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Treat the teacher in your life with these thoughtful, hand-selected gifts. canvas tote bags
Better Homes & Gardens / Kristin Kempa
Teachers deserve the world for dedicating their lives to molding the minds of our children, but since that’s not easy to wrap, we’ve come up with a few more ideas to consider when gift shopping.
Whether you’re searching for inexpensive—yet thoughtful—tokens to show your appreciation for their role in your child’s life or want to support the educator in your family with a splurge-worthy find, we’ve got you covered.
We spent hours scouring products from trusted retailers and curating the best teacher gifts to support their classroom pursuits and bring a dash of joy to their daily routines. Our selections include top-rated tote bags, portable chargers, and soothing neck warmers—there’s something for every teacher on your list.
The best teacher gifts elevate their daily routine, and the Good Juju Ink Fairytale Bookmark Set does just that. Each set includes an elegant faux leather bookmark topped with a gilded medallion. Debossed gilt lettering spells out a charming phrase on the faux leather mark, while slatted tassels add interest at the bottom. The set also includes an ornate clip-style bookmark with a striking brass finish completes the set. Choose from the powder blue colorway, or scoop up the blush bookmark for those who pull out the classic fairy tales every chance they get.
Between laptops, planners, reading materials, and emergency snacks, teachers carry many things to and from their classrooms daily. The L. L. Bean Open-Top Boat and Tote is a classic, catch-all bag that will make their commute less of a chore. The iconic tote is made from heavyweight canvas and is designed to last with reinforced straps and double-stitched seams. It comes in four sizes, two strap lengths, and 12 strap color options. Better still, the tote includes an optional embroidery of their name, a single initial, or a monogram.
Send your kiddo to school with the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler wrapped in a bow for their teacher. The celebrated Stanley Tumbler has earned its glowing reputation because of its sustainable stainless steel materials, reusable straw, and double-wall vacuum insulation. Other noteworthy features include its comfort-grip handle and ability to keep water iced for 40 hours. The Stanley Quencher is available in five sizes with capacities ranging from 14 to 64 ounces, and it comes in dozens of trendy colors like peony pink, seafoam, nectarine, blue spruce, and plum.
Dish towels are one of our go-to options when shopping for inexpensive holiday gifts, and this playful watercolor design is a winning pick for the teacher in your life. The white cotton towel features a pastel plaid border and a whimsical illustrated motif of classic school supplies like crayons, rulers, paperclips, erasers, and snack-time staples. An affirming phrase printed in curling letters adds an extra-special, sentimental touch to the design.
Treat your hardworking teacher to some TLC with this luxurious Salt & Stone hand lotion. The skin-loving formulation is fast-absorbing and infused with ingredients that promote deep hydration, including squalane, snow mushroom fungi, seaweed extracts, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Plus, with notes of orange blossom, vetiver, amber, bergamot, and grapefruit, this lotion smells like a dream.
Make it easier for your beloved educator to spot their keys (and charge their phone in a pinch) with this oversized tassel keychain. It’s equipped with a USB to lightning charging cable compatible with laptops and portable power banks. Each eye-catching keychain features a black leather-and-suede tassel, gold hardware, and an optional foil-debossed monogram.
Give the teacher in your life a lunch box that is impossible to be mistaken for one of their students’ packs. The Calpak Insulated Lunch Bag stands out because of its round silhouette, drawstring closure, and roomy exterior pockets that keep drinks and snacks within reach. The insulated and water-resistant lunch bag comes in four classic and 10 limited edition colorways to choose from.
The Hulken is a lightweight but spacious rolling tote designed to withstand the grind of daily use, with water-resistant polypropylene and stainless steel materials. Each Hulken features a cover with a zipper to protect items from the elements, four multi-surface swivel wheels, and three unyielding handles. It comes in two sizes, but we recommend the medium for your teacher because it holds two to three full grocery bags worth of items (up to 66 pounds) and only weighs 3 pounds. It folds flat and comes in five colors: black, midnight blue, silver, rose gold, and cosmic red.
