55 Best Teacher Gifts 2023
Whether you’re wanting teacher gifts for your child’s teacher, a teacher friend, a teacher spouse or family member, this is the list of teacher gifts for you!
So grab a coffee and sit back and relax while I help you find the perfect gift!
Teacher gifts on a budget < $10
You don’t have to spend a fortune on teacher gifts. Teachers really do appreciate the thought and love anything with a personal touch.
1. Home Baked treats
Home baked treats are always well received by teachers. Just be careful of allergies!
2. Pot plant or small cactus
So cute and they can choose whether to keep it at school or take it home.
3. Jar of ingredients for making hot chocolate or cookies
These are super easy to put together yourself and if you have multiple teachers or friends to buy for these are also easy to make in bulk. Just purchase some jars from the dollar store and fill with the required ingredients. Add a little ribbon and a personalised tag with what to add (e.g. egg + butter) and you’re ready to go.
4. Desk plant
Desk plants have become quite trendy over the past couple of years and for good reason! Plants are lovely to have in your home or classroom and adding a little message like “thanks for helping me grow” is a sweet touch.
5. Scratchies
If you’re on a budget and want a no prep gift then scratchies are great. You can pick up scratchies for as little as a few dollars and there is always something so fun about scratching a scratchy! Just be prepared that if they win you may not ever have that teacher again!
6. Tie
There are some awesome teacher inspired ties around for less than $10 that are actually really nice. Check out this map of the world tie.
7. Earrings
These back to school inspired earrings are adorable and within budget. Win win!
Teacher gifts on a budget <$20
8. A funny teacher book
I cannot think of a teacher who wouldn’t get a chuckle out of some of the answers in this book ‘F in Exams’. So fun and great value! If your teacher has a good sense of humour (and won’t be offended by the odd swear word) then this colouring book ‘What Teachers Really Want to Say But Can’t’ would be a good choice.
9. Teacher inspired face mask
It seems face masks will be around for a while. These super cute teacher inspired masks at least make wearing one more fun!
10. Lanyard
These lanyards from The teaching tools are less than $20 each and oh so adorable! I have one myself and I love it!
11. Cufflinks
If you have a male teacher to buy for that loves to wear a suit then cufflinks are a great option. There are super fun ones for teachers like these protractor one or these with little crayons.
12. Canvas tote bag
Have you ever watched a teacher walk from their car to their classroom empty handed? I doubt it! Multiple canvas bags are a must have as a teacher so these make the perfect gift.
13. Trendy lunch bag
Teachers often have to eat their lunch out on playground duty or in their classroom. Why not make it a little special with a stylish lunch bag?
14. Fun teaching socks
Novelty teacher socks are great for any teacher. There are so many different designs out there and all within a reasonable budget. Perfect for a secret santa.
15. Fun post it notes
Teachers are forever writing little notes and ideas down when they can. These post it note sets are fun and helpful to have on hand!
Personalised or personal teacher gifts
16. Personalised stamp set
How special to get a teacher a personalised set of stamps for their classroom!
17. Personalised hand sanitiser pouch
Since the pandemic it has become the norm to always carry hand sanitiser – particularly as a classroom teacher! These little pouches are so adorable and make it so easy to keep a bottle on hand at all times.
18. Personalised jar
You could fill a beautiful jar with treats, erasers, coffee pods, a small plant, or just keep empty. Super cute and the teacher can repurpose it however they want to.
19. Personalised teacher door sign
Every teacher wants their classroom to be a welcoming place for students. A personalised door sign is a perfect addition.
20. Personalised desk name plate
What teacher would want to spruce up their desk with a personalised name plate?! So adorable and so special.
21. Personalised earrings
I know a few primary school teachers who would rock these personalised teacher earrings.
22. Pencil case
Teachers tend to love their stationary (forgive the generalisation but it’s true!) So this means they also need an equally special case to put all their supplies.
23. Teacher survival kit
This is something you could put together yourself. Just get a cute little bag like this one and fill it with things you think a teacher might need on a daily basis. I would include a small suncream, hand moisturiser, face spritz, hand sanitizer, and chocolate. Or you could fill it with some stationary and some notes of affirmation.
24. Water bottle
It is easy for teachers to forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. Help them out with this drink bottle that helps them keep track of how much water they are drinking.
25. Small crossover bag for playground duty
Often teachers need to eat their lunch while also supervising students on playground duty. This can be difficult to do while also carrying their personal belongings and phone for emergencies. A small crossover bag is the perfect solution!
26. Photo album
Teachers get very attached to their students and, for the most part, they want to remember the students they have taught. A photo album is a thoughtful gift for the teacher to be able to keep a class photo for each class they teach.
27. Personalised lab coat
Have a science teacher to buy for? You can’t go wrong with a personalised lab coat.
28. Leather personalised bookmark
Teachers use bookmarks for so many things. Yes for reading novels, but also for in their teacher planners, diary, textbook, reference book etc. A personalised bookmark is a nice touch.
