40+ Christmas Gifts for Teachers That Really Show Your Appreciation

We can never truly thank teachers for everything they do for our kids, but we can try with these thoughtful gift ideas — just in time for the holiday season.

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November 09, 2023

They spend all day with your kids — listening to their stories and hearts, finding the perfect book or craft to spark their interest, discovering a different way to explain a hard-to-solve problem — and they deserve every bit of love and affection we can give them. Show teachers how much they mean to you and your kids. Scroll down to find our top gift picks for the best teachers around.

$18.99

Gift your teacher their own stamp of approval with this custom self-inking stamp. Kids will love the personalized note, and it'll make grading a little extra fun for your teacher.

$14.99 (Pack of 8)

Give a gift that keeps on giving with these eco-friendly and biodegradable Sprout graphite plantable pencils. Yep, you read that right. These innovative pencils feature a decomposable seed capsule on the end so that when the pencil gets too short to use, your teacher can simply turn it upside and plant the capsule in soil to grow an assortment of fragrant herbs, beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables.d

Keep your favorite teacher hydrated with this customizable water bottle. Available in three sizes, 14 colors and 17 designs, you can truly pick the one that fits their personality best and even personalize it further with a name or fun saying. Not sure of their interests? Stick with your school colors for a spirited alternative.

$17.99

Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kits are great, and this one is specifically for teachers. It's the perfect addition to a gift basket full of their favorite things. In addition to the essential red pen and gold star stickers, it also has lip balm, bandages, floss, double-sided tape and other always-needed school items.

$27 (Pack of 6)

Satisfy their sweet tooth with an assorted cookie tin from sweet-meets-savory shop Milk Bar. These cookie cornucopias cover all the bases: fruity, corny, chewy, crispy, fudgy and salty-sweet.

$19.95

Say "thank you" with a gift that also comes with a side of relaxation (especially if you pair it with a bottle of wine). This nine-ounce soy candle from Sweet Water Decor smells incredible with notes of tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, limes and a base of exotic mountain greens.

Elevate the everyday routine with a beautiful, personalized notebook. Handmade in New York City, this journal comes with 176 gold-gilded perforated papers and is refillable once every page has been used.

$16.49 (Set of 20)

Whether they're sending out thank you notes or scribbling a letter to a parent, a stack of pretty cards is handy to have on their desk. Illustrator Jane Mount took her bibliophile art prints down to card size so that book lovers can show off their passion.

$7.49 (Set of 6)

Pair a journal or planner with other stylish office supplies to create a teacher-worthy gift. With classrooms full of the same dry-erase markers, pencils and erasers, it'll be a nice break from routine to have a set of sophisticated pastel highlighters.

Created with essential oils and natural ingredients, this bedtime gift set comes complete with calming Goodnight Mist, moisturizing Sleep Well Body Butter and rollable Sleep Well Oil Blend. What a luxurious way to drift into a state of total relaxation.

$44

Gift your teacher their very own Internet-famous Stanley 40-Ounce Tumbler to keep their beverages cold all day long. Constructed of 90 percent BPA-free stainless steel, this tumbler is durable enough to last a lifetime and, most importantly, reduces the use of single-use plastic water bottles.

We have a local boutique that puts together the best gift baskets and boxes for our teachers, and I love that this Etsy shop does the same thing, no matter where you live. This lovely collection of herbal tea, artisan biscotti and honey has all the essentials your teacher will need to have a cuppa at tea time.

Inject a little whimsy into your teacher's wardrobe with a playful tote bag that can transport their belongings to and from work. This library card tote celebrates their most beloved titles (and the ones they've yet to crack).

From $29.39

Enhance her dress-down days with this fun shirt featuring every kid's favorite teacher: Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. Available in a dozen colors and a large range of sizes, the sweet gift is a gentle reminder to "Take Chances. Make Mistakes. Get Messy."

$20

Take their lunch game to the next level with this high-quality, minimalist BPA-free plastic and silicone bowl. The roomy design easily totes salads, grain bowls, pasta and more; plus, the bowl is microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Lunch breaks may be mere minutes, but at least your teacher can eat in style.

From $36.99

Give thanks with lush succulents from Lula's Garden. Arriving in a sleek, modern gift box that doubles as the planter itself, these easy-care greens can be watered right in the box. It even comes with a cheerful sleeve to show your appreciation in style.

$22

Filling children's minds with all the knowledge is tiring work, and she deserves a meal someone else has fixed. Combine this beautiful, colorful dish towel with a gift card to her favorite restaurant, and you'll definitely get a gold star.

$10.99

Teachers love gifts they can use at school, so give them a brand-new book to add to their classroom library. For young elementary-age, you can't go wrong with The Bear Books by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.

$28 (Set of 5)

Turn their morning shower into a spa experience with these invigorating shower steamers. Infused with energizing cedar orange and pine essential oil scents, it'll let them start their day off on the right foot.

$9.99 (Set of 4)

They need all the caffeine they can get. Attach a gift card to their favorite coffee spot to this teacher appreciation card holder to keep them sharp and energized on those painfully early mornings.

Add a touch of spa-like retreat to your teacher's pillow with this lavender pillow insert. The natural scent will help her drift off to sleep and leave her school worries behind for the day. Pop it in the microwave or fridge before heading to bed and the flax stuffing maintains the heat or coolness while she falls asleep.

From $5

The gift that always fits and is appreciated, gift cards give your teacher freedom to do a little guilt-free shopping or more likely, use them to buy classroom supplies for the kiddos she dearly loves. If that feels too impersonal, pair it with a lovely coffee mug.

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