet to a copy of The Super Bloom Handbook, an easy guide to growing your own flowers on a budget.

Deluxe present: Add in some Eucalyptus hand cream, so that their hands remain soft after their afternoon of gardening.

And if none of those seem quite right, you really can’t go wrong with a gift voucher, and what better voucher to receive than one from your favourite bookshop, Readings!