29. Meaningful framed print
There are some really beautiful framed quotes for teachers available on Etsy or Amazon. A personal favourite is this ‘teacher definition’.
30. Personalised wall clock
A personalised wall clock would be such a lovely addition to any classroom.
31. Personalised tote bag
I mentioned earlier how useful canvas bags are and this one is a perfect size, and personalised!
32. Personalised door mat for the classroom
As I was doing some research I came across this beautiful personalised doormat and now I want one!!!
Teacher gifts for the classroom
33. Teacher affirmations
Teaching is a hard gig. These affirmation cards will help your teacher start the day on a positive note.
34. Electronics charging station
These days it is normal for a teacher to have multiple devices going at once. A charging station is so practical and helpful to organise all the different devices a teacher may need throughout the day.
35. Desk organiser
A teacher’s desk can very quickly become chaotic. Desk organisers are a practical gift and these days there are some really lovely ones to choose from.
36. ‘To do’ list
Teachers love a good ‘to do’ list! And teachers always have a lot to do! These ‘to do’ lists from Steph Pase Planners are my absolute fave.
37. Pretty notebooks
Teachers can never have too many pretty notebooks. I can never go past Kikki.K.
38. Tea pot and cup in one
It is very often that a teacher makes a cup of tea but then doesn’t get to it until it’s cold. But if they had this lovely tea pot it would at least keep warmer for longer! This one is so cute and it comes in a gift box so you don’t even have to worry about wrapping it!
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39. Teacher stamps
The Teaching Tools have the most thoughtful and beautiful teaching stamps I have ever seen. You can buy a pack or put together your own custom choices.
40. Personalised pens
Teacher stationary can tend to go missing. These engraved pens are beautiful and practical. Get your teachers name or ‘best teacher’ engraved.
41. Print for hanging in the classroom
This ‘teacher definition’ print has such a sweet message.
42. Survival juice coffee cup
It has been well established that coffee is the survival juice of teachers. This lesson planning juice coffee cup is a great size for a decent coffee (or wine!)
43. Facial
Fun fact: I didn’t have wrinkles before I became a teacher. Treat your teacher to a much deserved facial or relaxing massage. They’ve earned it.
44. Board game
I love a good board game and your teacher may actually have time over the break to play one with their family and friends. Here are two fun teacher specific games but honestly any good card game or board game would do the trick.
Subscriptions & vouchers
I personally love subscriptions and vouchers as teacher gifts. I love having choice for what to buy and subscriptions are always fun as they keep on giving!
45. Magazine subscription
There are some fantastic magazine subscriptions out there for all sorts of interests. You could buy a subscription for their own enjoyment or maybe something suitable for the class to use as a resource too. If you’re a student or parent buying for a teacher, just a single copy of a cool magazine would be a great gift!
Here are some of my favourites:
Or for a whole list of different magazine subscription ideas including gardening, knitting etc, click here.
46. Local coffee shop voucher
Definitely a gift that will be used and enjoyed. A caffeinated teacher is a happy teacher!
47. Book subscription
Book of the month sends out fresh titles every month and they have great reviews.
48. Gift an experience
Have a quick search around the local area for ‘one off’ fun classes. Purchasing a voucher for a pottery class, ‘sip and paint’, bowl turning or cooking is a lovely way of giving an experience as a gift.
- If you’re in Australia check out Red Balloon.
- US check out Great American Days.
49. Kmart or Target voucher
Every teacher, actually… every person loves a good Kmart or Target trip!
50. Etsy or Amazon voucher
Between Etsy and Amazon a teacher can buy just about anything and everything! Both are good choices if you’re not sure what to buy.
51. Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
A TPT Gift card may not seem like the sexiest gift to give, but come mid term trust me it will be highly appreciated! What you’re really giving is a teacher some time back to spend with her family and friends rather than being up late lesson planning.
Luxury teacher gifts
If you’re organising a gift from the whole class you may have a slightly bigger budget. Or maybe it is your teacher wife/husband/loved one who you want to splurge on. Either way these are sure to make your teacher feel appreciated!
52. Coffee machine
Its no joke – teachers cannot survive without regular caffeine intake. Its proven. Don’t argue with it. Just get on board with their own coffee machine!
53. Alexa for the classroom
Alexa has so many great uses in the classroom. And did you know, you can get an Alexa smart speaker for less than $60?!
54. Massaging chair pad
It’s not very often that a teacher gets to sit at their desk. If they are lucky enough to sit during lunch then why not also help them work out those knots in their back with a luxurious massaging chair?
55. Cricut – married to a teacher? Get them this!
The Cricut is the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves crafting or organising! This is every organised teacher’s dream machine. I have one and it was possibly the best gift my husband has ever bought me!
Conclusion
Teachers are not that hard to buy for! We love stationary, organisational things, coffee and anything personalised!
You may also like my list of 53 cool science teacher gift ideas!
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Don’t keep this list to yourself! Share with your friends!
Are you a teacher? Comment below with some of the best teacher gifts you have been given!
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