I teach high school, so when I get a gift from a student and their family, I’m fully screaming, crying, throwing up (as the kids say). I know that it sounds cliché, but I really mean it when I say that the handwritten notes that I’ve received from students are my most cherished gifts. I’d always recommend a handwritten card for your teacher. No matter which grade they teach, I know they’ll appreciate it.
We spoke with 120 teachers from around the country to learn what makes the best teacher gifts for every style and price range. Here’s what we found out.
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Top 3 Gifts Recommended by Teachers
Don’t worry, we have plenty of gift ideas on the list, but these are the ones that educators told us they love again and again, regardless of the grade they teach or their personal interests.
Sherry B. via We Are Teachers
1. Thank-You Notes
“One of the teacher gifts that made me feel most appreciated is handwritten thank-you notes or cards from students,” shares a Texas math teacher. “The heartfelt words written by students convey deep appreciation and warmth, which makes me feel truly valued and encouraged.”
When I asked real educators about the best gifts for teachers, the number-one answer is always the same: gift cards. They don’t need to be for a huge amount: $5 at Starbucks will get most teachers a cup of coffee, and with $10 at Dunkin’, they can grab a snack too.
Many teachers told us they love getting special food or drinks delivered during the school day. Ask about their preferences and take orders in advance. Then bring teachers lunch or a delicious pick-me-up on a day and time that works best for them. No time to do your own deliveries? That’s why Grubhub and DoorDash exist!
Top 3 Gifts To Avoid Giving Teachers
1. Mugs
Honestly, I am writing this as a high school teacher who probably receives fewer gifts than an elementary school teacher, so I am not yet overwhelmed by mugs or even gifts in general. But most teachers I asked mentioned that their collection of “teacher” mugs has reached its quota.
2. Obscure Food Items
I’m talking about food that’s oddly unique, rare, and maybe not a traditional favorite of most people. I did once receive a grape salad that I LOVED, but I had raved about trying it at a PTO event and apparently talked about it so much that I got it again for Christmas. Just take inventory of what you know about the teacher and their preferences.
3. “Teacher” Decor
This section is not a blanket statement for all teachers. There are exceptions to every rule, but normally teachers are not decorating their actual homes with teacher decor. So if they seem to have decorated their classroom already and may not have space for a new sign, it’s probably best to pass on the teacher decor.
Best $10 and Under Gifts Recommended by Teachers
These gifts are perfect if you want to add a little something special to your heartfelt thank-you note. They’re also great choices if you want to surprise your teacher with something special on a random day during the year.
Target
Their Favorite Drink
This is an affordable but highly appreciated gift. Pair a case of their favorite potable with a thank-you note, and your child’s teacher will treasure you forever. Not sure what their favorite beverage is? Ask your child what drink they see on their teacher’s desk after lunch … they’ll know.
Most teachers will love any chocolate you give, but many of them stressed the benefits of quality over quantity. If you really want to make them feel special, splurge on a gourmet option like Godiva. These are perfect for savoring slowly while binging Netflix, or rewarding themselves after turning in their final grades on time!
Magnets are great for both fridges at home and whiteboards at school, making them one of our favorite little teacher gifts. This set is especially fun for English teachers and their fellow grammar geeks.
Hand sanitizer is a teacher must-have, and they can clip these holders to their lanyard or belt, refilling as needed. They come in a cute floral pattern too. Here’s what one reviewer had to say: “I’m a teacher and this product is perfect to keep on my backpack. I can easily use it entering/leaving school, with peace of mind for sanitation. We are buying more for my teacher friends and family.”
These adorable statement earrings are perfect to dress up any outfit, even on jeans day! When it’s a messy-bun day, your child’s teacher will feel more put-together with these fun earrings.
This bag is trendy, and for good reason! It is a functional, fashionable version of a fanny pack. Your child’s teacher will love a gift that leaves their hands free while storing their phone, hand sanitizer, key card, and wallet. This one is simple but comes in tons of colors.
These shower steamers will make teachers feel a little more excited about their regular routine. They received great reviews and come in a variety of calming scents that promote relaxation.
