30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (2024)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (1)

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Imagine for a minute that you're surrounded by two dozen screaming kids, all armed with dull safety scissors and gluey hands. Then imagine you have a cute personalized tumbler filled with a freshly brewed latte from the new espresso machine in the break room. You're feeling at least two percent better, right? The best teacher appreciation gifts show that you see the work your kids' teachers put into every single day, and you want to reward them with something that'll make their (long, long) days slightly easier.

The truth is that finding gifts for teachers can be a hard task. Not every educator wants a candle (and based on our research, they REALLY don't want another coffee mug)! In fact, based on some brutally honest Reddit threads, teachers at your school may or may not have an underground network of trading all the candles and lotions for "things they don't hate." Firstly, that's hilarious. Secondly, that begs the question ... what is the greatest gift to give a teacher?

The greatest thing our school does is start each year with fact sheets that list the teachers' favorite things. But not everyone is so lucky! That's why I consulted Reddit threads, polled some teachers, and scoured the internet for the best gifts out there in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week starting May 6, 2024, and National Teacher Day one day later. If nothing below strikes your fancy, you can always check out our definitive list of the best gifts under $50.

1

Best Unique Gift Under $20

Personalized Teacher Tumbler

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (2)

1

Best Unique Gift Under $20

Personalized Teacher Tumbler

My first source for this list was an obvious one: my child's teacher. She confirmed that yes, teachers want gift cards — lots of them. In fact, she recommended a "gift card bouquet," in which parents team up to clip various gift cards into floral card holders and arrange them like you would a bouquet of flowers. Where does this adorable custom iced coffee tumbler come in? That should serve as the pot. Isn't it just like a teacher to be so creative?

2

Best Gift for Kindergarten Teacher

Heart Keepsake

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (3)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (4)

2

Best Gift for Kindergarten Teacher

Heart Keepsake

Now 15% Off

If this acrylic heart doesn't scream "kindergarten teacher," I don't know what does.

3

Best Personalized Gift From Amazon

Canvas Tote Bag

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (5)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (6)

3

Best Personalized Gift From Amazon

Canvas Tote Bag

Teachers — always toting stuff, am I right? To make their lives a bit easier, gift them a sturdy tote bag emblazoned with the "technical" definition of teacher. Amazon reviewers are all about this capacious bag, which comes in seven teacher-forward designs.

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4

Appreciation Gift You Can Buy in Bulk

Ceramic Plant Pot

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (7)

4

Appreciation Gift You Can Buy in Bulk

Ceramic Plant Pot

Whether they teach preschool or high school, every educator will appreciate this sweet little succulent they can set on their desk.

RELATED: More Top-Rated Plant and Garden Gifts

5

The Gift Teachers Actually Want

Amazon eGift Card

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (8)

5

The Gift Teachers Actually Want

Amazon eGift Card

"This line of work doesn’t pay enough for true self care," wrote one Reddit user. Give teachers a free pass to spend on bath products, or whatever brings them relaxation, with an Amazon gift card.

6

Best Gift Box for Teacher

Teacher Gift Basket

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (9)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (10)

6

Best Gift Box for Teacher

Teacher Gift Basket

When you want a little bit of everything, go for this well-stocked box that comes with a tumbler, a zippered "survival kit" for their small stuff, socks, a bracelet, and more. There's also a cute "Chaos Coordinator" version for your principal!

RELATED: 10 Best Teacher Subscription Boxes

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7

Unique Gift Idea Under $10

"Thank You" Bookmark

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (11)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (12)

7

Unique Gift Idea Under $10

"Thank You" Bookmark

Amazon reviewers love this sweet silver bookmark, which is a simple gift that will go a long way.

8

Best Personalized Gift for Their Desk

Personalized Desk Nameplate

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (13)

8

Best Personalized Gift for Their Desk

Personalized Desk Nameplate

How sweet is this custom nameplate? It's acrylic, not glass, so you don't have to worry about it shattering when it inevitably falls on the ground.

9

Unexpected Home Gift

Heated Blanket

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (14)

9

Unexpected Home Gift

Heated Blanket

One Reddit user commented that her coworker received a heated blanket from parents and "WOW, that thing looked nice." Ha! Be the parent that gives the good gift!

RELATED: Best Gifts for Her Under $50 That Don't Look Cheap

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10

Thoughtful Desk Accessory for Teachers

Willow Tree You're The Best! Angel

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (15)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (16)

10

Thoughtful Desk Accessory for Teachers

Willow Tree You're The Best! Angel

If they're a Willow Tree person (it's a thing), they definitely need this apple-wielding angel.

11

Best Jewelry for Teacher

"READ" Drop Earrings

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (17)

11

Best Jewelry for Teacher

"READ" Drop Earrings

Make sure their lobes are pierced before you gift them a pair of these earrings! There are a few variations on the designs, including a pair with more muted, peachy colors.