Lanyards may be part of the unofficial teacher uniform, but that doesn’t mean they all need to look that way. This bohemian-style wood bead lanyard makes a foolproof gift as it is easily customized with your choice of 23 accent colors and includes optional personalization with white and gold lettered beads to spell out their name. Each hand-crafted design features a swivel clasp for their badge, a split key ring, and a suede tassel for added boho flair.
Treat your teacher friend to something cozy they can slip into after a long day spent managing tiny humans and molding young minds. This luxury sweatshirt from Favorite Daughter will be her new go-to wear for casual weekend errands and late-night movie marathons alike. The navy crew neck is buttery soft and sports high-contrast white lettering for a polished look. It’s available in sizes XS through XL, and it’s made from a cotton-polyester blend for maximum comfort.
Give your teacher a spirited catch-all to stow their cash and writing utensils on the go. This collegiate zippered pouch looks far more expensive than it is with hand-woven, detail-rich motifs inspired by 32 major universities. Choose a pouch that pays homage to your teacher’s alma mater or favorite college football team.
Having car line duty during the winter may not be the coziest way to start the school day, but this thoughtful (and inexpensive) gift will soften the blow. The Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer features a bracelet that slips onto the wrist and provides double-sided warmth, reaching 107°F in under two minutes. Better still, this pint-sized wonder comes in five patterns, features an integrated light, and remains warm for up to four hours with each full charge.
Piecework is celebrated for display-worthy puzzles with pop art flair, and their Bookworm design is the ideal fit to impress the teacher on your list. The 500-piece jigsaw puzzle features a vibrant motif with towering books in coral, gold, lavender, and cerulean. A retro mushroom lamp, a green apple, and pencils add to the chaos and academic appeal. Each puzzle is made from 100% recycled paper board and features a thick stock top-grade art paper for exceptional quality.
Refresh your teacher’s desk with this vibrant, personalized stationery from Erin Condren. The contemporary set includes 20 flat or folded note cards, 20 envelopes, and 20 gold seals. Each card features a saturated school supply illustration and an optional personalization of your teacher’s first and last name at the bottom center. Choose from 13 bold envelope colors, like turquoise, hot pink, and lemon, to complete the cheery stationery set.
Aid in your teacher’s afterschool rejuvenation routine by wrapping up this crisp, alpine-inspired candle. The Tocca Candela Classica Chamonix will envelop their home in invigorating rosemary and pine notes that linger long after snuffing the flame. Each soy-blend candle is hand-poured into a recyclable cobalt glass jar, features a 100% cotton wick, and burns for up to 60 hours.
The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine is a gift that will aid teachers in breathing life into their classroom for years to come. This machine replaces traditional scissors and precision cuts shapes from over 50 materials, including vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on. Better still, the hardworking machine embellishes cards with foiling motifs and applies drawn shapes and writing onto projects for a personalized touch. The Cricut is an unparalleled tool for creating custom classroom signage, directions, and customized visual guides for students.
Students aren’t the only ones eager to break out fresh school supplies. Grab this midcentury-inspired weekly planner notepad for the teacher who appreciates bright colors and organization. There’s ample space to jot down all their to-dos for the week and reflect on personal wins, while its bold retro design will make them eager to revisit it at the start of each week. The notepad features 100 GSM paper and a cardstock backing for a sturdy feel under hand as they write.
Provide the teacher in your friend circle with a compact locale to charge their phone and headphones on their desk during lessons. The Behaus Multi-Device Wireless Charger Tray provides polished organization thanks to two charging areas for smart phones and a sloped valet tray to hold other daily essentials like sunglasses or lip balm. The contemporary design comes in your choice of a black or cream vegan leather finish.
