Teachers are the backbone of education and society. They make an impact by caring for kids, shaping minds and inspiring future generations. A wise woman, Barbara Howard on “Abbott Elementary,” said, “Being a teacher is being asked to do the impossible year after year, and the only solution is to show up every day and try our best.” And since teachers do their best every day, they deserve the best gifts.
If you have a teacher in your life who deserves the world, or if you’re looking for the perfect gift for your child’s teachers, I’ve crafted a gift guide for teachers below. From affordable finds like coffee mugs to classroom essentials like vacuum cleaners, there’s something for every teacher, from preschool to high school. And these gifts are all under $100. So, start shopping today before the kids and teachers go home for the holiday season.
17 Affordable Gifts for Teachers
- Java Jolt: In high school, my teacher was so happy to be gifted a Keurig, and it’s a must-have to any teacher who needs their multiple cups a day. It brews eight to 12 ounces of fresh coffee and you can even grab them a pack of coffee K-cup pods, tea pods or hot chocolate pods if they teach the little ones — $80
- Coffee Connoisseur: If they’re bringing a cup of coffee into the classroom every day, grab them this Owala SmoothSip Coffee Tumbler. It holds 12 ounces of coffee and has a leak-proof lid and slide-top spout design — $25
- Stanley Cup Craze: If they prefer a large iced coffee, they’ll be using this Stanley Cup every day. This 30-ounce tumbler keeps drinks cold and iced for hours and it’s a number one bestseller on Amazon — $40
- Colorful Pens: Some teachers might get tired of grading papers in just red or black ink. So, get them a pack of these Paper Mate Colorful Gel Pens. If you’re making a holiday basket for a teacher, it’s the perfect essential — $13
- Abbott Elementary: This Nekteck Foot Massager has heat settings, six massage heads and 54 massage nodes to relieve pain and tension. And Quinta Brunson, a.k.a. Janine Teagues on “Abbott Elementary,” revealed to Wirecutter that a massager is a top teacher gift, especially with them being on their feet practically all day — $45
- Rainbow Row: If they already have a Cricut in the classroom, they’ll appreciate being gifted this Cricut Premium Vinyl Rainbow Rolls Bundle for projects and posters. It comes with 15 feet of rainbow rolls and 30 feet of black and white rolls — $40
- Botanical Garden: Real flowers are hard to display on their desks, especially since they die so quickly. But these LEGO Botanicals Orchids don’t need sunshine or water to look pretty — $40
- Hot and Ready Lunch: Most teachers probably don’t want to use that stained microwave in the breakroom. That’s why this Crock-Pot 20-Ounce Electric Lunch Box comes in handy. It’ll heat up their lunch and leftovers with ease and it’s easy to carry to school every day — $40
- Clean Up, Clean Up: Let’s face it: Messes happen all the time in classrooms, especially with little ones. This Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum picks up the crumbs, dust and dirt left behind — $60
- Accident Eraser: And if you’re willing to splurge a little bit, this Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet and Upholstery Deep Cleaner will come in handy for rug and carpet accidents. Teachers say it’s great for the classroom — $75
- Skincare Set: If you don’t want to go with a typical classroom essential, skincare is the way to go. This Sol de Janeiro Mini Set has everything they want and need, including body butter, shower gel and perfume — $34
- No Germs Here: Hand sanitizer in every classroom is a must-have, and this Touchland Hand Sanitizer Three-Pack also makes for another great holiday basket stuffer. Plus, it comes with three sweet-smelling, fruity sanitizers — $30
- Clear the Air: Keep dust, toxins and smells at bay in their classroom by gifting them this Levoit Air Purifier. It’ll keep the air in their classroom clean, and it operates silently so they won’t have to deal with any disturbances or loud noises while teaching — $85
- Classic Titles: Any English teacher will enjoy taking home this White Mountain Puzzles Best-Selling Book Covers Puzzle, which features covers of top classroom titles, including “Charlotte’s Web,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Animal Farm” and more — $20
- Cheese and Crackers: If they spend their time hosting on the weekends, you have to get them the ultimate hosting tool: this Royal Craft Wood Charcuterie Board. It also includes two ceramic bowls and four serving knives — $29
- Sweet Aromas: Another classroom favorite from Quinta Brunson is an oil diffuser. This one is quiet, has mist and light settings and fills the room with your favorite scent — $21
- Mini Fridge: They have to keep their drinks and lunch somewhere! Instead of making them use the teacher’s lounge, give them their own personal mini fridge. This Antarctic Star Compact Refrigerator doesn’t take up much space and it’s large enough to fit six soda cans or their breakfast and lunch — $39
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