33 Most Thoughtful Gifts for Teachers in 2024

Do you ever wonder what the best gifts for teachers are? Each time Teacher Appreciation Week rolls around, you might find yourself asking what sorts of gifts teachers will use and appreciate most. This list of 33 most thoughtful gifts for teachers will help you find the perfect gift for the teachers who do so much for our students. 

According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, teachers are still struggling with lingering instability from the pandemic. Between online teaching, low student engagement and other problems, teacher morale could use some serious boosting!

You’ll be sure to find something here that will bring a smile to their face. We’ve broken this list of the best teacher gift ideas down into different categories of gifts so you know exactly what will best suit your child’s teacher.

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• Creative Gifts for Teachers
• Foodie Gifts for Teachers
• Unique Gifts for Teachers
• DIY Gifts for Teachers
• Useful Gifts for Teachers

Creative Gifts for Teachers

1. Paint and Sip Sessions

Give your teachers an opportunity to relieve stress and get creative by booking them a paint and sip session. There are paint and sip locations in most major cities, like paint and sip in Denver, paint and sip in Chicago or paint and sip in NYC.

If you don’t live in any of those areas, don’t worry! There’s sure to be paint and sip near you. You can also give an artsy gift card so they can choose a creative experience of their own! If you're unsure which class they want to get, get them a Classpop! gift card so they can choose!

2. Pottery Classes

Another creative gift for teachers is a pottery class. Your teacher will be able to work with their hands, shaping clay into something beautiful and useful to decorate their home or classroom.

There are pottery classes in Boston, pottery classes in Houston, pottery classes in Los Angeles and pottery classes near you that you can book for them, or give them a gift card to book their own any time.

3. Dance Classes

Gift your teacher the gift of movement with a dance class! There are dance classes in Las Vegas, dance classes in NYC, dance classes in the Bay Area and even online dance classes that will get them up and moving and letting loose.

4. A Night on the Town

Give your teachers tickets to a local sporting event or theater production. They’ll enjoy the break from school as they spend time out and about in your city. Pair this gift for teachers with other experience gift cards for a great gift combination.

5. Date Night Gift Basket

Give your teachers the chance to get away from work on a fun date night. Fill teacher gift basket ideas with candy, snacks and a gift card to a local restaurant, movie theater or paint and sip session so they can take time away from grading papers and relax with their partner.

6. A Sweet Portrait

If you have small children, ask them to draw a picture of their teacher and write them a note. This makes for an extra sweet retirement gift for teachers.  Put your child’s work in a frame and give it to their teacher as a cute gift for teachers from students.

Foodie Gifts for Teachers

7. Cooking Classes

Give your child’s teacher the chance to cook up some new dishes with cooking classes in Houston, cooking classes in Tucson, cooking classes in Portland or cooking classes near you. You could even surprise them with online cooking classes for one of the best gifts for teachers.

8. Snack Basket

Looking for a thoughtful teacher appreciation gift you know they'll love? Find out what your child’s teacher’s favorite snacks are and make them a basket full to stash in their classroom.

This is one of the best gifts for teachers because they’ll be able to reach into their snack stash whenever they get hungry during the day, making this a great gift for foodies.

9. Homemade Treats

If you’re looking for a simple birthday gift for teachers, try making a batch of your favorite cookies or snacks and sending them to school with your child.

This small gift for teachers might not cost much, but the thought behind it will show your child’s teachers that you care. 

10. A Homemade Dinner

Looking for a helpful thank you gift for teachers that’s a step up from homemade cookies? Why not offer to make your child’s teacher dinner? This also makes a thoughtful Thanksgiving gift for teachers they'll truly appreciate.

This gift might take more planning on your part and communication with the teacher, but you can send your child to school with a bag full of pre-made dinner for your teacher’s family to take some of the work off of them when they leave school for the day.

11. A Catered Meal

Another, larger way to provide food for your child’s teacher is to offer to cater one of their department meetings or team meetings.

Provide an easy breakfast like bagels and coffee for early morning meetings, or even provide sub sandwiches or party platters for a lunch meeting. You’ll be able to show your appreciation for the entire team or department, not just your child’s teacher!

12. Wine or Cocktail Kit

What better way to help the teachers in your life relax than by gifting them a nice bottle of wine or a fun cocktail-making kit? There are plenty of gifts for wine lovers and gifts for cocktail lovers available online — just make sure you check your school district’s guidelines about giving alcohol as a gift!

Unique Gifts for Teachers

13. Online Game Nights

Give your teacher a chance to test their competitiveness with online activities like online trivia games, virtual game nights, virtual scavenger hunts or virtual escape rooms.

They’ll be able to stay comfy at home while engaging their mental capacities and competitive nature! Play with the whole class for an epic Teacher Appreciation Day idea or spirit week idea at school. 

14. Personalized Stamp

A personalized stamp with an ink pad is a great gift idea for any teacher. This thoughtful gift for teachers will allow them to stamp their papers with their name, date, or other custom word or phrase.

