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- Celebrate the teachers who lead children through their education with one of these 47 gifts.
- We rounded up gifts teachers will actually use and enjoy, from funny books to scented candles.
- You can find more gifts under $25 and under $50 here.
Teachers are the backbone of our educational system. The best ones teach students everything they need to know in and beyond the classroom, with endless enthusiasm, patience, and compassion along the way.
It’s a difficult job – especially this year, when so many teachers had to adjust to remote learning and instructing via Zoom. So make sure to give the teachers in your life the thanks they deserve with a gift they’ll actually use and enjoy.
3 Months of Rosetta Stone, from Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is giving three months of free access to its language learning programs to eligible teachers and healthcare workers. They can start anytime between May 1 and May 31, and if they have an existing subscription, Rosetta Stone will extend it by three months (unless it’s already a lifetime plan). If you’d like to gift them a program they can use for longer, you can browse Rosetta Stone’s options here.
A tablet and pen that lets them convey handwritten material remotely
XP-Pen Graphic Tablet, available on Amazon, $29.99
One of the difficult aspects of remote learning is finding resourceful and convenient ways to mirror in-person tactics teachers use. This Graphic Tablet lets teachers draw using the stylus to convey information they may have handwritten before, such as math formulas or diagrams.
A funny book of the best wrong test answers
“F in Exams” by Richard Benson, from Uncommon Goods, $8.50
After a stressful year for teachers, you may want to celebrate the funny and lighthearted side of the job. This book compiles some of the most amusing and inventive real-life wrong answers to grade school and high school tests.
A personalized embosser for their personal library
Custom Stamp, from $15, available at Etsy
This unique, thoughtful gift embosses books with “from the library of [their name]” by pressing down like a hole-puncher. It’s the kind of thing most people would never buy themselves but would genuinely cherish and get a kick out of if they received it as a present.
The best water bottle they’ll ever use
Hydro Flask Water Bottle, available on Amazon, $44.95
A stellar water bottle is a timeless life upgrade, but it’ll be especially useful this summer. This version from HydroFlask is the best water bottle you can buy, thanks to insulated stainless steel that keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to six.
Delicious food from some of the most loved restaurants in the country
Goldbelly Restaurant Meal Kits, available at Goldbelly, from $25
Bring a bit of their favorite restaurant right to their door. From bagels to barbeque, Goldbelly ships food gifts nationwide from iconic eateries in major cities.
An insulated mug
Gift the Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Mug, available on Amazon, $49.49
Whatever it is they drink in the morning to prepare them for the school day ahead, this mug keeps the beverage at the appropriate temperature for an astonishingly long amount of time. It has a comfortable handle and comes in many bright colors.
A small, water-resistant speaker to enjoy outside this summer
Soundcore Flare Mini Bluetooth Speaker, available on Amazon, $36.54
Ensure they enjoy the summer with a portable, water-resistant speaker like this version from Anker. It’s got a 12-hour battery life as well as LED lights on the bottom that they can adjust for five different lighting moods. We think it’s the best relatively cheap Bluetooth speaker you can buy.
A convenient wireless phone charger
Moshi Otto Q Wireless Charger, available on Amazon, $39.95
Make their life that much easier with a wireless fast-charging pad that they can simply set their phone on top of in order to charge. After years of using the Moshi Otto Q, we ranked this version the best wireless charger you can buy. It’s compatible with iPhones, AirPods, Samsung Galaxy/Note, Google Pixel, and other Qi-enabled devices.
A coloring book full of phrases your teacher can relate all too well to
Gift the Teacher Life: A Snarky Chalkboard Coloring Book, available on Amazon, $7.99
There are some situations that only teachers can understand, and this adult coloring book perfectly captures them with humor and cheekiness. The illustrations are single-sided, so they can take the page out and frame it if they so wish.
A comfy sleep mask
Luxury Sleep Mask, available at Amazon, $13.95
Gift a comfortable sleep mask and help them get the kind of restorative, deep sleep they must need this year.
Substantial, comfortable socks
Men’s or Women’s socks, from Bombas, $12
Adulthood transforms socks from a banal, unexciting gift to a precious life upgrade. Bombas makes some of our favorite and most comfortable pairs, and we love to gift them to friends and family.
A gift card for virtual travel experiences
Gift an Airbnb gift card for online experiences
Summer vacation is almost here, and though they may not be able to travel right now, they can still book online experiences that bring destinations and activities to life. There’s something for every inclination, including wine tastings, a virtual tour of Paris, Argentine Tango lessons, cooking Mexican cuisine, and more.
