62+ Thoughtful Teacher Gift Ideas That They’ll Actually Use!
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We figured out the best of the best teacher gift ideas by going straight to the teachers themselves! Here’s what they said..
Hi friends,
One thing I’m huge on is showing my appreciation for everything our teachers do! We love having pretty much any reason to celebrate them and show them some love.
We went straight to the teachers to see what they were loving! I’m talking, top items on their Amazon wishlist, popular “must haves” and what they’ve loved receiving in the past.
We also found a few gem items that we think would make great gifts as well!
So, whether you’re looking for a teacher gift for Christmas, their birthday, Teacher Appreciation week or any other reason, we’ve got you covered!
Let’s get into it..
This post is all about the best teacher gift ideas!
Teacher gift ideas for the classroom
Teachers are always looking for ways to improve their classroom, make it more cozy or functional! Grab a few of these items, throw them into a reusable caddy or basket for the ultimate teacher supplies kit gift!
1. Cordless hot glue gun
I can’t even begin to tell you how often I saw this item pop up on teacher wishlists! So smart for teachers who are decorating their room and all the other crafts they do all year!
2. Teacher stamp set
Teacher Stamps
How cool is the set of teacher stamps for papers? My daughters teacher always uses stamps and I’m sure she’d love something like this!
3. Mini classroom tool kit
Hand Tool Set
This was one item I had never even thought about! Makes total sense that teachers should have this in their classroom! Beyond genius and undoubtably a gift that will be put to use!
4. Teacher planner clips
Teacher planner clips
How adorable are these teacher clips? They can use these to separate papers or in their teacher planner. Super cute!
5. String lights
Fairy string lights
It seems like teachers these days are all about setting up super cozy and inviting classrooms! Personally, I love it and am a bit jealous lol. These twinkle lights add the perfect cozy touch!
6. Desktop vacuum
Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
Okay, I saw this on a TikTok teacher must haves video and all the comments from other teachers were raving about it too! Between little torn pieces of paper and pencil shavings, this is a great gift idea!
7. Post it easel pad
Post-it Super Sticky Easel Pad
Another Amazon teacher wishlist item I came across a ton! They’re basically giant sticky notes that teachers use for lessons and whiteboard displays. I’m sure they’ll thank you for this one!
8. Fidget toy set
I had no idea that fidget toys were such a hot item for teachers! Apparently they use these types of items for a wide variety of things including treasure chest items. Heck, a stress ball would probably be great for the teachers themselves too lol
9. Magnetic rack
So, one thing I learned scrolling through tons of teacher must-haves and classroom wishlists? Magnets reign supreme! Teachers love magnets for their whiteboards!
PS. this would be a cute and functional holder for other gift items! A total two in one!
10. Magnetic clips
Again with the magnets! Apparently teachers can never have too many whiteboard magnet clips.
11. Stapler remover
Like the glue gun, this one was a hot item too! Since teachers have to take down staples from walls, this seems to be a holy grain item. If your teacher doesn’t already have one of these bad boys, you’re about to change their entire teaching life! lol
12. Embossing label maker
Labels. Do I need to say more? Embossing labels are also super trendy and just cuter than regular labels!
13. Magnetic hooks
Strong Magnetic Hooks
Give a teacher some different types of magnets and they’ll be in whiteboard organizing heaven!
14. Magnetic letters and numbers
A first year teacher was raving about large magnetic letters and numbers. A long time teacher chimed in and was saying how she recommends them to any and all teachers! Multiples of these could never hurt.
15. Large timer
Countdown Clock with Dry Erase Activity Card
This timer was found all over teacher must have lists! It’s big so the whole class can easily see it and even have an activity card at the top so everyone knows what’s going on!
16. Mousepad
Round Pink Mousepad
A little desk refresher like a cute new mousepad makes an easy and inexpensive gift!
17. Art supplies caddy
I love giving gifts in useful containers like baskets or caddies! Instead of giving something in a useless paper gift bag, consider something like this. Plus, teachers love a good caddy!
18. Desk supplies organizer
Bamboo Desk Organizer
How perfect is this desk organizer? I love the natural bamboo look so it fits any aesthetic your child’s teacher may have going on too!
19. Dry erase sleeves
Dry Erase Paper Holder
These were all over every teachers classroom wishlist! I know my daughters teacher uses them almost every day too. One of those gifts that you know they’ll be unexpectedly happy to receive!
20. Personal laminator
Thermal Laminator and Pouch Bundle
I saw this on a gift suggestions post from a teacher. Someone asked “don’t most teachers already have one?” and all the replies were that a teacher can’t have too many laminators! You can always just grab a box of the pouches though too if you feel like they don’t need a personal laminator.