15. A Good Book

Give your teacher the chance to relax and read by giving them one of your favorite books or a gift card to a local bookstore. This is a great end of year gift for teachers who need a new summer read. 

You could also give them an audiobook subscription if audiobooks are more their speed. Pair the book with a cozy pair of socks or slippers to complete the comfy reading experience. 

16. Personalized Door Hanger

Make or buy a sign or wreath for the outside of your teacher’s classroom door. Come up with a clever theme or design that fits your teacher’s subject matter or passion! Etsy can be a great place to shop for unique, handmade items that make the best personalized teacher gifts 

17. Aromatherapy

Give your teacher an oil diffuser to use in the classroom or at home. Pair this gift for teachers with a selection of different essential oils to reduce stress and promote relaxation.

18. Electric Mug Warmer

This is one of the best gift ideas for busy teachers. Instead of letting their coffee sit and get cold, an electric mug warmer will keep their mug toasty while they take care of their to-do list.

19. Blue Light Glasses

Many teachers spend hours in front of computer screens writing lesson plans and grading work. Why not give them a pair of blue light filtering glasses to reduce the strain on their eyes? This gift for professors and teachers is thoughtful and unique. 

DIY Gifts for Teachers

20. Hands-On Experiences

Give your teachers the chance to learn a new skill with virtual flower arranging classes. Woodworking classes or glass blowing classes. They’ll be able to indulge their creative side while taking a break from the classroom.

21. Handmade Gift

If you or your child is skilled at sewing, crocheting or knitting, consider making your teacher a blanket or scarf to keep them warm and show your appreciation.

If your child is skilled in these areas, this makes a wonderful gift for teachers from students, and shows just how much your child loves his or her instructor!

22. Framed Photo

For a gift for teachers that is inexpensive but still thoughtful, consider framing a picture of your child with his or her teacher. This sweet gift idea will be easy on your budget and make a good gift under $50, but it will still be a sentimental addition to the teacher’s classroom décor.

23. Class Scrapbook

This gift idea might take a little more planning, but it would be a great way to end the school year or as a thoughtful retirement gift. Work with the other parents in your child’s class to gather notes, pictures and fun memories from the school year.

Put them in a handmade scrapbook or create a digital photo album that you can print for a meaningful end of year gift for teachers.

24. Digital Gift Card

If you don’t have time to plan a year-long scrapbook, there are still plenty of last-minute gift ideas for teachers!

Just about any teacher would appreciate a gift card to his or her favorite stores, and many retailers offer online gift cards that can be delivered straight to their email inbox. Use this easy gift idea for a quick pick-me-up in the middle of a long school year.

Useful for Teachers 

25. Sewing Classes

Sewing classes can be a great way to learn a new skill or a fun creative hobby. This would be a great gift for teachers who already have a creative or crafty bent. Sewing classes are a great way for anyone to calm down and look at things from a new angle!

26. Cozy Essentials

Give your teacher a basket with cozy blankets, slippers and snacks. They’ll be able to rest up and get ready for the next stretch of teaching with this warm and cozy Christmas gift for teachers to enjoy over winter break.

27. Classroom Supplies

While it might not be the most glamorous of gifts, many teachers buy classroom supplies with their own money. Ask your child’s teacher what’s on their classroom wish list, and make their day with fresh crayons, glue or whatever other supplies they might need!

28. Keep Them Caffeinated

For a small gift for teachers, give a personalized mug or tumbler and a gift card to their favorite coffee shop. For a larger gift, consider donating a new coffee maker to the staff at the school, and give the teacher workroom a caffeinated upgrade!

29. Teacher Tech

Give your teacher a high-tech gift like a charging station or a pair of noise-canceling headphones so they can tune out distractions while they work at home or during their planning time. 

30. Monogrammed Tote Bag

Give your teacher a cute tote bag to carry home all those papers to grade! Land’s End makes great canvas options, and Vera Bradley always has fun patterns to choose from, making this a very useful gift for professors, teachers and other educators. 

31. Car Care

Give your teacher a thoughtful and practical gift by taking care of their car for them. This could be a gas card, a gift card for an oil change or even a gift card or membership to a local car wash.

It’s not the most glamorous gift, but it takes something off of your teacher’s to-do list and gives them a little more time to relax or spend with their family. 

32. A New Lunch Bag

Give your teacher a cute, personalized lunch bag or box that they’ll be able to use each day. Fill it with goodies or with a portable, reusable silverware kit for a thoughtful gift for teachers.

33. Give the Gift of Self Care

Pamper your teachers with a gift card to a local spa or a certificate to get a manicure or pedicure. If those aren’t an option, try creating a gift basket full of self-care items like face masks, bubble bath and lotion!

A DIY spa basket can be just as relaxing and encouraging as a gift card and makes for a useful end of year gift for teachers who are ready for some well-deserved time to themselves.

We think these gifts for teachers are one step in the right direction. No matter what age your children are, or what interests their teachers have, there is a gift idea on this list for them.

We hope this list of the best new teacher gift ideas of the year has encouraged you to give back to the educators who give so much to their students on a daily basis.

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!