Streamline their workspace with this sleek, dual-purpose organizer. The Russell + Hazel Acrylic Monthly Calendar & Pen Holder works overtime as a roomy writing utensil vessel and perpetual calendar. It’s made from clear acrylic and features gold foil letters across the top edge to indicate the days of the week. Each holder includes seven frosted acrylic inserts with golden numbers representing the days of the week. The inserts slide in and out, allowing your teacher to adjust their calendar as needed each month.
The Domg Ceramic Succulent Plant Pot is a sentimental gift idea to brighten the windowsill or desk of your little one’s elementary school teacher. The white ceramic planter sports a charming green lettering that spells out your gratitude in various fonts. It features a drainage hole and a contrasting bamboo saucer to catch excess water. Fill the planter with a low-maintenance succulent plant before gifting, and pair it with a handwritten card from their student.
Teachers can never have enough writing utensils or notepads, and this fashionable Post-it bundle offers both. Each fashionable set comes in ready-to-gift packaging and includes one long to-do list notepad, one square sticky note with bullet points, and one round sticky note for grading papers, labeling files, and jotting down important information in a pinch. Five pens in coordinating blue and green shades complete the bundle.
The Morliden Microwaveable Heated Neck Wrap Warmer will earn top marks from the teacher in your life because it offers hot and cold therapy to address aches and pains. When microwaved, the pad soothes muscles and improves blood flow to ease pain. By contrast, when chilled in the freezer, the pad functions as a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort. Each pad features a buttery-soft fabric pad, and there are several different colors to choose from.
Parents know that a hands-free bag is essential when going anywhere with children, so the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is a no-brainer gift for the teacher in your life who watches dozens of kids at a time. The sporty adjustable bag is ideal for holding their phone and other essentials during recess duty, working the car line, or moving around the school campus. It’s made from water-repellant recycled materials, and is available in 20 fresh colorways, including rose blush, raw linen, and legacy green.
As a parent, you know how rare it is to drink your coffee without needing to revive it with the microwave two (or three) times to return it to its original temperature. Teachers face the same dilemma and often don’t have a microwave to bail them out. This commute-ready mug is triple-insulated to maintain steamy temperatures for three hours, and it has a non-slip base. It holds 16 ounces and comes in 13 colors, including powder blue, oat milk, and walnut wood.
A glossy red apple is a traditional token of appreciation for teachers, and this sculptural container offers a playful way to put a contemporary spin on the classic gift. The Apple Desktop Storage Container from MoMA Design Store offers artful out-of-sight storage for pens, cables, sticky notes, flash drives, or candy. Wrap the vessel as is, or up the ante by filling it with seasonal sweets or an Amazon gift card.
For the teacher who adores organization and sends home the kindest notes, the Noted by Post-it Printed Notes Gift Box or ban.dō Midcentury Stripe Desk Notepad will not disappoint. A Corkcicle Classic Coffee Mug or Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer is a welcome gift for the teacher who greets your little one at the morning car line with a smile. The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine is a foolproof splurge for the teacher in your family who pours their soul into their classroom each year.
There are no rules on how much you should spend on a teacher’s gift, so we recommend sticking to a budget that feels comfortable for you. Most teacher gifts on our list land around $30, but we have found exceptional options priced under $15, like the Noted by Post-it Printed Notes Gift Box, and exceeding $100, like the Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine.
The big-ticket gifts are solid selections for a teacher’s family member or spouse to splurge for, while the less expensive finds are winners for students. That said, you do not need to spend to show teachers your appreciation. Save money and spend quality time with your kids by creating one of our go-to inexpensive Christmas crafts for a one-of-a-kind teacher gift they’re sure to cherish.
recycled bag Maria Conti is a contributing home and lifestyle writer for Better Homes & Gardens, with six years of curating gift guides, writing product reviews, and creating shopping guides for digital home publications. She spent hours researching top-rated products and compiling a list of the best teacher gifts that bring joy to their classrooms and elevate their daily experiences.