Teachers are important people that are very dear to you, your child, or someone you know. With millions of teachers in the country, they can always use a little thank you gift so show appreciation.

If you a student, parent, a student teacher looking for a mentor gift or just another fellow teacher, whatever you find in your hear to give, will mean a lot. Here is a short list of things that teachers are really interested. So check out the fabulous gift choices of this teacher gift guide from a teacher.

Best Teacher Appreciation Gifts from a Teacher

Stationary/Notebooks/Journals

Teachers go to A LOT of meetings. Every year I fill a notebook from front to back of meeting notes and to-dos. So what better gift to give a teacher is a stationary set, notebooks, or journals. Teachers love these!

Pen Sets

What better than a stationary set? A pen set! Some teachers are serious about their set of pens and the various colors. I personally like pens that help my handwriting. So a variety of color pens would be an awesome gift for teachers!

Coffee Mugs

Coffee Mugs are a teacher’s best friend. There are so many different styles, you can find one that’s suited for each teacher your child has. There are the chalkboard and apple design mugs as well as inspirational or funny sayings.

Books

We teachers do like to read a lot. It doesn’t always have to be about education either. I recently heard a lot of teachers like audio books too!

A simple gift would be giving the gift of Kindle Unlimited.

Wall Clocks

Wall clocks depicting something a teacher might do, such as teach math, are popular gifts for teachers as are desk clocks and decorative desk lamps.

Tote Bags

Tote bags will do the trick for male or female teachers. Anything for carrying all of the items teachers have to carry between home and school will help keep everything in one place for them.

Spa Baskets or Candles

Spa baskets and spa gift cards make gifts that will give teacher a holiday of pampering. I especially remember getting a candle from one of my students, it was the gift I didn’t know I needed. It also lasted a long time which I loved!

Gift Certificates

One of the best gifts you can give a teacher is a gift certificate to her favorite teacher supply store. Teachers love to shop at places and find classroom supplies so that they don’t have to come out of her personal pocketbook.

I remember my first year teaching I received a $25 gift card from Macy’s. I didn’t even know I could accept it! So I asked my mentor teacher and she said of course! It was very much appreciated, especially for a 1st year teacher.

Other Alternatives

A great alternative to the traditional teacher gift is the Teacher Care Crate! Find more details about in the video below!

Another nice alternative gift for teachers would be to make something. I had a student make homemade cookies and wrap them in decorative gift tissue paper.

What is especially nice is, you can add your homemade cookies to a jar or nice gift box which can give them the gift of homemade cookies but with a store bought feel. Teachers absolutely love snacks and will share in the coveted teacher’s lounge, so your gift can keep on giving!

A few other gift card items teachers love: Old Navy, Starbucks, and any fast food restaurant, especially if it is close by the school!

Final Thoughts

Most teachers don’t expect gifts at all. But if you do decide to make a purchase for a teacher, this list is very helpful.

However, although we love gifts just as anybody else would, a simple thank you note for teachers will mean the world and moreover for a teacher that gives their all in and outside of the classroom daily.

If you’re a teacher, what was something you received that you will never forget?