12

Most Sentimental Gift

Minted Thank You Card

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (18)

12

Most Sentimental Gift

Minted Thank You Card

It may sound simple, but a heartfelt thank-you note goes a long way. One Reddit user noted that her favorite gift was a card with a few questions answered by their child, i.e. "What makes [this teacher] the best? What does [this teacher] do that makes you happy?" Personalizing the card with a photo of the student will make it that much more memorable years down the line.

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13

Gift Idea Under $25

Copper Cow Coffee Single-Serve Classic Lattes

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (19)

13

Gift Idea Under $25

Copper Cow Coffee Single-Serve Classic Lattes

Once they clear all the gift cards out of their personalized tumbler, they'll want some coffee to put in it, right? Get them a set of premium Vietnamese coffee that'll make eight lattes on the go — perfect for that long afternoon stretch.

14

Personalized Clothing Gift

BFFS & BABES Custom Cozy Sweatshirt

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (20)

14

Personalized Clothing Gift

BFFS & BABES Custom Cozy Sweatshirt

"I got a custom tie-dyed sweatshirt that is my very favorite piece of clothing," wrote one Reddit user. "On the chest, my name, Miss ____, is embroidered in the child’s handwriting. So much better than another candle, mug, hand cream, or chocolate!"

Embroidering in the kid's handwriting is truly next-level, though you can get pretty close with the custom tie-dye collection from female-founded brand BFFS & BABES.

15

The Gift Card They Really Need

Massage Envy Massage Envy Gift Card

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (21)

15

The Gift Card They Really Need

Massage Envy Massage Envy Gift Card

"One family gifted me an hour massage at a local spa," commented one Reddit user. "Something that I would never spend the money on myself. But it was so wonderful!" Either look around for something local or grab a gift card to Massage Envy — they're everywhere.

Pro tip: Find out how much a treatment is, then calculate the gratuity to come up with a total balance so the teacher won't have to pay for any of their visit.

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16

Fun Gift for Teacher

Clifton Wilson Bumblebee Lapel Pin

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (22)

16

Fun Gift for Teacher

Clifton Wilson Bumblebee Lapel Pin

Buzzy accessories company Clifton Wilson makes tons of cute lapel pins, including assorted ladybugs and roses. Because teachers are the ultimate busy bees, I'm obsessed with the idea of getting them a little bumblebee.

17

Useful Gift for Teacher

Aloha Collection Pinstripe Mini Hip Pack

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (23)

17

Useful Gift for Teacher

Aloha Collection Pinstripe Mini Hip Pack

For the teacher who is constantly supervising the playground, this hip pack from Aloha will be a perfect home to a whistle, band-aids, some lip balm, and everything else they'll need for a successful recess. Bonus points if you pack those things in there before you gift it to them!

RELATED: Best Belt Bags and Fanny Packs Our Editors Are Loving in 2024

18

Custom Gift for Teacher

Custom Teacher Lanyard

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (24)

18

Custom Gift for Teacher

Custom Teacher Lanyard

When I say this lanyard is fully customizable, I don't just mean the name part. There are options for the type of wood beads you want, the length, the keychain metal, the tassel color, an optional badge holder, and dozens of potential bead combos. The seller will even gift wrap the lanyard in a pretty pink box for an extra $1.50!

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19

Best Group Gift for Teacher

Philips 1200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (25)

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (26)

19

Best Group Gift for Teacher

Philips 1200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Now 15% Off

Thinking of going in on one big gift with some other families? If your teacher is always spending their hard-earned cash on lattes, consider an espresso machine. This option from Philips makes two shots simultaneously and has a frother for perfectly warmed milk. Amazon users love how easy it is to clean and say the compact size is ideal for smaller countertops. (This would be a welcome addition to the teacher's lounge, too!)

20

Splurge Gift

CALPAK Luka Duffle Bag

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (27)

20

Splurge Gift

CALPAK Luka Duffle Bag

Encourage them to get the heck out of town with this beloved duffle bag from CALPAK. It comes in three colors and is ideal for a weekend trip away ... literally anywhere far from the classroom.

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (28)

Maggie Panos

Freelancer Writer

After over a decade as a digital editor, Maggie Panos is navigating freelance writing and full-time parenting. She covered entertainment for POPSUGAR from New York and San Francisco before setting down roots in tree-covered Portland and focusing on local journalism. A self-proclaimed "okay baker", Maggie is interested in all things lifestyle — especially if those things involve Bravolebrities.

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (2024)

FAQs

30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators? ›

It really depends on each individual family's circ*mstances, too. For some, $100 is right on the mark, while for others it's overly generous. It certainly seems that no one finds it stingy, however.