Personalized teacher gift ideas
Who doesn’t love a personalized gift? We found the absolutely cutest personalized gifts that are perfect for any teacher!
21. Teacher lanyard
Personalized teacher lanyard
I’m absolutely in love with this lanyard! We all know teachers wear their lanyards almost 24/7 and this is a perfect lanyard to gift. I love that it’s neutral and can be worn with anything!
22. Badge ID holder
Personalized badge I.D holder
.. And to go with their lanyard, a new and equally as cute ID badge holder!
23. Cute personalized notepad
Personalized teacher notepad
We’ve all seen the “take note, you’re an amazing teacher!” gift ideas. This just takes it up a notch by making it truly theirs by customizing it with their name!
24. Book stamp
Teacher library book stamp
With teachers buying most of their own books for the classroom, a cute book stamp is the perfect gift so that they never lose book!
25. Teachers ruler
Personalized ruler for teacher
Honestly, I have no idea how useful this would actually be but I had to include it because it’s so stinkin’ cute!
26. Thank you card
Personalized thank you card
One of the top things I repeatedly saw teachers say they enjoy the most are handwritten letters from their students! Grab this cute personalized card and let your kid write a sweet note.
27. Personalized pencils
Custom engraved pencils
Personalized pencils are a MUST. I get these for my daughter at the beginning of the year and they’re just so cute! Plus, having the teachers name on it means students won’t be stealing them!
28. Personalized sticky note holder
Custom sticky note pad
How adorable is this sticky note pad holder? Something like this will last them years and be used daily!
Self care teacher gifts
Teachers spend so much time devoting themselves to others. It’s about time they focus on them! Here are a few fantastic self care gifts your childs teacher will love!
28. Affirmation card
Teacher affirmation cards
Affirmations are huge and insanely important! These affirmation cards are not only cute but also a great pick-me-up any teacher could use some days.
29. Quality Blanket
Teachers need a good, high quality throw to snuggle up with at the end of the day and relax with. Plus, everyone and their momma raves about Barefoot dreams blankets!
30. Teacher pin
Ms. Frizzle pin
Another gift idea I stumbled across and was way too cute not to include in this post!
31. Room diffuser
Stone Essential Oil Diffuser
For at work or at home, either way a nice oil diffuser is perfect for creating a calmer space.. which all know teachers need and deserve more often!
32. Teacher Earrings
Cute pencil earrings
These earrings! Are you kidding me?? Beyond adorable.
33. Milk Bar Sampler
Milk Bar Gift Tin
Have you ever tried a milk bar cookie? Sooo good! This is a super yummy alternative to homemade cookies and even come in a cute tin box!
34. Lip Balm
EOS lip balm set
Everyone. Teacher or not. Always need more lip balm! The ultimate easy self care item everyone loves and uses!
35. Key chapstick holder
Lip balm key keychain holder
The perfect thing to gift with the lip balm? This beautiful lip balm keychain holder! Perfect for them to clip their lanyard or normal keychain.
36. Dry shampoo (igk)
Busy teachers deserve a good dry shampoo. This dry shampoo is the best of the best!
37. Neck fan
Portable Neck Fan
See, this is exactly why I went straight to the teachers to get these gift ideas. I would have never though of this! A neck fan is perfect for teachers when they have car rider line duty or are out supervising the playground. They’ll definitely be the coolest teacher on the playground!
38. Hydro flask
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Instead of another cutesy water bottle from the Target value spot, get them a nice, quality water bottle that perfect for on the go teachers! Stanley cups are another great, high quality option too!
39. Advil
Travel Size Advil
One teacher had a post about one of the best and totally unexpected gifts she got in the past. It was an entire teacher “survival kit” with Advil, allergy pills, Emergen-C, etc. I thought it was such a smart idea! Great option to pair with the EOS lip balm and keychain lip balm holder!
40. Relatable teacher shirt
“I’ll just wait” teacher shirt
I came cross this shirt and thought it was too funny not to share!
41.Teacher memory book
Okay, this is an extremely thoughtful and sweet gift. I think a newer teacher will especially appreciate it! This book documents all of their best memories for each class that they teach over the years.
42. Healthy snack box
With all of the cookies and sweets teachers receive, sometimes its nice for them to get a box of good-for-you snacks they can keep in their classroom for emergency fuel!
43. Key ring bracelet
Personalized key ring bracelet
Since teachers always have their hands full, this would be an awesome gift idea! Plus, it’s super cute!
Teacher supplies gifts
Did you know teachers spend a lot of their own money on supplies for their classroom and students? It’s totally not fair! Teachers always appreciate when we help out by sending in extra supplies!
