Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Best Gifts for Teachers

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The links in this Best Gifts for Teachers post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Some items below were provided for review purposes.

I think it’s safe to say that during the school year, our kids spend more of their awake hours with their teachers than they do at home. Show how much you appreciate your child’s hardworking, dedicated teachers with a handwritten thank you note paired with a thoughtful gift. If you’re not sure what to get and your child has no idea what their teacher(s) will like, I’m here to help! Spoiler: The best gifts for teachers aren’t the ornaments or mugs proclaiming World’s Best Teacher or featuring apples!

Best Gifts for Teachers

Best Gifts for Teachers collage

After years of watching my mom open gifts from her students and then bringing home a box of goodies from my own class each December, I know how important it to give your child’s teacher something that will show that you appreciate them. They spend each and every day instilling knowledge in your child. Any one of the gifts below will show how much you appreciate how hard they work all year long even though you aren’t quite halfway through the year. Looking to give a class gift to your teacher? Scroll to the bottom of this post for Best Gifts for Teachers from a Group!

Cream Tea Box from Mrs. Bakewell’s (from $68)

*Korean woman-owned small business

Artisanal scones, luscious strawberry preserves, luxurious clotted cream, fragrant tea, and more is what you’ll find inside a Cream Tea Box from Mrs. Bakewells. I would have been over the moon to get the gift of scones from a family, especially Mrs. Bakewell’s which are handcrafted by Rose Bakewell. Rose Bakewell’s love of England, British history, and baking, ultimately led her to be the founder of the first and only Cream Tea Company in the United States. Enthralled with British culture and wanting authentic British foods but unable to find any in the states, she brought England to her home, where she turned her kitchen into her own British restaurant and tea room. Rose kindly sent me a Cream Tea Box earlier this year and it was honestly love at first bite! I can’t think of a better gift to help a teacher nurture a much-needed and well-deserved break during the school year!

 

 
 
 
 
 
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This delectable box features 6 Mrs. Bakewell’s Classic English Scones in either plain, cranberry-orange, blueberry lemon, or zante currants. Also included is a jar of Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves, jar of Coombe Castle Clotted Cream, 6 Twinings Tea Sachets (2 English Breakfast, 2 Earl Grey, 2 Lady Grey), and 12 Mini Wooden Spoons (2 in each pack). Everything is packed in a cooler bag with a large ice pack and mailed in a gorgeous gift box. I highly recommend paying $10 extra for the reusable insulated cooler bag because it’s a high quality bag that can be used for years to come.  

Formulary 55 Soap Set ($31)

*Woman owned small business

Best gifts for teachers are ones that oozes affordable luxury and this luxurious soap set from Formulary 55 fits the bill. This Colorado-based luxe bath and body line is known for their shea butter-based, vegan handcrafted bar soap that features sophisticated botanical scent blends. They’ve partnered with Cincinnati-based SKT, a local ceramics brand, to offer a soap and soap dish set in two scent/design options. One features a petite guest soap in Formulary 55’s popular unisex Apiary No. 55, a milk and honey scent, and SKT’s Bumble Bee Everything Plate.  The other features a petite guest soap in Honeycomb & Neroli (a fresh, floral and warm scent) and SKT’s Swallowtail Everything Plate. After the soap is gone, the plate is a perfect trinket dish for your teacher’s jewelry and other small objects, either at home or school. 

Thrive Journal ($48)

*Woman owned small business

Image courtesy of Elena Sonnino via Instagram

Every educator has days where they lose sight of why they started teaching but Thrive Journal can help teachers going. Developed by longtime friend and former teacher, Elena Sonnino, the Thrive Journal is a hybrid planner and journal designed to help teachers remember what matters most and the thing they know for sure on any given day. There’s space for a quick sentence or a word about what delight looked like inside their classroom or out and something they’re grateful for today. 

This beautiful champagne colored journal features Thrive in gorgeous script across the front. Since there are no dates on pages, Elena encourages users to start using their Thrive Journal right away.  The monthly pages and prompts aid in reflection, brainstorming, setting monthly intentions, and accountability. The weekly pages are intended to clear away the clutter that accumulates in one’s mind so your child’s teacher can remember their purpose. I love how it can be used to quickly jot notes that will help new classroom teachers, as well as seasoned educators stay inspired after a long day. The best part is there isn’t a right or wrong way to use this journal, other than not using it at all. 

Puffer Hug 418 ($68.88)

*Part of the purchase price supports improving children’s mental health, wellness, and educational programs

Every teacher could use a hug so why not wrap them in one each and everyday thanks to the new 418 Scarf from Puffer Hug! A couple of years ago the Original Puffer Hug was on my Best Gifts for Teachers list and this year I’m excited to include the Puffer Hug® 418 Scarf is back on this year’s list! This lightweight and versatile piece that transforms from a cozy scarf to an elevated vest in a snap! It’s for teachers who love spending time outside with their class during recess, have outdoor bus duty, or whose classrooms are too chilly during school hours. Outside school, Puffer Hug 418 will keep teachers cozy on chilly commutes, at sporting events, during dog walks, while enjoying holiday lights with their family, while traveling, and so much more! And why the 418 Scarf? The 418 Scarf got its name from the latitudinal position of Chicago (41.8° N), home of the Puffer Hug!

Personalized Name Labels from Mabel’s Labels ($29 for the Basic School Label Pack)

Best gifts for teachers are thoughtful and practical and Mabel’s Labels are both because they help your teacher keep track of their classroom things. As a teacher, my Mabel’s Labels helped me ensure my stapler, tape dispenser, hole punch, etc. didn’t wander off and end up staying in a classroom down the hall. I could instantly tell which school issued laptop was mine when I affixed my Mabel’s Labels to the front. With so many different shapes, designs, fonts, and graphic icons to choose from, Mabel’s Labels are an incredibly practical gift that no teacher would turn down which is why they’re on my Best Gifts for Teachers list. Plus, your child will have just as much fun creating custom Mabel’s Labels for their teacher as their teacher will enjoy using them.

MyAgenda Planners from momAgenda (starting at $40)

*Woman owned small business 

Despite my love of technology, I’ve always loved writing in a paper calendar, especially my 18 month MyAgenda planner from momAgenda. I think the love of a paper planner comes from years of using a spiral teacher planner! MomAgenda and MyAgenda planners have been my trusty work, personal planner, and family calendar for years.

MomAgenda features day planners for moms and MyAgenda day planners for everyone. I love the 18 month format because I can add the school calendar to my planner in the summer in its entirety, without having to switch calendars mid-year. Both planners have a week-a-view format that’s flexible for me to add work, personal appointments, and a family calendar in a way that works best for me. It also features monthly views, 2 ribbons to mark my place, and is the perfect size for having right next to me on my desk or tucking in my bag. Earlier this month the company released their 2024-2025 planners in an array of gorgeous new colors. I’m a huge fan of the accessories that allow me to customize my planner (pockets, pen holder, and tabs? Yes, please!) and the Self-Care Pad that makes sure mom remembers to put her own needs on her to-do list. 

CORDBRICK ($14.99, AUTOMATICALLY SAVE 10% MORE WHEN YOU USE THIS LINK)

I used to hate when my charging cables would slip off my desk in my classroom and I’d have to crawl around on the dirty floor trying to fish them out from behind! CordBrick is a best gift for teachers because it helps solve this classroom problem. This patented device and cord solution is made of silicone and weighted with steel so it weighs down and gathers cord ends with a weighted, specially designed BRICK of silicone. The 6 special channels are designed for holding: 4 cords and wrapping/grabbing 2 cords and phones. All 6 channels can fit Apple AirPods, and things like pens, too. Its unique design allows it to adapt to ANY charging situation and since there’s no adhesive, it can be used multiple times. It comes in several colors, including glow-in-the-dark (limited availability). Even though I’m no longer teaching, I use my pink cordbrick in my home office every day and I haven’t had to fish around for lost cable since!

HEY DEWY Wellness Humdifier ($99.95)

Hey Dewy’s Wellness Humidifier is a must have for teachers who are subjected to forced air heat in their classrooms during the winter months. Hey Dewy features a 1.5 liter capacity and an 24 hour mist run time, ultrasonic wave technology for quiet and efficient cool mist control, continuous and intermittent settings, and soft evening LED illumination. Small in size yet powerful, Hey Dewy’s size makes it perfect to keep on your teacher’s desk. The cool continuous mist dispersed from Hey Dewy helps teachers stay hydrated and healthy throughout the year which is important because no teacher really wants to have to subject their students to a sub when out sick! Having to not write sub plans is a reason enough for Hey Dewy to make my Best Gifts for Teachers list! 

PURA 4 SMART FRAGRANCE DIFFUSER (STARTING AT $69)

When I was teaching middle school, I tried various plug in air fresheners behind my desk and they were all too strong or too artificial smelling. Since fragrance has the power to change the energy and atmosphere of a space, Pura 4 Smart Fragrance Diffuser is my pick for amazing fragrances that smell good and make your classroom a place where students want to be. What teacher wouldn’t want to be transported to a new place of have their mood enhanced with scent? Pura 4 is a smart fragrance diffuser that uses innovative smart features paired with premium, clean scents for modern, customized, and high-end scents. Pura 4 pairs with the Pura app so schedules and timers can be set so fragrance isn’t being diffused in the classroom on the weekends or over breaks. Pura last technology allows your diffuser to learn from your feedback to efficiently fill your space with your desired scent intensity for up to 120 hours per smart fragrance vial. I love Pura’s smart fragrance technology and the clean scents made with ingredients safe for kids.

ASOBU TOWER MUG ($33.99)

Sure, there are Stanley’s but some teachers find that they’re absolutely huge and more trouble than they’re worth to haul around all the time. I prefer this 20-ounce mug from Asobu that would make any teacher happy! The stainless steel insulated and has a ceramic inner coating that prevents metal aftertaste from transferring from the stainless steel to your coffee, like other mugs do. The design features an easy to grip handle that still allows it to fit in the cup holder of the car. Double durable insulated walls ensure the feeling the heat of your tea or the cold of your cold brew while holding the mug never transfers to your fingers. The lid is made of non-breakable Tritan BPA FREE plastic that pushes on, fits tightly, but comes apart for easy and thorough cleaning because at the end of the day, you really don’t want to give your teacher the task of cleaning a straw.

Thank You Candle from Copper Fox Co Candles ($24.99 from Amazon)

*Family owned and operated business in Utah

A thank you in the form of a candle is a great holiday gift because it’s thoughtful but doesn’t take up permanent space in anyone’s home for too long. I love these large 14 oz natural soy wax candles from Copper Fox Co. They’re hand poured, burn for over 60 hours, and come in three designs and two different scents: Sea Salt & Orchid and Warm Sugar Vanilla. The elegant, frosted glass and wood lid make for a classy and affordable way to say thank you, especially when combined by a handwritten thank you note from your child.

Naked Collagen Creamer ($39.99)

If your child has a teacher who loves coffee and cares about nutrition, put Naked Nutrition’s new Collagen Creamer on your list! It might seem like an odd inclusion on my best gifts for teachers list but it’s perfect for teachers who love coffee and want to add a nutritional boost to their first cup of coffee or what they’re drinking throughout the day. Collagen is a very important component of the human body which is responsible for responsible for providing strength, structure, and elasticity to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Since our current diets typically contain less collagen than in years past, the addition of 2 scoops of Vanilla, Chocolate, or Caramel Collagen Creamer helps improve wellness by boosting overall health. Naked Nutrition Collagen Creamer is versatile and can also be used in baking recipes, smoothies, smoothie bowls, etc.

Help Fund a Donor’s Choose Classroom Project

While not a gift for your teacher, donating funds to your teacher’s DonorsChoose.org project is always appreciated since it’s money they don’t have to personally spend on classroom supplies. Helping to fund a Donor’s Choose project is always a best gifts for teachers because it’s something your child (and others after them) can enjoy using in the classroom this year and for years to come. To find out if your teacher has a project, visit the DonorsChoose.org site and use the search boxes to type in your teacher’s and name of your school along with your zip code or just ask your child’s teacher!

Uber Eats/DoorDash/GrubHub Gift Card

For most teachers, lunch time is never glamorous. I used to spend my 30 minutes of lunch time helping students and getting ready for my afternoon classes while eating yogurt, the least glamorous lunch according to my middle schoolers. My colleagues often made copies, graded work, tried to return parent phone calls, or use their time to complete paperwork. Treat your teacher to lunch with a gift certificate to a favorite local restaurant or a gift card to Uber Eats, Postmates, GrubHub, Domino’s, etc. Gift cards make my list of Best Teacher Gifts because they can help satisfy a mid-day craving for lunch. Not having to think about dinner can also be a great pick me up on a hard day or a long day with staff meetings or parent-teacher conferences that keep teachers at school later than usual.

Best Gifts for Teachers: Group Gift Ideas

I always loved serving as the room parent for my kids’ elementary school teachers. I enjoyed using contributions from family members and coming up with gift ideas for my child’s teachers based on their interests and needs. If the parents at your child’s school take up a collection like I used to do, here are my ideas for best gifts for teachers to give as a class gift.

Restaurant Gift Certificate

Everyone has those days when they don’t want to cook and teachers do too! Find out your teacher’s favorite restaurant and purchase a gift certificate they can use on those days where it is just too much to go home and make dinner. If they live close to school, give them a gift certificate to a local place so they can stop and get dinner on their way home or use Restaurant.com. Put the gift card inside a new soft sided lunch box so your teacher can carry their leftovers to school in style.

Streaming Services for Movie Nights

Best gifts for teachers are ones that can be enjoyed throughout the year and a gift card for a year of streaming helps your teacher unwind and enjoy a night in after a long day or week of work. Pick up a gift card for Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus, or Paramount+ at the gift card station of your favorite retailer and put it in a basket with microwave popcorn and boxes of movie theater size candy. Even if they already subscribe, you’ll help them extend their subscription for another year.

Fund a Getaway

Have a teacher with family far away? It is hard to travel on a teacher budget especially since winter break days likely fall on blackout days where fares are higher. Help offset the cost of travel by taking up a collection to send your teacher away on a real vacation or be home with their family for some real TLC with an airline or VRBO gift certificate. If know they’re traveling somewhere new for winter break, you can also give them CityPass to help them explore the city they’re visiting.

Travelpro VersaPack Compact Spinner Suitcase

Since every traveler needs luggage, I suggest Travelpro’s new VersaPack®+ Compact Carry-On Spinner ($209.99, regularly $349.99). This compact and lightweight carry on bag helps them travel efficiently and in style whether they’re going away for a weekend or a whole week.

Give the Gift of Flowers

Flowers always brighten anyone’s mood especially when they are a surprise. Teachers swoon when they see beautiful bouquets delivered to the office and hope they are meant for them. 1-800 Flowers.com has a great selection of flowers that are available for same day delivery. A monthly flower subscription also makes a great gift to show your appreciation throughout the year.

Send the Gift of Fruit

If your teacher loves fresh fruit, send a fruit bouquet to school or check out Harry and David’s fruit clubs where you can have 3 months of fresh fruit delivered for as little as $94.99. 6-12 month fruit of the month clubs are also available depending on your budget.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

Below is the entire list of what you can look forward to this year. These links will go live as guides are published so bookmark or pin this post now so you can come back to it as you do your holiday shopping since I’ll be updating it often!

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at last year’s gift guides that are full of great ideas:

Note to PR: I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides which will publish through December. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and if you’re able to offer a reader giveaway. Giveaway items will be directly shipped to readers upon conclusion of the giveaway. Thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to publish gift guides and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year or send links once posts are live. 

No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own. Images courtesy of the nonprofit organizations mentioned above.