10 Teacher Gift Ideas They Actually Want & a Free Printable Gift Card Holder!

teacher-gift-ideas

gift ideas for teachers

It’s that time again! Teacher Appreciation Week is coming!

But, if you’re like me, you buy gifts for your teachers a few times a year.

I can’t help it. I spent 9 years in the classroom as an English teacher. It was some of the best, and hardest, years of my life.

Due to budget cuts and other issues, I spent hundreds of my own limited income to buy supplies for exciting activities and decor for the classroom.

The kindness that my students and their families showed me around holidays and teacher appreciation week were what kept me afloat. Simple gifts, like handwritten notes of gratitude, to the more luxurious gifts, were all so appreciated and filled my tank, so I could continue to give to my students.

That’s why I take teacher gifts very seriously! I love showing my appreciation for the hardworking educators in my kids’ lives.

Here are some great ideas, in a wide range of price ranges, you can get some sweet ideas for your teachers – written by a former teacher! Some links below are affiliate links.

1. Gift Card with Printable Card:

teacher gift ideaI know that this feels like a thoughtless gift – but hear me out. Imagine if every kid in the class got just a $10 gift card. That would equal at least $250 in gift cards that the teacher could put towards something for themselves.

Or, in all honesty, most teachers use those gift cards to buy more things for the class, unless it’s something like a coffee gift card.

I happen to be obsessed with coffee. One year, my students came together and agreed that everybody got Starbucks gift cards. I walked out school for Christmas break with over $300 in Starbucks gift cards. I literally cried.

That covered my coffee budget for something like 3 months. It was such a great gift for a young teacher that was putting so much heart, soul, and my own money into my classroom to serve my students.

To make that teacher gift card feel more special, add a simple printable card. In fact, I designed a free one that you can print on thick cardstock paper. This will fit in a simple 5×7 envelope. I really like this brand of envelopes from Amazon and use them all the time for things like this.gift ideas for teachers

Just attach the gift card to the cardstock and slip it in the envelope. If you’re distance learning, ask for an address and ship it off. Easy peasy. Or, you can tuck a gift card inside something else -like a clear tote bag or a cute coffee mug, to give it a thoughtful touch

2. Teacher Market Tote

gift ideas for teachers

This tote bag makes a GREAT gift! Such a cute print and can be customized for your teacher.

I can’t believe the price on this. Just a great deal for such a sweet gift.

You can roll these up and wrap a big bow around it and bam – done. Even if you have multiple teachers, you are still keeping the price down while giving a very thoughtful gift.

Here’s another super cute tote that you can order on Amazon if you’d like to shop there instead:gift ideas for teachers

3. Gratitude Journal

gift ideas for teachers

I love notebooks. Like, loooooove them. But, there actually is a limit to how many you can have before they just start piling up.

That’s why it’s nice to mix it up and grab them something different, like this super affordable gratitude journal. It comes in a variety of different covers, too, so you could easily find something that works for your favorite teacher. There’s a blue plaid one with a geometric theme great for guy teachers, too.

Add a special pen to make a sweet gift.

4. Books for Teachers

I really love a beautifully wrapped book and most teachers I know do, too. The beauty of the book gift is that it is thoughtful, but also very affordable, and looks beautiful when wrapped.

I mean, win win win – right?

I would say to get the hardback book if available, because it really gives the gift that extra touch. Here are a few books that I absolutely love and think any teacher would love, too. Click any picture to shop:


5. Teacher T-Shirt by TeeCrew on Etsygift ideas for teachers

I absolutely love this super creative t-shirt. The price is affordable and the Friends theme is super on point for most teachers.

There are so many great teacher inspired shirts available. I love the punctuation ones for English teachers.

6. Teacher Water Bottle

teacher-gift-ideas

I picked up these gold glitter water bottle from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Jar and put a bottle of locally made matcha in it for my son’s teacher for Christmas.

She absolutely loved it and my son loved the superhero inspired design.

Teachers really are superheroes – aren’t they?

I’m a huge fan of this company. Every purchase I’ve made from their shop has arrived in perfect condition, held up well over time and made a great gift.

Highly recommend.

7. 50 More Gift Ideas

Recently, I wrote this post for SignUpGenius – a blog that reaches over 18 MILLION people – a MONTH!

It has amazing gift ideas to give you lots of inspo for the great teachers in your life.

8. Teacher Zipper Pouch

gift ideas for teachersThis is SO SO cute. Teachers have a zillion little things floating around all the time that have nowhere to go. This is such a great gift. Plus, you could put little things in it, like a coffee card, a cute notepad, pen, etc, for a super thoughtful gift.

9. Teacher Succulent

gift ideas for teachers I loved keeping a little plant on my desk. It just reminded me of how important it is to create conditions that allow for students to flourish and grow. You never blame a plant for dying, you blame the conditions in which it is planted. This is a beautiful thought to remember as a teacher.

So, a succulent, which is very easy to care for, is a really sweet gift for a teacher. Grab this pot for under $10 and add a small succulent picked up from the store and you’re done!

Or, how about this adorable succulent themed, customized notepad?gift ideas for teachers

10. Handwritten Note

Don’t ever forget the incredible impact a thoughtful note will be for your tired teacher.

I still have hundreds of cards, stories, notes, emails given to me by students who poured their heart onto the page for me.

Sometimes, even though it’s been years since I’ve been in the classroom, I’ll go back and read them when I need a reminder of the impact that one person can have in the world.

*****

There you have it, friends. My favorite picks for teacher gifts that will show your teacher how much you appreciate all of their hard work!

Please comment below with your own favorite ideas, too!

Have a fabulous day,

E

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