44. Pre sharpened pencils
Found this suggestion on a video from a teacher talking about past gifts she’s received and really appreciated! A giant box of pre-sharpened pencils like this will last them the entire school year (hopefully lol)
45. Welly bandages
Welly Bandages
Much like the mini tool kit, bandaids are one of those things that are just nice to have on hand as a teacher. The Welly brand of bandages are super cute too!
46. Mini erasers
72 PCs Pencil Erasers
Without watching through teacher wishlist videos on TikTok, I would have never guessed how much teachers love their mini eraser stashes! I asked my daughter if her teacher uses them and she said yes too. Her teacher gives them out a mini surprises.
47. Paper Mate pens
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
This brand of pens just rein supreme and I think always will for teachers.
48. Sticky note tabs
1200-Piece Sticky Tabs Book Tabs
How cute are these sticky tabs? These are perfect for your teachers planner book, important papers on their desk, etc.
49. Cute push pins
One thing I always notice on teacher wishlists are cute office supplies! These pastel push pins are adorable! Target has some pretty cute office supplies too!
50. Cute pens
More cute office supplies! I love these pens with inspirational messages on them.
51. Take Note dry erase markers
Take-Note dry erase markers
Teachers can always use more dry erase markers of course! But, every. single. teacher. absolutely raved about the Take Note brand over the Expo brand.
52. Velcro dots
Your teachers will thank you for this one! Velcro dots seem to be a teacher must have for just about everything in their classroom! Pair this with some of the other cute office supplies listed to make a complete gift!
Nice-to-have teacher gift ideas
If you want to really wow your child’s teacher, these are perfect!
53. Instax camera
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
I love, love, love giving these Instax cameras as gifts because I think they’re really special and fun! This would be the perfect gift to give with the memory book or string lights. The memory book has spots for photos and the twinkle lights have clips to hang photos!
54. Cricut Joy
Okay, this is very much an “extra” gift. The Cricut Joy is a smaller version of the regular Cricut machines and is perfect for the classroom! Teachers can cut out shapes, letters, label things, etc. The amount of things teachers can do with this little machine are endless!
55. Apple wallet
Apple Leather Wallet with MagSafe
This wallet is a great gift for anyone but especially people who often find themselves with full hands like teachers! It attaches right to the back of their phone, has a tracker, and is extremely minimalist!
56. Portable phone charger
Portable chargers are always a great gift idea in my opinion!
57. Ember Mug
Instead of another “best teacher” mug, upgrade their day with a heated travel mug! This will keep their coffee hot for hours even when they get distracted with their classroom or students first thing in the morning!
58. Work bag (himiwari)
Laptop Backpack
I normally wouldn’t recommend something personal like a bag but I saw so many teachers raving about this exact backpack that I just had to include it. Plus, if you pick up a neutral colored one like this you can’t really fail!
PS. We have Himiwari kid’s backpacks and love them! Great quality!
59. Classroom Library Scanner
Bit of a unique teacher gift idea here but I thought it was actually a really cool idea! Teachers are using barcode scanners like this for their own classroom libraries to keep track of their books. I also saw it being used for keeping track of what holiday books go where, etc.
Gift cards for teachers
Lastly, gift cards! The holy grail of no-fail gift options!
60. Teachers pay teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
Teacher Pay Teachers is a website for printable and digital teacher resources made by other teachers! Other teachers sell printables, lessons, activities and more!
This is the ultimate gift card option so it’s at the top of list!
61. Amazon
An Amazon gift card is the perfect way to let teachers fulfill their own classroom wishlist themselves and get exactly what they’ve been needing! Send a digital one to their school email address as the perfect last minute gift idea!
62. Daily Harvest (blue apron)
Daily Harvest is SO cool! Think healthy TV dinners.. but way better! They send out frozen meals like smoothies, grain bowls, wraps, etc. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is perfect for exhausted teachers who don’t have the energy to cook but still want something healthy and fulfilling!
A meal delivery service like Blue Apron is also a great idea!
63. Message envy
Need I say much for this one? Definitely one of the best teacher gift ideas ever!
64. Ulta
The ultimate self care gift card for them that doesn’t have anything to do with them as teachers. Something that’s just for them!
65. Door Dash
I feel like a DoorDash gift card is almost better than a regular gift card to their favorite restaurant because they don’t even need to go anywhere! Another thing we love to do is order Door Dash to be sent to the school for their lunch.
Having them fill out a teacher gift questionnaire is the perfect way to know exactly what they like!
66. Movie Theater
Another one of those teacher gift ideas that “forces” them to spend their gift on themselves rather than their students or classroom!
67. Starbucks
The classic go-to gift card for any teacher!
68. Target
Second to Amazon, target gift cards were another most requested gift card for teachers!
