30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Really Want, According to Actual Educators (2024)

My first source for this list was an obvious one: my child's teacher. She confirmed that yes, teachers want gift cards — lots of them. In fact, she recommended a "gift card bouquet," in which parents team up to clip various gift cards into floral card holders and arrange them like you would a bouquet of flowers. Where does this adorable custom iced coffee tumbler come in? That should serve as the pot. Isn't it just like a teacher to be so creative?

How sweet is this custom nameplate? It's acrylic, not glass, so you don't have to worry about it shattering when it inevitably falls on the ground.

There are 64 designs to chose from when you're getting a set of these custom stamps. Simply tell the seller which four designs you want, what the teacher's name is, and which colors you'd like.

If this acrylic heart doesn't scream "kindergarten teacher," I don't know what does.

Teachers — always toting stuff, am I right? To make their lives a bit easier, gift them a sturdy tote bag emblazoned with the "technical" definition of teacher. Amazon reviewers are all about this capacious bag, which comes in seven teacher-forward designs.

"This line of work doesn’t pay enough for true self care," wrote one Reddit user. Give teachers a free pass to spend on bath products, or whatever brings them relaxation, with an Amazon gift card.

Amazon reviewers love this sweet silver bookmark, which is a simple gift that will go a long way.

If they're a Willow Tree person (it's a thing), they definitely need this apple-wielding angel.

Make sure their lobes are pierced before you gift them a pair of these earrings! There are a few variations on the designs, including a pair with more muted, peachy colors.

It may sound simple, but a heartfelt thank-you note goes a long way. One Reddit user noted that her favorite gift was a card with a few questions answered by their child, i.e. "What makes [this teacher] the best? What does [this teacher] do that makes you happy?" Personalizing the card with a photo of the student will make it that much more memorable years down the line.

Once they clear all the gift cards out of their personalized tumbler, they'll want some coffee to put in it, right? Get them a set of premium Vietnamese coffee that'll make eight lattes on the go — perfect for that long afternoon stretch.

Buzzy accessories company Clifton Wilson makes tons of cute lapel pins, including assorted ladybugs and roses. Because teachers are the ultimate busy bees, I'm obsessed with the idea of getting them a little bumblebee.

When I say this lanyard is fully customizable, I don't just mean the name part. There are options for the type of wood beads you want, the length, the keychain metal, the tassel color, an optional badge holder, and dozens of potential bead combos. The seller will even gift wrap the lanyard in a pretty pink box for an extra $1.50!

Thinking of going in on one big gift with some other families? If your teacher is always spending their hard-earned cash on lattes, consider an espresso machine. This option from Philips makes two shots simultaneously and has a frother for perfectly warmed milk. Amazon users love how easy it is to clean and say the compact size is ideal for smaller countertops. (This would be a welcome addition to the teacher's lounge, too!)