A tote bag
Gift the BAGGU Giant Pocket Tote, available at BAGGU, $34
BAGGU makes great bags and its machine-washable cotton totes are no exception. Help your teacher carry all those lesson plans, tests, and homework papers with this cute yet sturdy tote.
An REI membership that helps them get outdoors while saving money
REI Membership, available at REI, $20
A one-time, $20 payment will get them lifetime access to REI’s membership program for your outdoorsy teachers. They’ll enjoy special offers, 10% back on purchases, member-pricing on REI classes and events, and the host of other membership perks. Learn more about the REI membership program here.
Takeout any time they want it
Teachers log long days to support and enrich the lives of their students. Make sure their next easy, delicious dinner and relaxing night in is comped with a Doordash gift card.
A comfortable seat cushion
Gift the Purple Seat Cushion, available at Purple, from $39
These cushions can help soothe sore muscles and alleviate back strain. They’re available in a variety of designs and thicknesses. Read our full review here.
A scented candle that reminds them of a happy place
Homesick Scented Candle, available at Amazon, from $31.26
This is a great gift that’s sure to make them feel sentimental. Whether it’s their hometown, college town, or favorite spot to vacation, a Homesick candle — with scents inspired by all sorts of locations — will bring them back to that favorite place.
You can also gift funny, enjoyable versions of this candle — from an old book scent to something simply named “Thanks For Putting Up With My Kid.”
Six glasses of refreshing sparkling wine
If they drink alcohol, you can send them a box of six glasses of a refreshing, light sparkling wine as a thank you.
Hand sanitizer that goes on easy
Power Mist Hand Sanitizer, available at Touchland, $12
Teachers can never have too much hand sanitizer. This spray formula moisturizes, doesn’t smell like alcohol or leave hands sticky, and comes in attractive packaging that’s great for gifting. Read our full review of Touchland’s hand sanitizers here.
A way to squeeze in leisure reading
Gift an Audible 3-Month Membership, available on Amazon, $45
In between grading papers and designing lesson plans, it might be hard for your teacher to carve out time to read a book (for fun). Audible is a great way to catch up on the bestsellers everyone’s reading, appreciate the classics from a new angle, or finally dive into that book they keep falling asleep to in bed.
Decadent cupcakes they can enjoy
Cupcake Gift Boxes, available at Baked by Melissa, from $32
Who doesn’t love getting a sweet surprise? With delicious flavors ranging from Cookie Dough to Pink Frosted Donut, these bite-size treats are sure to please. You can also add a special gift box to complete the gift.
Practical, reusable silicone straws
Bendable, sustainable, and portable (thanks to the set of carrying cases), these fun straws are the accessory they can use in their classroom, at home, and on the go.
A coffee subscription
Gift a Coffee subscription, from Driftaway, $44.00
Chances are the coffee in the teacher’s lounge isn’t exactly top-notch. Thankfully, Driftaway Coffee’s is, and keeps things interesting by sending new whole bean varieties every month (and improving upon the next selection based on their feedback). By the end of the school year, your teacher will have a good idea of the type of coffee they really like.
A detailed poster of the opening lines from famous novels
Gift the Lab ‘Diagrammatical Dissertation on Opening Lines of Notable Novels’, available at Pop Chart, $30
English and grammar teachers will appreciate this chart diagramming the opening lines from 25 famous works of fiction. After admiring the partitioned, color-coded picto-grammatical representations, they’ll want to read the books all over again.
A fragrant candle
Gift an Otherland Candle, available at Otherland, $36
These sophisticated coconut and soy wax candles come in scents ranging from refreshing Canopy (fig, ivy greens, mint) to rich Chandelier (champagne, saffron, leather). The beautiful look, delightful scents, and personalized matchbox make this candle gifting experience special.
A set of ring holders
Origami Ring Holder 3-Pack, available at Umbra, $20
The origami animals can be used as desk decorations or jewelry holders, but either way, they’re unique and adorable. The chrome finish is easy to wipe clean, and each figurine can hold multiple rings.
A small potted plant for their desk
Gift the Snake Plant Zeylanica, available at The Sill, $43
Instead of gifting a flower bouquet, try an indoor plant. It lasts longer and requires less maintenance, but livens up their desk just as well.
