Teacher Gifts That Teachers Actually Want

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“A mug and water bottle are great gift options because I’m always drinking coffee or water to stay hydrated and caffeinated while teaching,” says special education teacher Erin. “When I don’t have one on me, I have to go several hours before I can take a break to get something to drink.” Gift her something that does double-duty: In the morning she can fill this insulated travel mug with her favorite coffee brew and when she’s done, it can be washed and used for water throughout the day. She can get her caffeine fix and stay hydrated, without having to carry both a mug and water bottle around.

TO BUY: $63; mouth.com

“Once the school year starts it's like running a sprint between vacations! I need all the help I can get between work and home,” says Katie, a high school physics teacher in Mount Prospect, Illinois. What she wants from her students this holiday season? “Anything coffee!” she says. Sure, you could opt for a single gourmet bag of roasted beans, but why not go all in for your child’s favorite educator? Mouth’s Java Junkie collection includes not only a can of Brooklyn Roasting’s Sumatra Permata Gayo beans, so she can brew her much needed 2 p.m. cup o’ joe, but also assorted snacks from Tcho, Roni-Sue Chocolates, The Yes Bar, Fat Toad, and Jacques Torres, so she can keep her caffeine buzz going while she’s grading papers.

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“Getting organized is the single most important thing I can do to make the school day successful,” says Sophia, a fifth grade teacher in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her secret tool? Urbio Collection’s Perch Magnetic Containers. These plastic containers are magnetized, meaning they can stick to the outside of a metal desk. And for those without magnetized surfaces, special magnetic plates can be attached to any surface using Command Strips. Not sure they’ll hold up to a big class size? They can contain up to 10 pounds of materials! “I use one for each day, so I have all student materials at my fingertips—even 30 large packets of student handouts fit easily! Every teacher who sees them wants some of their own”

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Teachers don’t travel lightly to the classroom, especially when they have notebooks, folders, lesson plans, and a laptop or tablet to bring to class. A sturdy tote will be a welcome present for any educator. “One of my students got me a monogrammed tote bag with an apple on it that I use each day,” says first grade teacher Allison. “I always think of him when carrying it. The canvas tote bag can be personalized with a monogram and symbol (like a bicycle, the Eiffel Tower, a sailboat, or an anchor). She can use this for work and during weekend errands.

BUY IT: $13 for a pack of 12; amazon.com

Though you might think teachers want gifts that don’t remind them of their school day, they actually do appreciate getting classroom supplies. As school districts cut classroom budgets, many teachers are finding themselves making up the difference… and out of their own pocket. Help out by picking up the items that are just a tad more expensive. “I love getting new sets of markers,” says Kate McNally, a high school foreign language teacher in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. These juicy dry erase markers come in 12 bold colors that will jazz up even the most dry grammar lesson. What’s more? They come with a roll-resistant cap, so they’ll sit on—not under—her desk.

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“My favorite gift so far has been jars of homemade jelly!” says Danielle, whose 7th-grade student made a batch of sweet spreads with her family to give to her teachers. “I loved it so much that she delivered another jar to me the following year when she was no longer my student. Now I use the empty jars as juice glasses!” Not putting up any preserves of your own this season? Order the “Black and Blue Jam” from Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Bonnie's Jams—it tastes great on everything from toast to peanut butter and jelly.

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He may be stuck in the classroom from Monday through Friday, but you can still encourage wanderlust with an interactive travel journal that’s filled with domestic and international travel tips, scratch-off maps, and blank pages for jotting down memories—or long-range plans. “One of my favorite gifts was a book on traveling around the USA,” says Megan, an elementary school principal. “My student remembered that I wanted to see all 50 [states] and told his mom!” Now that’s the kind of attention to detail that will send your kid straight to the head of the class.

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“My favorite gift to get is an ornament,” says Suzanne, a middle-school English teacher. “I love thinking of my students each year as I decorate my tree.” Bring the festive holiday spirit with this sleek and sophisticated ornament. Unlike most tree décor, this version plays the famous Christmas Carol “Silent Night” when you twist the base. Forget the words? The lyrics are engraved around the perimeter of the shiny silver bauble. It’s sure to delight her whole family for years to come. Free gift wrapping is available, too, so all you’ll have to do is slip it in your child’s backpack before holiday break.

BUY IT: $16; minted.com

Chances are your child’s teacher goes through a lot of paper goods throughout the year, so even more stationery would be a welcome addition. “I love personalized sticky notes, notepads, and stationery,” says Sara, a first grade teacher. “I’m always in need of those and it’s cute when it’s personalized.” Gift her a notebook emblazoned with her name or initials on it, so she’ll always know which one is hers. This one from Minted can also be ordered as an address book or monthly planner, and customized with spiral or grommet binding, and blank, lined, or graph paper.

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BUY IT: $39 for 13.5-inch square frame; westelm.com

Treat the teacher to a thoughtful keepsake from your student—it will go a long way. “For my favorite sentimental gift, all of my students got together and made me a beautiful thank you card when I was transferring to a new school,” says Allison, a first grade teacher. “I framed it and have it hanging in my bedroom.” For a similar idea, have your child create some artwork for his teacher and place it in a frame along with a small thank you card signed by him. She can keep it on her desk or hang it in the classroom.

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