Gifts for tea lovers in Australia

Tea lovers are lovely to buy for, because they appreciate the small things. The best gifts for them go beyond another box of teabags: they make the daily ritual feel a little more special. Here are ideas that suit birthdays, Mother's Day, Christmas and thank-yous.

What makes a good tea gift

Tea is about pace. A good gift supports that slowness with something to hold, something to look at or something to carry. Think about the cup, the room and the walk to the tea shop.

You can see our whole range in the tea lover gifts collection.

For the person who has everything

A mug they will reach for every morning. Our 11oz ceramic mugs come in five soft colours with a botanical wreath or a gum blossom sprig. Pair one with a small pot of loose leaf tea for a complete present.

If you are not sure which to choose, our guide to choosing a ceramic mug explains size, handle and colour. The Tea Time mug and Gum Blossom mug are both dishwasher and microwave safe.

For the new home

A mug and a print make a good housewarming gift, and a framed print gives the kitchen something to look at. Morning Ritual is a quiet still life of a teapot and a single cup, and Tea by the Coast suits anyone who loves tea outdoors. More ideas in housewarming gift ideas.

For mum

Mums often put everyone else first. A morning ritual print, a mug for her own use and a handwritten note are a quiet way to say thank you. See Mother's Day gift ideas and the gifts for mum collection.

For the friend who walks everywhere

A tote bag fits a flask, a book and a snack. The Steep Slowly tote is hand lettered around a small teacup and comes in natural, black or white. It is a good everyday bag and a nice reminder to slow down.

For someone who loves a slow morning

Give them the tools to make the morning an event. A mug, a print above the kettle and a few minutes of quiet. Our guide to a slow morning tea ritual has ideas to share with the gift.

Gifts under A$50

If you are watching the budget, all of our mugs and totes come in under A$50. See gifts under A$50. Add a pot of tea from a local shop and wrap it simply.

Wrapping

Tuck a mug into the tote and tie the handles with string and a sprig of rosemary for wrapping that is part of the gift. We do not offer printed cards yet, so write a short note by hand.

How to order

Everything is printed to order. Production takes 3 to 7 business days and delivery 2 to 5 business days, so give yourself about two weeks before a birthday or occasion. Shipping is a flat A$12.95, free over A$150. For Christmas, order early in the season so the gift arrives with time to spare.

A note on the artwork

Every design is drawn by hand in gouache and ink, then printed on a mug, tote or paper. The colours are warm and calm so that they fit into a home rather than shout at it. If you would like to see how they look together, browse the mugs and totes and the framed art prints.

What to pair with tea

Tea itself is personal, so we suggest buying that from a local tea shop where you can ask for a recommendation. Then add one of our pieces. A few combinations that work well:

• A mug and a small tin of loose leaf tea for a colleague or neighbour.
• A tote, a mug and a packet of shortbread for a friend who loves a picnic.
• A framed print and a mug for someone setting up a new kitchen.
• Two matching mugs for a couple who share a morning pot.

Gifts for different types of tea drinker

The classic black tea drinker will love a sturdy mug and a print with a teapot, such as Morning Ritual. The herbal and green tea drinker may prefer something light, such as a sage green mug with a gum blossom sprig. The outdoors lover will use a tote for flasks and picnics, and will enjoy Tea by the Coast on the wall.

Looking after the pieces

Mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe, totes wash cold and inside out, and prints should hang away from direct sun. The details are in our care guide, which is handy to pass on with a gift.

Gifts for different occasions

• Birthday: a mug in their favourite colour with a small tin of tea.
• Christmas: a framed print for the kitchen, wrapped with a mug tucked in front.
• Thank you: a tote with a mug inside, for a teacher, neighbour or carer.
• Retirement: a print of a quiet tea moment, such as Tea by the Coast, for the slower days ahead.

Why handmade artwork matters

Many tea gifts are mass produced with a slogan on the front. Ours begin as hand drawings, so the botanicals and teapots have a softness that printed clip art does not. That is what makes them feel like a gift rather than a purchase, and it is why they suit a home as well as a kitchen shelf.

A few last tips

Check the colour of the mug against the recipient's kitchen if you can. If you do not know, white, sage green and blush pink are very safe choices. For anyone who is hard to buy for, a tote is a forgiving gift, because it is useful whatever their taste.