A heartfelt, personalized thank you card
Personalized Teacher Thank you for believing in me Vintage Style Winnie the Pooh Keepsake End of term Greeting Card, from Etsy, $5.09
Sometimes it just feels nice to be appreciated. A sweet card can go a long way — and it won’t break the bank.
A pillow massager for their neck and back
Gift the Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager, available on Amazon, $49.95
If you’ve ever caught your child’s teacher looking stressed or tense, you can fix that with this heated at-home massager that feels almost like a professional massage. It has four deep-kneading rotating nodes to relieve aches, knots, and muscle tension.
A fun tape dispenser
Gift the Otto the Otter Tape Dispenser, available on Amazon, $16.24
An adorable twist to the traditional, ugly tape dispenser will instantly liven up their desk.
A cute, funny mug
Watch Me Click Now Watch Me Grade Grade mug, from Etsy, $13.50
A cute mug that reminds them of their grateful students can be a fun, routine moment of motivation in a busy day.
A cellphone stand
Gift the Lamicall Cellphone Stand, available on Amazon, $9.99
The simple, sleek, and durable stand is the perfect way to keep their device upright at just the right angle as they work. While it’s a no-frills gift, it’s undoubtedly practical and useful.
A personalized desk sign
Gift the Personalized Desk Wedge Sign, from Etsy, from $23.99
The wedge is a solid natural hardwood while the sign is shatter-resistant fogged acrylic glass, allowing it to last through any teacher’s illustrious career.
A note to show your gratitude
Gift the “It Takes a Village Card,” available at Etsy, $5.50
Educators are an important part of the village it takes to raise kind, thoughtful citizens. Show your appreciation with a letterpress note that shares this sentiment.
A gift card to stock up on versatile work shirts
Public Rec makes the most we’ve found, and many of the offerings from this athleisure brand are suitable for the classroom and beyond.
A gift card to a popular women’s workwear shop
Gift an M.M.LaFleur gift card, from $50
Popular women’s workwear brand M.M.LaFleur makes excellent pants and blazers that are definitely an investment, but worth the price. Its Bento Box contains these stylish and comfortable wardrobe staples to take the headache out of getting dressed in the morning.
A custom rubber stamp
Gift a Custom Stamp, from Etsy, from $15
Gift the stamp they’ll always reach for first as they check and grade homework. You can get creative by submitting a picture of your teacher’s face or their favorite catchphrase. There are three different mount choices and many more size options.
A book-of-the-month subscription for summer reading
Gift a Book of the Month Membership, from three months for $49.99
A hardcover book delivered monthly is a great way for a teacher to unplug and kick their feet up over summer break. Every month, they can choose from acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles.
A cozy plush blanket
Bliss Plush Throw, available at Nordstrom, $39.50
Add to their home setup with a plush throw to wrap themselves in luxury. Available in a wide array of colors, this blanket adds a cozy and soothing warmth to any room.
A personalized notebook, planner, or address book
Gift the Teach From The Heart Notebook, from Minted, $18
Give this one to the best teacher you know. You’ll be able to customize the cover design, interior cover, and interior format of the notebook.
A Disney+ subscription
Gift a Disney+ subscription, from $79.99 month
There’s no better way to start summer break than with a binge-worthy streaming subscription. With Disney+, they get unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. Read everything there is to know about Disney+ over here.
A novelty USB flash drive
Gift the Pink Pig USB 2.0 Flash Drive, available on Amazon, $13.99
A cute and funny flash drive can instantly make work more fun. Sometimes, it’s the little things.
Gift cards
Buy a gift card from: Amazon, Target, Staples
At the end of the day, teachers will always appreciate a gift card, especially if it’s to a store where they can stock up on supplies.
A smart home device
Gift the Amazon Echo Dot, available on Amazon, $24.99
For work or leisure, the small smart home device is endlessly useful. They can play Jeopardy, ask for recipes, listen to the news, turn lights on, play music, reorder products, and more.
A personalized key ring
Gift the Leatherology Hotel Keychain, available at Leatherology, $15
The full-grain leather keychain is a perfectly composed accessory that they’ll love to carry, especially if you personalize it (for only $5) with a monogram.
Beautiful note cubes inspired by an American artist
Gift the Louis C. Tiffany Favrile Note Cube Set, available at The Met, $36
Known for his stained glass work, Louis C. Tiffany lends his colorful and delicate designs to these trays, which hold 500 loose paper sheets and 50 color paper clips.