The 26 Best Teacher Gifts for the Holidays and Beyond, from $5 to $130

Teachers may not need another monogrammed mug, but a personalized book stamp? That’s a different story. You can pick the ink color and choose between a few messages (like “from the library of” or “from the classroom of”), and they can use it to make their classroom book collection so much more official.

If you’re buying a gift for an English teacher or an elementary teacher who has helped your child learn to love reading, these adorable “bookworm” socks from Out of Print are a sweet way to say thank you.

Teachers are constantly exposed to germs of all kinds. Help them keep the bacteria at bay with this shockingly chic pocket-sized hand sanitizer spray, which smells like soothing eucalyptus. It’s a small token of appreciation that they’ll surely appreciate when cold season rolls around.

Apple motifs for teacher gifts have gotten a bad rap — but this set of sticky notes from Rifle Paper Co. comes with 50 apple-shaped sheets, and is not overplayed at all. If you’d rather a different design, it comes in four other cute styles, like this floral border version.

It’s no secret that teachers work tirelessly. Give them a gift that’s not for their classroom at all but for their own self-care, like this set of six eucalyptus and mint scented shower steamers. You could even pair it with some tea or wine for a mini “relaxing night in” bundle.

If you know you're buying a gift for a teacher who loves chocolate, this sampler pack of six mini bars from Tony's Chocolonely is a sweet pick. You could even pair it with the Lake Champlain hot chocolate mix for a full chocolate experience!

This set of four Burt’s Bees lip balms is specifically designed for teacher appreciation gifts, which is why each tube is marked with a different message of gratitude like “The BEST Teacher!” or “Thanks for inspiring me!” You could give the full pack to one teacher, or split it up if you’re buying gifts for multiple teachers. 

Everyone could use an extra reusable bag for groceries, school supplies, or whatever else you find yourself needing to carry — and Baggu sells stylish options that somehow makes the practical act of toting things feel fun. Treat your child’s teacher to a pattern that makes you think of them!

Classrooms can be unpredictably hot or cold. A soft, pretty throw like this one from Magnolia is perfect for teachers to keep at their desk for whenever they need an extra cozy layer.

Teaching, especially for those working with young kids, comes with a lot of hand-washing. A really nice, moisturizing hand lotion is a great teacher gift idea, and this santal and vetiver option from Salt & Stone is highly-rated for its “sophisticated” and “expensive” fragrance (according to reviewers) and non-greasy finish.

My sister, who is an elementary school teacher, swears by these Paper Mate Flair Felt Tips Pens, which she says feel like grown-up markers in the best way. She says she’d be thrilled to receive this 32-count set as a teaching gift.

This magnetic bookmark from Uncommon Goods marks your page with a pretty felted bouquet of flowers. You could gift this on its own with a card, or pair it with a gift card to a local bookstore. 

So many of my sister’s favorite gifts involve a handwritten note or piece of art by one of her students. Package up one of your kid’s drawings in this tasteful Anthropologie Wavy Wooden Frame, which they can use for their own photo or art later.

Anthropologie's icon glasses are so cute, and this one comes with a lid that makes it perfect for sipping iced coffee without worrying that it will spill everywhere. Buy a gift card to a nearby coffee shop to go along with it and you have a teacher gift they’ll thank you for every morning.

Level up a teacher's packed lunches with this Fresh-to-Table Leakproof Bowl from Stanley. It comes in a 16-ounce size and a one-quart size and keeps food hot or cold for hours, per the product description, thanks to its double-wall insulation, making it ideal for everything from salad bowls to soup.

A well-designed journal is a classic gift, and teachers can use it for classroom planning or notetaking, or bring it home and use it for personal writing. This beautiful hand-marbled journal from Minted is a nice, compact size (8.5 inches by 6 inches), so it won’t take up much space in their bag or on their shelf.

Personalized stationery is one of those things you may not treat yourself to, which makes it an extra thoughtful gift for someone else. You can customize this mod, star-bordered set of 15 cardstock notes with your child’s teacher’s name or initials, or another short message.

Calpak sells a variety of stylish and well-performing travel bags, but this Insulated Lunch Bag is not to be overlooked — and makes for such a nice teacher gift. It has an insulated lining, exterior pockets, and handy drawstring closure, not to mention it currently comes in 17 colors and patterns that are all so good, it’s hard to choose a favorite.

If you’re buying a gift for a coffee-loving teacher, this Coffee from Around the World Gift Set is a fun way to help them spice up their morning routine and maybe even discover a new beloved blend. It comes with nine different kinds of coffee from across the globe, and each box contains enough ground beans for about three cups of coffee.

L.L. Bean’s Boat and Tote bag is a highly rated classic for a reason: It’s made of thick cotton canvas; has a flat, reinforced bottom; and its handles are tested to hold up to 500 pounds, according to the product description. It comes in over a dozen colors and four sizes, and this zip-top version is ideal for making sure nothing falls out in transit.