I still remember the first gift I received as a teacher. It was a shrink-wrapped, glitter-sprinkled plastic nativity scene that a seventh grader had picked out for me himself at a dollar store. I thought it was the best gift ever.
Most teachers I know are honored to simply receive a heartfelt, handmade thank-you note, and it’s common for teachers to keep appreciative letters from students—sometimes for decades. They’re a comfort to turn to when the profession gets rough.
That said, we aren’t immune to the power of a great gift, either. (One colleague of mine still uses a pair of Japanese garden shears that a family gave him more than 20 years ago.)
To compile this list, I drew on my years of experience teaching at both public and private schools, and collected suggestions from teachers across the country. I aimed to suggest ideas for a range of budgets but kept in mind that small, simple gifts can feel special too. “A $5 gift card to somewhere like Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts (or the local equivalent) is awesome,” said Mary Beth Foster, a high school teacher in Mint Hill, North Carolina. “It always made me feel appreciated to get little gift cards from students, and I never thought of it as ‘just’ $5.”
Hardy greenery
A houseplant from Rooted, paired with a colorful and chic ceramic planter, is a cheerful gift that can be used in a classroom or a teacher’s home.
For teachers lucky enough to have their own classroom, it can feel like a second home—perhaps one worthy of a thoughtful housewarming-type gift. In our testing, Rooted stood out as the best online shop for ordering plants (and cheerful planters) as gifts. Many of their plants would be great for teachers, including a snake plant or money plant. Both are very, very hard to kill, so they’re perfect for classroom conditions. If you can’t find your preferred plant on Rooted, we were equally impressed by Horti’s quality and convenience, though the service offers fewer gift options.
Classroom rainbows
On a sunny day, this solar-powered hanging crystal showers a room with rainbows.
What better to brighten a teacher’s classroom than rainbows? The Kikkerland Solar Powered Rainbow Maker is one of our favorite gifts for kids, and plenty of adults love it too. It attaches to a window with a suction cup. Solar-powered gears spin a suspended crystal, which, when hit with direct sunlight, projects tiny rainbows all over the room.
Mini waffles
This mini waffle maker will make any breakfast feel festive and fun.
Available in a wide range of patterns and colors ranging from a pretty pink to skulls and crossbones (which imprints on the cooked waffles!), it’s possible you could select a different Dash Mini Waffle Maker for every teacher your child interacts with (it’s a pick in our guide to the best kids cooking tools). Consider pairing your Mini with a jug of real maple syrup (like this one from New Hampshire-based Monadnock Sugar House) and your family’s waffle recipe, and you’ve just gifted your child’s teacher their next stay-home Sunday brunch.
Ice cream social
Send a teacher home with the fixings for an at-home ice cream party centered around these pretty bowls.
These brightly colored Annovero dessert bowls have a lot going for them. They look more expensive than they are, add a splash of color to any table, and are an ideal size for an ice cream sundae. Pair them with Wirecutter’s favorite ice cream scoop or a gift card for another of our picks, Jenni’s Ice Cream, which features tantalizing flavors including Darkest Chocolate and Brambleberry Crisp.
A backward clock
Watching the clock takes on fresh meaning when a teacher hangs this counter-clockwise-moving timepiece on the wall.
The first time I saw a clock like this one from Loftus in my colleague’s classroom, I thought my day of needing glasses had finally come. Soon, however, some sixth graders set me straight. “The clock is backward!” they said, delighted. To this day, that clock remains one of the most stared at and beloved items at our school. It’s a guaranteed kid-pleaser, and with its quirky brainteaser roots, teachers love it, too.
A Galileo thermometer
Invented almost 400 years ago, this beautiful thermometer is surprisingly accurate.