If you’re looking to spend a bit more, teachers tell us these are some of the best gifts they’ve received.
Crumbl
Crumbl Cookies
California 5th grade teacher Nancy Cowan was once wowed by a gift of custom-decorated sugar cookies. Another great option is that iconic Crumbl Cookie pastel-pink box, full of the most decadent cookies around. No store near you? Crumbl Cookies ships nationwide!
Why is it that so many students never seem to have a pen handy? Teachers are usually willing to lend theirs out, but only if kids promise to return them at the end of class (except they never do). These flower pens solve the problem: It’s always easy to see who has a loaner!
These cute coasters are the perfect teacher gifts for those teachers who always have a mug or bottle on their desk. Even without the mug, teachers can display this personalized desk tchotchke to add some flair to their space. Right now, I am using sticky notes to collect the water ring spillage from my daily Dr. Pepper Zero. This would definitely be an upgrade.
Part of a teacher’s job (and one many of them absolutely love!) includes organization. Label makers will definitely upgrade their organization systems. Think of the endless possibilities!
These are all the rage right now, and they’re perfect for packing healthy and delicious teacher lunches. Personalize yours by adding their name with permanent vinyl lettering, and fill it with delicious snacks and candy for a practical, delicious gift they’ll love.
Teachers will want to make sure they hang on to these pencils for themselves! The clever sayings on each will make them giggle. One teacher shares, “So cute! Love the sayings because as a teacher, I have personally felt each one. One of the best gifts for teachers to brighten their day!”
Teachers build their classroom libraries with loving care. Help them keep their selections from disappearing with a personalized stamp like this one. Real teacher review: “This stamp is very sturdy. I have had other custom stamps fall apart after a long session of classroom library building, but this is still going strong.” (See more teacher stamps we love here.)
Tie-loving teachers likely have an impressive collection, but there are so many unique options out there that make fantastic teacher gifts! (Find more fun teacher ties here.)
Key chains are really practical teacher gifts, since they usually have lots of keys to keep track of. These simple personalized leather key chains are an easy and elegant gift for any teacher.
Many teachers shared that some of their favorite gifts were books, whether personal favorites from the person who gifted it or something chosen especially for them. Try asking your teacher if they have an Amazon Wish List with their favorite books on it so you know you’re buying something they’ll really love!
Plants make great classroom decorations and add some life even in the darkest months of winter. Choose a plant from a local nursery (ask for advice on good plants that need minimal care), or order an easy-care favorite like this fiddle fig from an online supplier.
Texas 1st grade teacher MQ loved this gift: “A beach bag full of summer fun that I still l use—towel, sunscreen, travel tumbler, and canned drinks.” When they’re not at the beach, the tote can double as an extra teacher bag.
Teachers and coaches love the gift of memories. Share your child’s favorite memory with their teacher in a personalized frame. This is a perfect gift to display in a teacher’s classroom for years to come.
Gather your favorite photos from the year (check social media or photos your child’s teacher shared in class emails or newsletters). Then, turn them into a keepsake collage. This one is extra adorable with a modern look and an LED light. Add your teacher’s favorite quote, a quote about teaching, or just their class and year.
Real teacher story: “A group of students gifted me a notebook this year. It meant so much to me that I wanted to use it for something special. I decided to write down funny moments that happen throughout the years and give it to them for a graduation gift.” This one is adorable, can be personalized, and is less than $15.
In the $30 and under range, here’s what teachers told us they love to receive.
Amazon
Cravebox
Real teacher story: “I know I’m not the only teacher who feels better having a stash of snacks in their cupboard. I like to know that I’ve got something there to offer a hungry student or grab if I forget my lunch.” Snacks have the power to transform my day. I am not exaggerating one bit.
Teachers rarely get to sit down and enjoy a whole cup of coffee in peace. That’s why insulated mugs are must-have teacher gifts. This YETI mug is a top-notch choice, keeping your brew hot for as long as it takes you to get to the bottom. It holds enough coffee to get a teacher from first bell to at least their lunch break!
