Teacher Gift Ideas

16 teacher gift ideas for Christmas or Teacher Appreciation Day that are fun, practical, and thoughtful + ideas that don’t cost a thing.

For five years, I was a high school English teacher, and while I never expected gifts at all from my students, many gave me some incredibly thoughtful ones at Christmas and at the end of the school year.

In my experience, the best gifts of all are handwritten letters and drawings by my students. Knowing they took the time to show me they appreciated me was enough. However, if you want to give your teachers something store-bought, these 16 gift ideas for teachers will be so appreciated.

If you plan to give restaurant gift cards, food/drinks, or fragranced items, maybe just check their food preferences beforehand or that they don’t have any allergies. Or ask if they need any items for the classroom so the teacher doesn’t have to buy it.

Click on any image in the collage below to shop.

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Practical and Thoughtful Teacher Gift Ideas

1. “Things My Students Said” Journal

I love this one especially for elementary school teachers. It’s so funny to look back on the hilarious things kids say, so this journey will allow the teacher to document all of it.

2. Essential Oil Diffuser

As a teacher, I liked running a diffuser with stress-relieving and immunity boosting essential oils both at home and at my desk. This one is so pretty!

3. Why You’re the Best Teacher Ever Book

If writing a letter to a teacher expressing appreciation is a little difficult for a student, this fill-in-the-blank book is a helpful guide.

4. Touchland Mist Hand Sanitizer Set

When applying hand sanitizer a million times a day to ward off the school germs, it feels like a luxury to have a great smelling one that’s also hydrating.

5. Personalized Stamp

A custom name stamp to use on graded papers is right up there on the awesomeness scale with a brand new pack of colorful gel pens.

6. Indoor Plant from Urban Stems

It’s nice having a houseplant in the classroom to add a little visual life, but it also helps increase oxygen and purifies the air.

7. L’Occitane Hand Cream Set

When handling papers all day and washing hands constantly, teacher hands can get very dry with winter skin. Having hand cream available in a desk drawer really comes in handy. L’Occitane is the good stuff.

8. Harney & Sons Tea

One of my favorite teas! Plus, an herbal tea with peppermint is very welcomed when it’s cold season and you’ve been talking to your class all day long with a scratchy throat.

9. Stanley Cup

I’ll be honest, I received a lot of “teacher” coffee mugs over the years and the collection got rather out of hand. But a Stanley cup is like the Cadillac of cups and one that would be very appreciated.

10. Stress Relief & Self Care Cards

If there is anyone who deserves reminders about self care and a little help in the stress relief department it’s teachers.

11. Picture Frame Ornament

Gift a student-written appreciate note or artwork inside of this picture frame ornament. This sunburst design feels extra cheerful.

12. Zoe Truffle Collection

These truffles are SO decadent and amazing! Sometimes chocolate just makes a tough day in the classroom a little better.

13. F In Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers Book

A hilarious book that any teacher would be tickled reading

14. Amazon Gift Card

If there is anything on teachers’ Amazon wish lists that they need, Amazon gift cards will help.

15. Stress Free Essential Oils Set

If the teacher uses essential oils, this set is a good one for some stress relief.

16. Custom Notepads

Teachers are always jotting down notes, to-do lists, or writing notes to other teachers around the school, so personalized notepads with their names will get tons of use.