Teachers will love the story (and controversy!) behind Lily’s Home Glass Galileo Thermometer. Some claim that Galileo’s thermoscope was the inspiration; others say that scientists from a Florentine academy founded by Grand Duke Ferdinand II and his brother Leopoldo deserve the credit. The liquid-filled, laboratory-grade glass tube depends on Archimedes’s principle of buoyancy to work. As the ambient air temperature changes, so does the temperature of the liquid, which affects its density. This causes the counterweighted liquid-filled glass bubbles suspended inside the tube to rise or fall. The air temperature (stamped on the counterweight) is usually indicated by the ball floating in the lowest position in the top half of the cylinder. The thermometer is most accurate between 64 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great indoor gift for curious, inquiry-loving classrooms.
A bookish puzzle
This 500-piece puzzle features both contemporary and classic titles and comes in an adorable book-shaped box.
This gorgeous puzzle, perfect for an English teacher or avid reader, features over 60 titles by authors who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). Bookworms won’t be able to resist the urge to complete the puzzle to see how many they’ve read (titles include Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer; The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin; The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo; and Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu). In addition to the high-quality pieces and beautiful graphics, the charming and unusual book-shaped box eliminates the need for any additional gift wrap.
Personalized supplies
This personalized pad comes with a simple gold border and the teacher’s name at the bottom of each page.
Bright, personalized pencils help keep a teacher’s supply from wandering off.
Unlike people in many other jobs, teachers generally aren’t given business cards, stationery, or anything else embossed with their names. That’s why I’m grateful for the personalized notepad a parent gave me a few years back. It makes me feel like a professional. The Shutterfly Bordered List 5x7 Notepad is attractive, affordable, and perfect for writing quick notes to send home with students. For more formal correspondence, this personalized stationery set from Paper Source is a luxurious choice.
Embossed pencils are another simple yet personalized gift. If a student decides to accidentally abscond with one, their teacher can spot it (you’d be amazed how often this happens). The fluorescent ones I ordered from Oriental Trading Company are inexpensive, and my name is clear and easy to read. I also like the bright colors—they’d stand out in a kid’s pencil box from the usual yellow variety.
Words of encouragement
These stickers add a unique touch to marking quizzes and other papers.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that no matter how old students are, be it 5 or 15, they love stickers. Teachers do too. Star Student Personalized Teacher Stickers come adorned with a teacher’s name and encouraging sayings. They’re also available in apple and pencil designs.
Library labels
This stamp is a delightful and practical way for teachers to quickly label every book in their library.
These customizable bookplates have an old-timey, whimsical style.
Personalized stamps or bookplates make for thoughtful, unexpected gifts for teachers with their own classroom library (or to use on their books at home). I’ve had the GlitterPuff Custom Self-Inking Stamp for four years, and it still works well. The satisfaction of stamping a book guarantees that I can always find a volunteer when I need help in my library. For more intricate designs, Oiseaux makes personalized bookplates in a host of designs, including a teacher cat and wise owl. Felix Doolittle also has a lovely collection of bookplates, with a cleaner, more contemporary look.
Stepped-up school supplies
Teachers can never have enough of this classroom staple.
This magnetic tape makes hanging student work quick and easy.
If it’s the last day of school and you’re empty-handed, pop into your local big-box or office-supply store, grab a set of Expo Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers, and wrap them up. Teachers covet them. If you’re feeling extra-generous, you could fill a gift bag with stand-out staples, like this super pack of Post-its and a set of high-quality pencils or pens.
And for a unique but useful gift, Dowling Magnets Adhesive Magnet Tape is a fly-below-the-radar school supply that will make any teacher who likes to decorate very happy. It may look like Scotch tape, but it’s actually a thin, adhesive magnet tape. Once a strip has been placed on a wall, a second piece stuck to whatever you want to hang will magnetize to it. It’s an unexpected treat that makes showing off student work and other wall art a snap.
Pro-level pencils
These comfortable, elegant pencils are a luxurious upgrade.
This multipack includes both pens and double-tipped highlighters.
There are stationery lovers and then there are stationery lovers. A set of 12 Palomino Blackwing 602 pencils, the upgrade pick in our guide to pencils, will delight any aficionado who prefers a smaller set of higher-quality pencils over the neon colors and personalization of the 72-pack of Oriental Trading Personalized Neon Solid Color Pencils. As for pens, if your teacher is a pen nerd, this journaling set of Zebra gel pens and highlighters, which includes both, is a fun choice. We recommend the highlighters in our guide to the best birthday party favors (we also have a full guide to more traditional pens).