What do teachers really want as a gift? ›

Save the apples for your own lunch and surprise your teacher with one of these thoughtful gifts instead.
  • The pencil sharpener that all the teachers are talking about. ...
  • Everyone loves a good book. ...
  • Personalized pencils. ...
  • Gift cards. ...
  • Their go-to grading tool, but better. ...
  • A bottle of nice wine. ...
  • A new lanyard. ...
  • School supplies.

Is $100 too much for a teacher gift? ›

It really depends on each individual family's circ*mstances, too. For some, $100 is right on the mark, while for others it's overly generous. It certainly seems that no one finds it stingy, however.

How much money do you give for teacher appreciation? ›

Price range for teacher gifts

“If your child has the teacher for just one period of the day, $10 to $20 is appropriate.” Melissa Verity Baral teaches kindergarten in Los Angeles and tells SheKnows that most parents give $25 to $50 gift cards.

What is a good gift card amount for a teacher? ›

Most teacher gift cards fall between $10 and $30, but there is no required amount for a gift card — we're sure they would appreciate any and every amount you want to give! There's no pressure for an amount. Choose an amount based on your budget.

What is the greatest gift to a teacher? ›

  • We Are Teachers. Personalized Thank-You Note. ...
  • We Are Teachers. Top 5 Teacher Gift Card Picks. ...
  • We Are Teachers. Free Printable Gift Card Holders. ...
  • Etsy. Teacher Appreciation Week Gift Card Holder. ...
  • Amazon. Coffee-Themed Gift Card Holders. ...
  • Amazon. Pencil Gift Card Holder. ...
  • Etsy. Clipboard Gift Card Holder. ...
  • Amazon. Floral Gift Card Holders.
Apr 17, 2024

Is $50 too much for a teacher gift? ›

Our etiquette expert would like to remind parents, “You don't have to spend a lot of money, and sometimes, a handwritten note from the heart is the best gesture of appreciation.” That said, Schweitzer says that, depending on the school policy, $50 may be appropriate (and she prefers a pooled gift) if your child has the ...

Is a $25 gift card too cheap? ›

For co-workers, casual friends and your children's teachers, stay in the $10 to $20 range. Gift cards for close friends and family members can range from $25 to $100. When you're selecting a gift card for a spouse, parent or someone else who's very special, choose a card worth $75 or more.

Can teachers accept gifts over $50? ›

The State Ethics Commission for the government of Massachusetts, for example, states that teachers "may not accept any gift worth $50." Most other states have the same ethics code, but with a limit set even lower. A safe bet would be to keep your gift under $20, and public opinion is right around that same number.

Is $25 a good teacher gift? ›

Most people give anywhere between $25–$35, and we recommend using it to purchase gift cards (teachers' top choice) or other consumables.

Do teachers like cash gifts? ›

And more than any physical gift, teachers appreciate your support. Whew. OK. That being said, if you're insistent about giving gifts to the teachers you care about this holiday season, there is one gift I can guarantee every teacher is happy to receive and will definitely put to good use: cash.

Do teachers like gift cards? ›

l asked educators about their holiday wishes. Gift cards and school supplies topped the list, along with handwritten notes and other simple acts of appreciation.

Is it okay to give teachers gift cards? ›

While you can't control the demands of their job, you can easily express your gratitude in a multitude of ways, including giving a thoughtful gift. There's no shortage when it comes to all the different gifts you could buy any teachers you know, but a gift card may be the best option out of them all.

Is a $10 gift card too cheap? ›

The perception of whether a $10 gift card is too cheap can vary depending on the context and the recipient's preferences. While it may not cover substantial purchases, it can still be appreciated as a token of appreciation or a contribution towards a larger purchase. Can you get a $10 Starbucks gift card?

Can you give teachers expensive gifts? ›

The law prohibits gifts to public employees, not gifts to public agencies. You may give gifts to a public school, or a particular classroom, and the $50 limit does not apply. Your school district may have its own additional rules about gifts, which you should follow.

Is a Target gift card a good teacher gift? ›

Gift cards

An Amazon gift card can be handy for purchasing everything from classroom snacks and colored pencils to something nice for themselves. Same goes for Target.

Is it appropriate to buy a teacher a gift? ›

Key Takeaways. A holiday gift is great way to show your childs' teacher you appreciate them. It truly is the thought that counts, a homemade gift or a heartfelt card is just as good as something store bought. The decision is up to you and your family, there are many ways to show appreciation outside of a holiday gift.

Are you supposed to give teachers gifts? ›

While giving a gift at the end of the school year isn't required, it's a nice way to tell teachers THANK YOU for being there for our kids every day.

Should we give gift to teacher? ›

Gifts at the end of the year are great for students to give teachers because the family may have that teacher again in the future. Administrators can send teachers off for the summer happy with their job and school. Teachers can get ready for the following year with a great attitude and effort.

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