The 12 Best Teacher Gifts for Christmas Guaranteed to Please

The holidays are a time for love and giving – what better way to show your appreciation than by getting the absolute best teacher gifts for Christmas?

But with so many different options out there, it can be tough to decide what’s best. Fear not! We’re here to help.

Today we’ll discuss some of the best gifts for teachers at Christmas. We’ll cover everything from practical items that teachers will love to receive, to more sentimental gifts that will touch their hearts.

First, it’s important to consider what your child’s teacher is like. Do they have a sense of humor? Are they always well-dressed and put together? This can help narrow down your choices for best teacher gifts for Christmas.

So keep reading to find the perfect gift for your favorite teacher!

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In This Guide:

The 12 Best Teacher Gifts for Christmas

If you’re stumped on what gift to give your child’s teacher this holiday season, you’re not alone.

Many parents struggle when trying to find the best teacher gifts for Christmas. While material things are always nice, remember that sometimes it’s the thought that counts most.

RELATED The 30 Best Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Here are 12 of the best teacher gifts for Christmas ideas to get you started:

1 | Donations for Their Class Library

One of the best gifts you can give a teacher is a book donation to their class library.

This is something that will be appreciated and used by the entire class, and it’s a great way to show your gratitude for all that the teacher does during the holiday season.

If you’re unsure of what books to donate, you can always ask the teacher for their wish list (many have them ready to distribute on Amazon!).

If you’re looking for some fun and informative options, check out these 15 amazing educational children’s books for brainy kids.

2 | Gift Cards

Gift cards may seem a bit impersonal, but they are by far teachers’ favorite Christmas gift.

The most popular are gift cards to Amazon, Target, and Walmart since they can find just about anything they want there.

Some more ideas for fun gift cards include local restaurants, spas, salons, movie theaters, and bookstores.

If you want to dress up your gift card a bit, the wrapping can make it stand out. Presentation can really take it up a notch, so here are adorable ideas for giving gift cards:

Put it in a cute teacher-themed tumbler, mason jar, or water bottle.
Wrap it up in a larger box just like any other present.
Put Movie Tickets in a Popcorn bucket with extra movie snacks.
Put a restaurant gift card in a folded take out container.
Attach it to a cute printable, like this free one from Where The Smiles Have Been.

3 | A Personalized Teacher Stamp

This may seem like a small gift, but it’s actually one of the best gifts you can give a teacher.

A personalized teacher stamp is something that they can use every day, and it’s a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work.

Choose from personalized options for grading (“Mr. Johnson says Great Job!” or “Ms. Smith says Purr-fect!“) or for their classroom library (“From the Library of Mrs. Chapman, read it- love it- return it“).

4 | A Hot Drink

Winter is a great time for warm beverages like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, so find out the teacher’s favorite.

There’s usually lots of pre-assembled gift sets this time of year, but you can also put together your own with their drink of choice. For instance, you could give a few flavors of coffee or tea or create a hot chocolate kit with mix, marshmallows, and peppermint sticks.

5 | School Supplies

Ok, so not the most exciting gift, but most teachers end up spending their own money on these for the classroom.

Some supply ideas include:

Felt tip flair pens
Dry erase markers
Personalized pencils
Sharpies
Post it notes

You can really dress these up with a fun presentation too like a gift basket or even just a cute tag. This adorable printable gift tag is perfect for gifting markers or this one is great for flair pens.

6 | Hand Soap

Everyone uses hand soap and this time of year there are lots of festive options. A cute gift tag makes this an adorable gift.

This printable tag is super cute and makes gifting so easy!

7 | Christmas Ornaments

Before going with an ornament, make sure the teacher celebrates Christmas. Even better, if you know that they love Christmas.

Ornaments that are personalized, handmade by your child, or best of all both will really stand out.

For inspiration, here is an easy tutorial for making a personalized teacher ornament with paint pens.

8 | Cookie Baking Kit

Make their holiday baking a little bit quicker with a cookie baking kit. You can often find kits this time of year, but they are super easy and inexpensive to put together yourself.

Ideas for your cookie baking kit:

Cookie dough mix
- Cookie cutter
- Sprinkles
Spatula
A cute potholder (like this one)

9 | A Spa Day Kit

One of the best gifts you can give a teacher for Christmas is a relaxing day at the spa from the comfort of their own home.

This is something that they will definitely appreciate, as it’s a great way to relax and unwind after a long semester.

There are many different ways to put together a spa day kit. You can include items such as scented candles, bath bombs, face masks, and more.

For extra fun, try to make the spa kit holiday-themed! Throw in scented soaps, peppermint hair masks, and Christmas nail stickers.

10 | Cute Stationary

Another great option for teacher gifts for Christmas is cute stationary.

This may seem like a simple present, but it’s actually something that many teachers can really use. Since they are often writing letters to students, having nice stationary on hand is always appreciated.

There are so many different ways to personalize this gift. You can find stationary with the teacher’s favorite animals, colors, or even with their name on it.

If you’re feeling really creative, you can even make your own using personalized note cards!

You can also include a nice pen set to go along with the stationary. And don’t forget the stamps!

11 | Fun Holiday Socks

Another great gift idea for teachers is a pair of fun holiday socks.

This is a gift that they can use and enjoy all winter long, and it’s a great (and inexpensive) way to show your appreciation for their hard work.

There are so many different options when it comes to fun socks! You can find everything from Christmas-themed to socks with cute teacher-related sayings or patterns.

12 | A Hardy Plant

A plant is another great Christmas gift idea for teachers. Not only are they relatively inexpensive, but they also add a touch of life to any classroom.

However, it’s important to choose a plant that is easy to care for, as teachers often have enough on their hands without having to worry about watering a plants every day.

Small succulents are hardy and easy to find during the holiday season. Add a cute teacher appreciation tag and a bow and you’re good to go!

What Teachers Should NOT Get for Christmas

Just as there are some great gift ideas for teachers, there are also some gifts that should be avoided.

Here are a few of the items NOT to get your teacher for Christmas:

Mugs. They already have a TON of teacher-themed mugs and cups.
Personal Hygiene Products. These are very personalized and can have potential sensitivity issues.
Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on school grounds, especially if being transported by a student.
Homemade Food. Due to complications with preferences, allergies, and sanitation – homemade Christmas cookies and candy should be avoided.

For some great alternatives, check out the 30 Best Teacher Gift Ideas (and Ones to Avoid!).