Y’all, I know your coffee mugs are well-intentioned, but I’m here to tell you that those are not what teachers want for the holidays. I’m married to a teacher, the daughter-in-law of a teacher, and the best friend of a teacher. I’ve watched these people work hours into the night grading papers, show up at 6 a.m. to school for tutoring sessions, take kids on field trips over the weekend, supply kids in need with extra meals, and constantly reinvent education in order to connect with students in new and better ways. Put simply, they work incredibly hard. If you really want to show them you appreciate them, these 25 gifts for teachers are ones they’ll actually love.
The key to finding a holiday gift for teachers is to first ask yourself, would I like this? For real. If it's something you'd never want to receive, then why give it to a teacher? Next, ask yourself, is this appropriate? A pair of boxers? Not so much. Wine? By all means.
Also remember, yes, it truly is the thought that counts. Just taking the time to remember a teacher will make them feel so special. My husband has held onto gifts students from 10 years ago gave him, and he still remembers them fondly each time he uses them. So, even taking the time to gift a teacher is already like doing extra credit, although we promise you're not being graded on this (well, maybe a little).
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A Heartfelt Note
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In a similar vein as the last one, a thoughtful holiday card will also go a long way in terms of showing your appreciation for your child’s teacher. If your budget is pinched — and believe me, teachers understand — one of the best things you can give them is a heartfelt note from yourself or your child honestly sharing how much their time and effort spent with your student has meant to you this year. It may be hard to believe, but teachers don't often hear how great they are doing nearly enough. Your words will truly make their day.
This tea gift set from Tea Forte oozes feelings of luxury and relaxation. Created in partnership with the New York Botanical Garden, the Fleur Collection gift set features all the necessary components needed for an exquisite tea-for-one experience — and every teacher deserves that chance to put up their feet and relax. It includes a limited-edition box of 10 pyramid infusers with two packets of each tea blend (blueberry merlot, earl grey, hibiscus blossom, jasmine green, peach blossom), a limited-edition pale mint porcelain eight-ounce café cup with lid, and a limited-edition pale mint tea tray with gold monogram. Elevated vibes, check.
Re: stinky students who spent recess out in the mud, it’s always a fitting idea to give the gift of luxurious fragrance to any teacher. Regardless of whether they choose to use it in their classroom to freshen things up or maybe just at home to pamper themself after a long day at work, this candle and air mist combo pack from independent fragrance retailer Elevated Scentz will do just the trick. With a variety of soothing scents to choose from, such as citrusy, floral, musky, and sweet, this two-in-one pack will be appreciated by anyone who values good scents.
What better than to reverse the role of a teacher by giving them the opportunity to be a student, as taught by some of the biggest, most knowledgeable people and instructors in the world? With the gift of a MasterClass membership, your teacher will have access to tons of classes across subject matters conducted by world-renowned experts. Course topics include leadership and creativity taught by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, cooking by chef Gordon Ramsey, music and connection by famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, styling by fashionista Tan France, conservation by scientist Jane Goodall, gymnastics fundamentals by Olympian Simone Biles, and many more.
Nothing will bring color and light to a room quite like this little decorative gadget. This gift is optimal for science teachers. They can simply hang it up against some glass in their classroom, and as long as the space gets some sunlight, this rainbow maker will create an explosion of rainbow patterns when the sun hits it. Not only will it serve as a nice colorful touch to any room, it can also be a teaching moment all about light refraction. As long as they adjust it year-round for optimal light, this piece of innovative decor will bring bright colorful hues during school hours.
Perfect for a children’s classroom, these house-shaped bookends designed by Masuda Kiribako, a Japanese brand founded in 1929, make a wonderful gift for any elementary school teacher. The set of three features two small houses and one large one that can be used for storing books, as well as other objects inside of them. And in addition to their playful nature, these house bookends are made from paulownia, a wood that is antibacterial, insect-repellent, and mildew-proof — so basically, it’s the optimal thing for a classroom full of kids. Given that every teacher has a small library of books in their room, these bookends will make the space nice and homey.
Now that we've done your homework for you, it’s time to get to shopping. Teachers will thank you for it.