If there’s ever been a time when teachers could use some appreciation, this is it! This year, choosing teacher gifts might be a little more challenging since lots of teachers and kids aren’t even getting to see each other in person. Fortunately, there are lots of great teacher gifts you can send via email or snail mail. (Some of these may require a couple of extra stamps, so check postal rates before mailing.) Here are some of the best ideas we’ve seen.
Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!
1. Thank You Note
We’ve said it time and again: thank you notes make amazing teacher gifts. Whether it’s from parents, kiddos, principals, or colleagues, all educators welcome (and deserve!) a pat on the back. Younger kids can use the free printable template from The Suburban Mom to send their warm wishes. Don’t know your teacher’s address? Snap a photo and send it via email!
2. Handmade Card
Feeling crafty? Pull out the construction paper, scissors, glue, and glitter (if you dare!) and design a special card for your favorite teacher. Fun House Toys shows you how to make a beautiful 3-D bouquet that any teacher will love.
Learn more: Fun House Toys
3. Paper Flower Bouquet
Not so crafty? That’s OK, because cool card maker Lovepop has got you covered. They have incredible designs, including pop up flower bouquets that fold flat to send in the mail!
Buy it: Lovepop Wildflower Bouquet Popup Card
4. Send a Hug
Here’s an especially sweet idea for distance learning teachers—send them the hugs they’re missing out on this year. The length of string corresponds to your child’s outstretched arms. So thoughtful!
Learn more: Loving Green
5. Sticky Notes
Individual sticky note pads are small enough to slip in a regular envelope along with a card. (They might require a little extra postage, so check the weight.) And teachers never run out of uses for them!
Buy it: Redi-Tag Thought Bubble Sticky Notes
6. Plantable Paper Wishes
Tuck these little hearts into a thank you note—they’re made of paper embedded with flower seeds so recipients can drop them in the garden come spring. For a special touch, write a wish for your teacher on each one (happiness, joy, peace, coffee…).
Buy it: Bloomin Seed Paper Hearts
7. Folding Reusable Bags
Sometimes teachers have more to carry than will fit in their reliable teacher tote. That’s why we like these little foldable bags. They’re the perfect size to tuck in a handbag or keep in a desk drawer when you need a little extra baggage room. Plus, they’re small and light enough to pop into a thank you card envelope.
Buy it: Folding Reusable Bags, Set of 5
8. Amazon Prime Membership
Did you know you can give an Amazon Prime membership as a gift? If a whole year is over your budget, try the 3-month option. Even if your teacher recipient already has Prime, they can use this to extend their current membership.
Buy it: Amazon Prime Gift Membership
9. Audible Membership
Audible offers all sorts of eBooks, so there’s something here for everyone’s taste. You can buy Audible gift memberships by the month, so this is an affordable choice in any price range.
Buy it: Audible Membership
10. Magazine Subscription
Around the holidays, lots of magazines offer discount subscriptions (some as low as $5 for a whole year!). Here are a few of our favorites to try.
11. eBooks
If you know their taste in reading, eBooks can make fantastic teacher gifts. Choose your book, and Amazon will send an email letting them know how to pick it up. (They can read the book on any computer, phone, or tablet using the Kindle App.) Here are a few we love.
- F In Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers
- The Teacher’s Guide to Self-Care
- Math Jokes: 500+ Funny, Cheesy, and Clean Jokes for Kids and Math Teachers
12. Streaming Services
Give the gift of entertainment! Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu sell gift cards at most major retailers, which work for new and existing subscribers. Other services offer gift subscriptions on their site. Try Broadway HD for the theater lover or The Criterion Channel for cinephiles.
13. Snack Box Subscription
Send teachers fun snacks from around the world or closer to home with a snack box monthly delivery. These favorites let you send one-month, three-month, six-month, or one-year subscriptions. Your teacher gets an email letting them activate their treats whenever they’re ready, so you don’t need to worry about a home address.
14. Gift Cards
When in doubt, gift cards make the best teacher gifts. Many retailers offer digital options you can send via email, so they’re perfect for last-minute shoppers. Amazon and Target are reliable choices, plus check out our full list of favorite teacher gift cards here.
Looking for more? Check out The 10 Best Gifts for Teachers This Year.
Plus, 13 Holiday Gifts Every Teacher Has Received At Least Once.