If 4th grade teacher Caitlin Veise was giving a gift to a fellow teacher, she’d bake them one of their favorite treats. No time to bake yourself? Amazon will deliver this delightful assortment of sweet treats for you!
I wish I was grown-up enough to enjoy coffee. I know that I am in the minority here. For most teachers, coffee K-Cups are a safe bet. For others, like me, who want to still carry around a warm mug and look the part of a teacher, there are these K-Cups that cover all the bases. (I believe in hot chocolate all year round.)
If you can spend up to $50, teachers would love to receive one of the following gifts.
Pick Your Polish
Manicure and Pedicure
Real teacher story: “I consider it a real treat to get my nails done, and normally that happens for me just twice in a school year. I get my nails done at the start of the year and again when it is time to break out those toes for sandal season. Gifting your teacher a manicure will make them want to find an excuse to use the document camera and spend more time pointing at things on the smartboard!” A Pick Your Polish gift card can be used nationally at 15,000 different locations.
Everyone can use a little relaxation time. With this gift card, teachers can choose the services they are interested in and can use it at spas found nationally. (Check to make sure you have a location near you that accepts the gift card.)
Teachers tend to get a lot of bath and body products, so if you’re going to go that route, pick a high-quality, luxurious option so your gift will stand out. L’Occitane makes some of the best hand cream around, perfect for reviving hands that are dry and cracked from using sanitizer all day long. Buy this set and give it as-is, or split it up and pair each one with a gift card for three separate teacher gifts.
Smart speakers with voice search built in have so many uses in the classroom. The Amazon Echo Dot is one of our favorites, since it’s so easy to use and coordinates with other Amazon products.
Real teacher story: “I received a LEGO house built to resemble a school with a figurine that represented me and a dinosaur to represent the student who built it.” So personal and fun!
If you want to give teachers a relaxing activity they’ll enjoy themselves, consider a set of LEGO flowers. Designed just for adults, these sets are popular and make amazing classroom decorations.
This heated throw would be such a cozy addition to your living room. I love a cozy blanket. This one comes in multiple prints and is perfect this time of year.
Best Group Gifts Over $50 as Recommended by Teachers
These ideas are on the pricier side, so they’re great choices for group gifts from the entire class.
Target
Amazon
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
Need a good gift from the whole class? The Keurig K-Mini is one of those teacher gift ideas they’ll be thanking you for over and over again. (Check out more of our coffee station ideas.)
Healthy snacks can be delicious (and beautiful) too! Edible Arrangements are always popular, and they offer lots of yummy treats that are good for you too.
Want to become a teacher’s hero? Gift them their own personal laminator! This model from Scotch with Never Jam technology is one of our favorites. Here’s what one teacher thinks: “LOVE! It surpassed my expectations. It’s nearly silent! … It also laminates fairly quickly! I would absolutely recommend.”
Adding pictures of fun moments in the classroom around the room would be such a nice personal touch to any teacher’s classroom. Then when the year is over, they’ll have photographic tokens of the memories made that year.
You’ll definitely want to ask about this first, but tickets to a movie, show, game, concert, or other event can be a really cool teacher gift. Find out what they love, and offer to get them a pair of tickets to enjoy with a partner or friend. (Not sure what they’d like? Ticketmaster makes gift cards!)
If you’ve got a garden, put together your own bouquet. Otherwise, brighten a teacher’s day with beautiful blooms from Bouqs. Choose from a variety of sizes and styles. These flowers are sourced directly from farmers who use sustainable growing practices like minimizing waste and recycling water.
Give a lit-loving teacher plenty of audiobooks to enjoy during their much-deserved downtime. Audible gift memberships are available from one month to a year, so there are teacher gift options for all price ranges.
This would make an amazing group gift: a personalized blanket with a teacher thank-you note they’ll keep forever! You choose your text, so your recipient will think of their students every time they snuggle up with this blanket.
If you’re looking for specific gifts, we’ve curated thoughtful ideas for every type of educator—from preschool and kindergarten teachers to PE, music, art teachers, and more. Check out more of our teacher gift lists:
