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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 teacher gifts aren’t the ornaments or mugs proclaiming World’s Best Teacher or featuring apples!

Best Teacher Gifts for Favorite Teachers

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 Teacher Gifts from a Group!

Free to Inspire Tote from The Tote Project ($45)

 

This year give a teacher who inspires your kids the Free to Inspire Tote. It’s one of the best teacher gifts because of the rainbow print outside and what’s inside- an interior water bottle pocket, and cell phone pocket. This roomy tote is made of sturdy cotton canvas in a fair-trade factory in India which means that workers receive a fair wage for their day’s work. Plus 10% of the profits from this purchase are donated to fight human trafficking and support educational opportunities for survivors and children at-risk of trafficking.

Modern Lunch Box & Snack Cup from Bentgo ($50.99, regularly $57.98)

*Purchases support Feed the Children

When I was teaching, the middle schoolers who ate lunch in my computer lab used to make fun of my yogurt lunches. Honestly, they were healthy and easy but had I had the Modern Lunch Box and Snack Cup to pack my meals in, I might have packed myself real food for lunch daily. This 2-piece bundle contains Bentgo’s Modern Lunch Box & Snack Cup. The Lunch Box makes it easy to bring different kinds of foods thanks to customizable compartments that hold up to 5.5 cups. The Snack Cup is lightweight, durable, and convenient for granola, nuts, chips, or fruit that need to be separate from the contents of the lunch box. Both feature a leak-resistant design that is easy to clean and reusable. I’m also a fan of Bentgo’s Chill Max Lunch Box ($39.99) and Glass Salad Container ($24.99).

Personalized Name Necklaces from Mint & Lily ($49, regularly $98)

I adore Mint & Lily as a place to find pieces that elegant and affordable gifts for friends and family and their pieces also make the best teacher gifts. Over the years, I’ve given and been gifted their earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. While you can’t go wrong with any of their items, I their Personalized Name Necklaces make the best teacher gifts. Available in a variety of different fonts and finishes (925 Sterling, 18K gold plated, 18K rose gold plated, 18K gold over sterling, or silver), a Mint & Lily name necklace is a gift a teacher will treasure for years to come.

Hidrate Spark Pro 2 Smart Hydration Water Bottle or Tumbler ($49.99 or $56, regularly $79.99 or $69.99)

Drink smarter, feel better- that’s the idea behind HidrateSpark’s smart water bottles that help your teacher keep track of their hydration. Hidrate Spark 2 Pro Tumbler or Water Bottle are tech savvy teacher gifts that features a rechargeable USB-C base that can be customized to glow and make a certain sound as a reminder to stay hydrated. Embeded SipSense technology uses advance weight sensing to track every sip towards your hydration goal. Drink Sync syncs your liquid consumption to the HidrateSpark app to help you drink more water. The app integrates with Apple Watch & Heath and if you ever misplace your Hidrate Spark, it also works with Apple Find My so you never lose your bottle.

The HidrateSpark Pro 2 Tumbler ($56, regularly $79.99) holds 30 ounces of liquid and has a splash-resistant press-in lid with a dual position slider, straw, ergonomic carry handle, and is cup holder friendly. The Hidrate Spark Pro 2 Smart Hydration Water Bottle holds 21 ounces. Both products let you chug or sip, are vacuum insulated to keep cold beverages chilled for 24 hours or hot for 4 hours, and have a 21 day battery life per charge.

Two Rivers Flavored Coffee Pods Variety Pack ($20.95)

For coffee loving teachers, Two Rivers Coffee’s Flavored Coffee Pod Sampler makes a great gift because of the 40 different flavors that come in each box. Two Rivers makes these amazing coffee pods with premium arabica beans, the exact same quality beans they use in all their coffees. Beans are carefully slow roasted in-house, then flavored, and ground at the pinnacle of freshness, giving you the best cup of flavored coffee your teacher will ever try!

The AM Insulated Coffee Mug from Outsider ($31.99)

*Purchase of products support the Navy SEAL Foundation and Gold Star Wives

Every teacher needs a good mug and The AM Insulated Mug goes above and beyond, just like every teacher does every single day. Made of triple insulated steel, The AM holds 17 ounces and keeps hot beverages hot for 10 hours and cold ones chilled for 40 hours.

It has a screw-on lockable lid and a thoughtfully designed 180-degree swivel handle which means the handle rotates out of the way so it can fit in car and truck cupholders for morning commutes and weekend outings that might involve riding in golf carts, boats, watching kids’ sporting events, and more. 

Smart LED Desk Lamp from Verilux ($59.99)

 

Classroom lighting is always awful so give your teacher a break from overhead fluorescents with the Smartlight LED Desk Lamp from Verilux. This contemporary take on the traditional gooseneck lamp features full spectrum LED light that light that mimics natural light. It features simple touch settings for on/off and a USB port. It’s perfect for days that teachers stay at work until it’s dark outside and the compact size means this mighty little light is easy to take home during the summer months.