A nifty notebook
Measuring 3.5 by 5.5 inches, these lined notebooks offer a small space to record big ideas.
Field Notes Original Kraft Memo Books are sized to keep in a pocket or purse for whenever inspiration strikes. They come in packs of three, making them an economical option when you have multiple gifts to give. Break up the pack, pair each with a pen of your choosing, and you’ve got a lovely, inexpensive gift for multiple teachers on your list. We also recommend an array of memorable notepads and journals in our guide to notebooks.
A seeded vase
Add an acorn to this elegant, shatter-resistant vase from Ilex Studio and you can watch the roots develop below as the plant grows above.
This larger statement vase is designed specifically for sprouting avocado pits.
The MoMA Design Store Acorn Vase and Ilex Studio Avocado Vase are like little science lessons. Place a seed (not included) in the small chamber at the top of the vase, and then watch as it slowly begins to root and sprout. The vases are available in multiple colors and made with a sturdy, temperature-resistant borosilicate glass—so they won’t shatter if accidentally knocked over by a curious, eager student.
Long-lasting blooms
This brick bouquet is bold and abundant, with 15 individual stems to build and style in your own vase.
The 756 pieces of the Lego Flower Bouquet blossom into an engaging project and cheerful decor. Whether a teacher displays them at home or in the classroom, this arrangement will never wilt. Lego offers several botanical options, from cheerful sunflowers to a resplendent orchid.
Higher-level hydration
The spout is easy to drink from, and the flip lid stays secure. Plus, the ability to personalize adds an extra-special touch.
If there’s one thing teachers tend to agree on, it’s that they have plenty of ceramic mugs. But with schools replacing water fountains with eco-friendly bottle fillers, water bottles are more necessary than ever. The Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle, a pick in our guide to the best water bottles, has a wide mouth to easily add ice, and the spout lid locks in place after you flip it open. The silicone boot comes standard and prevents the bottle from slipping or making noise when placed on a hard surface, and it proved to be leak-free in our tests. All this combined with the option to add personalization through text and graphics (zodiac signs, anyone?) moves it squarely into the good gift category, especially for teachers (like me) who leave their water bottles behind in the most unexpected places. With the personalization, there’s a better-than-average chance it won’t end up in the lost and found.
A rarer roast
This subscription features coffees from around the world and includes a card with fun facts about that month’s featured locale.
Use promo code WCFDAY25GIFT (6-month quarterly subscription)
Whether it’s shared in the school's staff room or not, a bag of beans or a gift card from a local coffee house is a lovely gesture. For something more novel, or if you prefer to buy online, Atlas Coffee Club spotlights coffees from countries like Nicaragua, Peru, and India. It offers various subscription lengths, and you can choose how to receive the coffee (whole beans, ground, or in pods). It’s among our favorite coffee subscriptions.
Looking for a practical gift that will make the entire faculty and staff happy? Consider coordinating with other parents to replace a school’s aging or ho-hum coffeemaker with a superior model, like one from our guide to the best coffeemakers. Or simply restock the teacher’s lounge with fancy teas, coffee, sugars, and creamers. As a present for his kids’ teachers, Carlos Maldonado, a Wirecutter senior web producer (and former high school tech teacher), attached printed “Thanks a latte” tags to paper coffee cups with gift cards inside.
A hot travel mug
This stainless steel mug has a spill-proof lid, making it ideal for busy teachers who carry lots of stuff.
When my schedule precludes me from sneaking to the teacher’s lounge for a much-needed caffeine hit, I use an insulated mug to keep my coffee warm as I nurse it through the day. The Contigo West Loop 3.0, which we recommend for drivers in our guide to the best travel mugs, is a great choice. Available in a range of colors, it never leaked in our tests. It keeps beverages hot for about the length of a school day and cold for around 24 hours. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Note: We previously recommended the Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug. In December 2024, Stanley recalled the mug due to a lid that can detach and potentially cause burns, and it is no longer a pick in our guide to travel mugs.
