With the holidays approaching, you may be wondering what to get the teachers in your life. Teachers have such an important job. Their job is demanding, stressful, and hard. But they also enjoy every minute of teaching young minds!

You should never feel obligated to buy a teacher a gift! We really don’t expect anything from our students. This list is only if you truly want to show some extra love to your teacher. In all honesty, we really would love a simple thank you!

This is a list of ideas that I would like as a teacher. This is not to say that this is what every teacher wants. But I do think this is a pretty good list of ideas for any teacher!

1. Hand Made Gifts

Hand made gifts from students really do warm our hearts. We love to see students show their creativity in thoughtful home made gifts. Below are a list of a few ideas of home made gifts for teachers. Whatever gift you choose to make will be special because it is from a student we love!

• Hand made card (Make sure to include a special note!)
• Ornament 
• Name plate or something for their desk
• Mug with a special saying or their name written with markers (Directions below!)

How to make a Mug:

You can make cute mugs like the one pictured above! I did this mug for a person who loves Harry Potter! You can personalize a mug for a teacher with something they like or even their name! You can find the directions easily online! This is what I did:

I bought blank mugs and OIL BASED Sharpie paint markers. I drew and wrote what I wanted on the mug. (If I messed up, I just used a little alcohol on a cotton ball to “erase” and then dried it before I started writing again.)

After you decorate the mug, bake it in the oven to set the marker. I baked the mugs in an oven for 30 minutes at 425 degrees. Let the mugs cool in the oven after you turn off the heat.

2. School Supplies

School supplies are always welcome to teachers! We usually have to use our own money to buy supplies for our classroom, so this is always appreciated!

I have also seen cute ways of presenting school supplies to teachers like in the shape of a cake or bouquet! You could also fill up a little container or mug with supplies. However you decide to give this gift to teachers, they will love it!

Below are a few ideas of supplies teachers may need:

• Tissues
• Pencils (Nice number 2 pencils please!)
• Dry erase markers
• Pens (Colorful pens for us to use is great!)
• Paper/notebooks
• Glue sticks 
• Hand sanitizer 

3. Gift cards

Getting a teacher a gift card is also great. Some people think of this as impersonal, but I love gift cards. Pay attention to certain restaurants or places your teacher likes. You could also just get a gift card to Walmart or target (isn’t this all teachers favorite store?!)

A gift card would be a great addition to a homemade card or gift, or even any other gift on this list. Also, don’t think it has to be a big amount. I got a $5 gift card from a student once and I loved it!

4. Movies or Books 

As a teacher, I feel like I lose a little bit of “oomph” during the holiday time. Teaching from October to December can be tough with all the breaks and students so excited for holidays. 

Over the break before we start back in January, I love to reflect and get inspired to come back as a newly recharged teacher! A way that I like to get inspired is by reading a good teacher book or watching a good teacher movie. Getting a teacher a book or movie is great since they may have some extra time during holiday breaks.

If you want a list of my favorite teacher movies, click here. Any of these movies would be a great gift! 

A couple of my favorite teaching books are “What School Could Be” by Ted Dintersmith and “Creative Schools” by Ken Robinson. I will put a link below to these books! 

5. Personal Items

Teachers feel loved when their students notice certain things about them. For example, does your teacher always have a coffee or have a favorite candy? You could give a gift of their favorite candy, or a gift card to a coffee place they love, or even a coffee mug! 

Whatever your teacher may be into, use that to think of a gift. This is a great way to show you appreciate them and notice them too!

I hope this list helps you think of a great gift for your teacher to show they are appreciated. Remember, a gift is not necessary but a simple thank you goes a long way!

If you are looking for educational gifts for toddlers, check out our post here!

If you are looking for educational gifts for elementary age children, click here!

If you are looking for educational gift ideas for middle school, click here!

Thank you for Continually Learning with us!

Kyle and Sarah

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