Dearist: A Kids Guide to Writing Letters (starting at $19.99)

Those of us from certain generations know the joy of writing letters and getting mail back. In the age of digital communication, letter writing has become lost and Dearist is working to bring the benefits of letter writing back to a new generation of kids. It’s listed among my best teacher gifts because it’s perfect for elementary teachers or middle school English teachers who teach letter writing. This darling book and stationery series is age-appropriate. Each of the 3 kits feature just-right guidebooks for each age group, stationary, envelopes, and Forever Postage Stamps in a keepsake box.   

Little Dearest Trio (for ages 8 and under, $19.99) focuses on the emotional reasons for why someone might choose to write a letter. It includes a writing prompt and example letter, as well as instructions on how to prepare an envelope for delivery. Dearist Signature Kit (for ages 8+, $34.99) instills the wonder of the mail, drawing references from history, art, literature, public service, and beyond. Each guidebook provides instruction on key aspects of letter writing, such as the parts of a letter, how to address an envelope, and the role of postage stamps. Dearist Bundle (multi-age, $39.99) includes both a Little Dearist and Dearist Signature Kits in a Keepsake Box.

I love that Dearist includes everything needed to write (and mail) great letters so kids can begin writing at the peak of inspiration. Founder Jennifer Yang sees letters as a genuine paper trail to the past and wanted to help her kids find the magic of letter writing.

Baby Foot Spa Bundle ($34)

Give teachers who spend all day on their feet the gift of relaxation with the Baby Foot Spa Bundle. This trio includes a foot peel, foot scrub, and premium foot soak designed to exfoliate and moisturize and leave feet baby soft. Here’s hoping your child’s teachers will have lots of time to put their feet up and relax over their winter break! 

418 Scarf from Puffer Hug ($55.99, regularly $69.99)

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 Teachers Gifts list and this year I’m excited to include the Puffer Hug® 418 Scarf 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)

Help your teacher keep track of their classroom things with Mabel’s Labels. 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 Teacher Gifts 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.

CORDBRICK ($14.99, regularly $29.99)

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 would have been the answer to this classroom problem which is why it makes a great gift for your child’s teachers. 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). Get 10% off your total purchase using this link or use TECHSAVVYMAMA at checkout which is one step past the cart page.

HEY DEWY Wellness Humdifier ($99.99)

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 Teacher Gifts list! 

PURA 4 SMART FRAGRANCE DIFFUSER ($34.99, regularly $49)

Fragrance has the power to change the energy and atmosphere of a space, which is why Pura 4 Smart Fragrance Diffuser makes my Best Gifts for Teachers list. 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.

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 a gift you can feel good about giving 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. 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 Teacher Gifts: 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.

Tieks Ballet Flats (starting at $205)

If you’re looking to give a group gift to a teacher this holiday, a gift certificate to Tieks would be a wonderful luxury. I’ve had multiple pairs of these classic ballet flats over the past 10 years including Obsidian Black, Wild Copper, and most recently, Copperhead Snake. I love how they can be dressed up or dressed down to wear inside and outside the classroom.

Tieks feature a unique split sole, flexible midsole, and are designed to mold to the wearer’s foot. This design also allows them to be folded to tuck away in the included pouch, making them great to pack to an early morning gym class for a quick shower and change before school. Thick non-skid rubber outsole provides traction and shock absorption while advanced foam cushioned insoles provide all day comfort and long-term wear against hard linoleum floors. Instead of an elasticized back that tends to wear out, Tieks have a cushioned back so they fit just right on your heel and don’t slip down during the day.

With over 70 prints, patent leathers, classics, and more to choose from, a gift certificate to Tieks for your teacher to choose their own pair will be among the most treasured and memorable best teacher gifts they’ll receive. Plus, each pair comes beautifully packaged in a solid turquoise box with gorgeous flower topper, making the box a gift in itself.

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 great lunch bag so your teacher can carry their leftovers to school in style.

Streaming Services for Movie Nights

A gift card for a year of streaming is a great way for your teacher to 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.

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.

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.

2025 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 Advent Calendars for All Ages
• Best Gifts College Students (inspired by my own college students!)
• Best STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-teen)
• Best Subscriptions Boxes for All Ages
• Best Host and Hostess Gifts
• Gifts for the Best Dogs and the People Who Love Them (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)
• Favorite Gifts for Outdoor Lovers (inspired by our family’s love of skiing, hiking, backpacking, water sports, and National Parks)
• Best Teacher Gifts for Favorite Teachers
• Favorite Ways to Teach Kids to Give Back

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM PAST YEARS

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

• Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2)
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)
• College Students 
• Best STEM Gifts for Kids
• Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
• Gifts the Best Dogs and the People Who Love Them (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)
• Favorite Advent Calendars for All Ages
• Best Subscriptions Boxes for All Ages
• Fair Trade Holiday Gifts
• Best Gifts for Unplugged Fun
• Gifts for Outdoor Adventures
• Gifts for Gadget Lovers
• Gifts for Hostesses
• Gifts that Give Back
• 9 Gifts that Make it Easy for Families to Give Back

I hope you enjoy this year’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Note to PR: The window for holiday gift guides has closed. I am happy to consider items for sponsored product reviews in December or specialty gift guides in 2026. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing. Samples are required for sponsored reviews and gift guides. Thank you!