A trusty tote
Teachers can schlep all their supplies in this sturdy tote, which has several convenient pockets.
Choosing a tote with a map of your teacher’s favorite locale adds a personal touch.
Teachers lug around a lot of stuff, and the cream-colored canvas Lands’ End tote can handle most of it. This bag, which comes in sizes from small to extra-large, has a boxy structure, with interior and exterior pockets. The large bag can fit a laptop, books, folders, chargers, and more. Plus, you can pick from upwards of 12 strap colors, and the bag can be personalized. A pick in our guide to the best tote bags, the iconic and ultra-durable L.L.Bean Boat and Tote (sizes small to extra-large) is similar, but it lacks the pockets that make the Lands’ End bag so practical for teachers.
For something a little more fun, consider a Maptote Grocery Tote. These reusable bags are designed and sewn in Brooklyn, New York, and they feature hand-drawn maps of locations all over the US and beyond, so you can choose a place your teacher loves. Toss in some fun snacks, a bottle of sparkling water, and maybe some nice chopsticks, or this To-Go Ware bamboo utensil set (which my daughter got as a gift years ago and has held up well to frequent dishwashing). Now you’ve got a ready-made picnic.
A hand full of stars
With 52 artists and four genres represented, music lovers are almost guaranteed to find an artist they love in the shuffle.
So many teachers are undercover music lovers, and many share their love with their students. Others have made it their life’s work. If this sounds like a teacher you know, these Music Playing Cards might be an ideal gift. Each suit represents a different genre: pop, rock, country/folk, and R&B/soul/blues. Individual cards spotlight artists ranging from Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and Prince.
Chocolate for all
These chunky chocolate bars come in several flavors and colorful wrappers.
May be out of stock
If you’re looking for ways to honor everybody from the support staff to the custodians, individual chocolate bars, tied with a pretty ribbon and a note from your family, are a great budget choice. Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate bars are hefty and sumptuous. Bonus: You can even design a custom wrapper for the Tony’s Chocolonely bars online. They’re often available at grocery stores, too. Chocolove bars are also delicious, come in a wide variety of flavors, and are available in bulk from the company’s website and at grocery stores nationwide.
Note: On April 1, 2025, Tony’s Chocolonely issued a voluntary recall on two of its almond-containing chocolate bars — the Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bars — sold between February 7 and March 24, 2025 after customers outside the US and Canada reported finding small stones not filtered during almond harvesting and processing. If you purchased a Dark Almond Sea Salt or Everything Bar during this period, check its lot code on the Tony’s Chocolonely website to see whether it is subject to the recall. The Tony’s Chocolonely Super Milk Bundle linked in this guide was not affected.
A sweet treat
These delicious, rich chocolates are vegan and made in a facility free of nuts and other common allergens.
Adventurous chocolate lovers and traditionalists alike will marvel at this box’s array of flavors, shapes, and textures.
It’s hard to go wrong with a special sweet gift. For something luxurious, consider the Recchiuti Confections Black Box, the all-around favorite in our guide to the best boxed chocolates. Packaged in a sleek matte box, this assortment is memorable and intriguing, with adventurous flavors such as Tarragon Grapefruit and Star Anise and Pink Peppercorn. Treating a bigger group? Recchiuti’s much larger Sharing Box, one of our picks for the best gift baskets, should be a hit in the teachers’ lounge. If allergies are a concern or you want to avoid chocolates made with animal products, our vegan pick from Amore di Mona contains no dairy, gluten, soy, tree nuts, or peanuts.
The gift of books
A gift card from this bookseller helps teachers fill their own classroom libraries and supports donations to literacy and educational nonprofits and libraries.
When you purchase from this online vendor, you also support a favorite local bookseller.
