The holiday season is rapidly approaching and that means it’s time to start figuring out teacher gift ideas for Christmas! Not Christmas time right now? Have no fear! This list can be used for any holiday- Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Teacher Appreciation, or End of the Year. With the busyness of life, trying to figure out a gift for the teachers in your child’s life is one thing I can take off your plate with this list of ideas.

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I want to preface this whole blog by saying that a heartfelt card goes a really long way. Just because the gift-giving season is here, does NOT mean you need to spend a lot of money with an elaborate gift for your child’s teacher.

There have been years when all I have gotten from a kid and their parent is a card with a sweet and encouraging note. I promise you, we love that! Many times those words serve a lot more value than a gift bought last minute at Walmart.

But then sometimes, as teachers, we get gifts that literally make us LOL. Like the one time I got used chapstick. Or, how about this sweet gift from a little one? If you look close enough, you’ll see it. 🙂

Did you see it? A Reese’s Candy Cane opened and full of everything but Reese’s. The sentiment behind the gift is what teachers appreciate, not the value of what’s inside.

Teacher Gift Ideas for Christmas

It seems like the standard Christmas gift for teachers is a mug. Nothing is wrong with said mug and gift card, however, we get those all the time! If you want some easy gift ideas that are out of the box, read ahead!

I have compiled a list of my favorite ideas for Christmas gifts for teachers as well as a list of gifts that can be given to a teacher any time of the year.

1. Children’s Books

We LOVE children’s books. And we use them often because…we teach children 🙂 Here are a few of my favorite:

• The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown- I LOVE this book and read it to my kiddos every year! Sweet and short book with a good message.
• What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada- THIS. BOOK. Oh my…. I almost had tears in my eyes when I first read this book. Such a sweet story of pursuing your dreams and not being afraid to be different.
• Night Tree by Eve Bunting- This is also a really sweet Christmas book about Holiday traditions that could lead to some good lesson openers.
• If you want a list of more diverse books to give your child’s teacher, check out this list here.

2. Desk Organizer

A teacher can never have enough baskets and bins to organize things in. The green basket, pictured below, is a great example of a caddy a teacher can use. I got mine at Hobby Lobby but here is one you can get off Amazon that you could spruce up with his or her name attached with vinyl- the possibilities are endless!

The caddy can be used on the teacher’s desk for pens, markers, and supplies. They can also be used in a small group or whole group teaching area to store supplies specific for that area.

3. Mr. Sketch Markers

These markers are a teacher’s favorite markers! Once I even had a parent gift them to me in this cute little basket like the one pictured below! Markers + cute basket = winner!

4. Gift Card to a Local Restaurant

I got a gift certificate to my favorite restaurant and it made for a FREE date night for my then boyfriend, now husband, and me. WIN!!!

5. Homemade Coasters

Two years ago I got these sweet coasters from a student. I realize his Mom was the one who put in the effort to make these adorable little coasters, but I use them to this day and think of both her and her son often.

Here is a quick little tutorial on how to make photo coasters. You can do pictures or print off cute little sayings.

6. Adult Beverages

Wine….enough said (Although if you could pull this little number off below, that would be awesome! I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had a student or two like this 😉 )This hilarious wine glass would be great instead of or in addition to!

7. Ornament from the Child

I love receiving ornaments from students. Especially if it is one they can decorate and add their picture to. I add these to my classroom Christmas Tree and they provide me with a sweet reminder of previous students. Just make sure to add your kiddos name and the year on it!

8. Bring Lunch One Day

If a parent walked up to me one morning with a menu to a restaurant and said “What do you want? I am bringing you lunch today.” I would just want to give them a big ole kiss!

Teachers rarely get to leave school to eat lunch out so the simple act of bringing a meal to them (even if it’s homemade) is a special treat.

9. Handmade Zipper Pouch

This Etsy seller is actually a former parent of mine. Each holiday she would gift us some type of baggie or fabric piece. She has a ton of fabric swatches so check her out. Let her know it’s for the teacher in your kiddos life and I’m sure she will add some extra love or cute teacher fabric to make it special!

10. Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Teachers LOVE Teachers Pay Teachers! This is a resource we use on a daily basis, but their products can get pricey. A $10-$20 gift card would surely help your kiddo’s teacher out. And they would love you big time for it.

So… I lied…I have more than 10 ideas. Here are 3 more bonus ideas for you!

11. Movie Theater Gift Card

Maybe hold off on this gift idea during the pandemic. But in all other years, this is an easy gift you can give to all the teachers in your child’s life. Grab a few of them at the store and if you want to fancy it up, you can buy a cute popcorn container, throw this fun popcorn in there, and viola!

12. Copper and Quinn Earrings

I just ordered my first pair of Copper and Quinn earrings, the ones pictured below to be exact. I love them and they are super cute, affordable and the company is so personal.

13. Cooler Bag

During my second year of teaching, I got a super cute Cooler Bag from a parent and I LOVE it. I still use it to this day (and it moved to Germany with me!)

It is probably one of my favorite and most used gifts I have ever received. It is super practical and useful.

You could get a few of these for all your kiddo’s teachers and still come in under budget. Use code “SAVE10” for 10% off your first online order.

In Conclusion,

You don’t have to go all out for teacher gifts. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to find the perfect teacher gift ideas for Christmas that we waste time and end up having to go with a cheap mug and Starbucks gift card.

Just remember, a heartfelt card will mean waaaayyyy more than a $5 mug you pick up from Walmart.

But something as simple as a children’s book, a gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers, or a gift card to a local restaurant will be the perfect way to thank you child’s teacher for all their hard work.

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Until next time,

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