If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
You probably want to give your child’s teacher a million self-care gifts to show your gratitude and appreciation for everything they do for your kiddo, but since that might be overkill and pretty expensive, it’s probably best to stick to a reasonable number of unique gifts. It’s also in everyone’s best interest to buy a gift they’ll actually enjoy. (No, that doesn’t include an apple-shaped anything.)
I spoke to a couple of real-life teachers who were honest about the gifts they appreciate more than others. Maya Garcia, an educator who specializes in literacy and curriculum for Pre-K through 4th grade, says, “The best gifts from students and parents are handwritten notes, but if they insist on spending money, gift cards are always the way to go since they allow teachers to buy the things we want and need — whether it’s for the classroom or our personal happiness.”
In addition to gift cards and cutie notes from little ones, Ashley Kelemen, a preschool teacher with a degree in child development, says, “I’ve had parents bring personalized notepads, succulents, candles, and even a bottle of wine for after-hours. Just no apple-related items, please. Who came up with that idea anyway?”
Whether you’re buying a teacher an end-of-school-year gift, a birthday gift, a gift for teacher appreciation week, or a just-because gift, there are plenty to choose from on this list. Of course, they all go extra well with a sweet handwritten note from your child. Read on below for the best gifts for teachers — approved by teachers.
KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
Another great retirement gift, this digital instant print camera produces 2-inch by 3-inch photos on sticky-backed photo paper. It’s a super fun way for teachers to take end-of-year photos with their students as a parting gift.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
Since teachers don’t have time to run to the teacher’s lounge to heat their coffee all the time, the Ember smart cup mug warmer is a great way to help them keep their beverage hot all day as if it’s freshly brewed.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler
Stanley cups (and Stanley cup dupes) are annoyingly popular right now, but they’re popular because they’re great, especially for teachers who want a large water bottle with a lid, straw, and handle, and one that’ll likely impress their students. This one comes in several color options.
Perfect for hanging on a classroom door, this wooden sign is a big step up from the classic desk name plates. It can be personalized with the teacher’s name in sizes ranging from 6 to 18 inches.
Frameo Smart Digital Photo Frame
If your child’s teacher is getting ready to retire, this digital photo frame makes a great retirement gift. Through the connected app, it rotates through photos and is a fantastic way for the classroom memories to live on.
The iWalk charger is a great gift for teachers who are often on the go. The USB-C charger can fully charge an iPhone while digitally displaying how much battery life is remaining.
If you know your kiddo’s teacher enjoys a glass of wine (or more), they will likely very much appreciate this wine glass chiller. It actively chills a stemless glass of wine for up to an hour indoors and 45 minutes outdoors.
Related: The Best Wine Gift Baskets to Make Any Wine Lover’s Year
Let’s start this list off strong with the gift card every teacher wants: Amazon. You can send an eGift card or order a physical card, and teachers can choose things for the classroom or personal items. There are even print-at-home gift cards, including a “Best Teacher Ever” design.
Teachers can never have enough pens, especially those who grade endless papers. These new Paper Mate pens come in a six-pack with a medium point and are extra special because they show up on both light and dark paper.
After a long day with kids, a neck massage can help release all the built-up tension. I own this massager, and it works astonishingly well. It gets into the knots and even has a built-in heater.
Burt’s Bees Tips and Toes Travel Size Products Set
A little hand and feet self-care goes a long way, and this travel set from Burt’s Bees is packed with really great products. The great little set includes hand creams, foot cream, and lip balm.
Show the special teacher in your life *just* how much you appreciate their impeccable organization with this planner. It’s specifically designed for teachers, making it a fabulous tool to help them stay on top of their busy schedules, track important events, and inspire creativity in the classroom.
Chronicle Books Modern One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
The sentiment behind this memory book is beautiful. Just once a day, teachers can write one line a day about anything. Each page includes an entry for five successive years.
As someone who owns one of these oversized wearable blankets and insists on wearing it as often as possible, I can attest that it’s a fantastic gift to give a teacher who enjoys being comfy. It’s available in several color options and is truly the coziest thing ever.
Four 70-page notepads come in this set, each personalized with a teacher’s name. OK, technically this gift is apple-adjacent due to the personalized apple at the bottom, but the cuteness of the pad overpowers it.
Teachers I spoke to said snacks are a great gift. Students often forget to bring snacks, so having some on hand is important. This snack box comes with a variety of 45 snacks, plenty for the teacher, too.
What teachers really could use is money. A Visa gift card allows them to buy whatever they want — whether it’s school supplies, self-care, gas for their car, or groceries. There’s an additional $3.44 activation fee, just FYI.
Although Kleenex might seem like a boring gift, based on how often students blow their noses, this might be the best gift for teachers. They’ll very much appreciate not having to spend half their salaries on tissues. Twelve square boxes with 85 tissues each come in this pack.
Intelex Warmies Slippers for Women
Give a teacher the gift of these extra plush slippers. They aren’t just fuzzy and cozy, they can be popped in the microwave for 1 minute for warm feet for an hour. They’re also one of Oprah’s favorite things — just sayin’.
There are probably lots of reasons why a teacher might want to use earplugs. Loop’s earplugs are comfortable and less noticeable than other brands. They come with four ear tip sizes, and from personal experience, I can say that they work wonders at blocking high-pitched kid voices.
Trending Products Reviews