Classroom libraries are a labor of love. They’re also expensive to maintain, and many teachers fund them out of their own pockets. That’s why most have a favorite online bargain bookseller. Mine is betterworldbooks.com. In addition to maintaining an impressive selection of new and used titles, the company says it has donated over 38 million books and $35 million to literacy and nonprofit agencies (for example, The Prison Book Program), as well as libraries. Another great choice is bookshop.org, which distributes a percentage of its overall profits to independent booksellers. You can also use the site to find and order books from indie bookstores nationwide, with 100% of the profit going to that specific store. Gift cards at both sites start at $10.
A special gift card
Gift cards matched to a teacher’s hobbies and interests feel more personal.
Every teacher I talked to loves a gift card. But it’s a shame to waste your money on a card that will never get used (I still have some Jamba Juice cards in my desk drawer that are at least 10 years old). Here’s where a little sleuthing will pay off: Ask your kids what their teachers like to do. Chances are they’ll be able to tell you whether a teacher loves to go to the movies, lives for the outdoors, eats out a lot (or doesn’t), or has another favorite hobby. For a teacher who can't wait to hit the trails on the weekend, a gift card from REI may feel extra-thoughtful, while a card from Home Depot or a beloved local hardware store could be perfect for the home woodworker.
The most generic option (but maybe the most appreciated) is an Amazon gift card, or a card from Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, all of which are accepted nearly everywhere that takes debit cards. One downside is that purchasing fees for many of these cards start at $3.95 for a $25 card and increase with the amount of the card. And know that not all gift cards are created equal. Make sure the card states “No Fees After Purchase.” Most cards sold at grocery stores and places like Walmart, Target, and Amazon fit this bill, but those sold through banks sometimes have unexpected fees. Finally, be aware that some schools and districts limit the value of gifts that teachers can accept. To avoid the awkwardness of the recipient needing to return a gift, check your school’s rules in advance.
A mini-vacation pass
This gift card provides day passes to pools and spas at luxury resorts and properties worldwide.
Resort Pass enables recipients to purchase day passes to pools and spas at over 2,000 hotels worldwide, meaning that teachers can treat themselves close to home or while traveling. Access varies depending on the hotel and can range from the basic pool area to reserved, luxury, multi-person cabanas. Experiences start at around $20 based on location and luxury rating.
Ellen Lee contributed reporting. This article was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.
Mentioned above
- If an in-person trip to a local nursery isn’t possible, but you want to get greenery as a gift, we found two standout sites to buy houseplants online.The Best Places to Buy Plants Online
- We’ve tested more than 45 pieces of kitchen gear to find those that are most worth investing in for younger cooks, whether they’re toddlers or teens.The Best Kids Cooking Tools (That You’ll Love Too)
- Whether you’re filling in Scantron bubbles or doing the Sunday crossword, the Palomino Golden Bear #2 Pencil (Blue) should be your writing implement of choice.The Best Pencils for Writing and Schoolwork
- The Uni-ball Jetstream RT is the best pen for most people. It’s affordable and quick to dry. And it writes smoothly and won’t skip or bleed.The Best Pen
- We looked high and low for fun birthday party favors—including good-quality trinkets and special standalone items—that aren’t bound straight for the trash.31 Kids Birthday Party Favors That Aren’t Junk
- These notebook and notepad picks offer a satisfying writing experience with different types of pens and pencils.The Best Notebooks and Notepads
Further reading
14 Antiracist Books for Kids and Teens Recommended by BIPOC Teachers and Librarians
by Jackie Reeve
We asked librarians and teachers—all Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)—to share books that they’ve found can help kids understand race and racism.
A Running List of Free and Discounted Services for Teachers
by Elissa Sanci
To show their thanks and support, these companies are offering free and discounted services for educators.
The Best Labels for Kids School Gear and Clothing
by Lauren Sullivan
Customized labels are a cute and convenient way to help kids keep track of their own stuff—and get things back when they’re lost.
How to Play Outside More This Winter, According to Outdoor-School Teachers
by Rose Maura Lorre
The right gear—and attitude—can help you coax your kids (and yourself) into embracing the elements.
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