Reviews Gifts
Written by Alicia Betz, Connie Chen, and Alexis Berry
Updated
2022-11-01T21:31:55Z
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Teachers deserve a lot of appreciation these days and a great way to show them that all of their hard work has made an impact is with a simple but effective gift — particularly one that could help make their lives that much easier.
Whether it's Teacher Appreciation Week or the last day of your favorite class, we outlined some practical gifts for your favorite teacher, from a portable coffee maker to an under-desk foot hammock.
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A set of teacher affirmation cards
Teacher Affirmation Cards
Teaching can be overwhelming but these affirmation cards are sweet and grounding reminders that their work is meaningful. With mantras like "What other teachers swear by may not work for me and that's okay" and "My students feel safe in my classroom," these cards are a small but sweet token of appreciation for any teacher.
A mini Crock-Pot to warm their lunch
Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer
Bringing a cold lunch every day to quickly eat at their desk can be boring. This mini Crock-Pot can be plugged in their classroom to warm up soups, oatmeal, dips, or anything else they want for a warm and relaxing lunch period.
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Adorable apple earrings for everyday wear
Fruit Drop Earrings
An apple is an old-school teacher gift but this one will last far longer than the first day of class. These bright, hand-cut fruit drop earrings come in strawberry, pink grapefruit, and green apple for a cute accessory they'll want to wear every day.
A custom box of self-care goodies
Happy Boxes Build a Care Package
If you want to give the teacher in your life a custom care package, Happy Box has tons of unique gifts to choose from, including custom mugs, snacks, candles, coffee, and more. If you aren't sure what to include, you can start with a curated box and make it their own with a sweet card.
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A meaningful memory book
Teacher Memory Book
It can be easy to focus on the hard and stressful days of teaching but this thoughtful memory book will help them capture the best moments. With space for photos, student quotes, and question prompts, this gift is one they'll cherish throughout the years.
A cute K-Mini Single-Serve coffee maker
K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker
If your teacher is a big fan of coffee, why not bring that luxury straight to their classroom? This miniature coffee maker is just small enough to fit on a desk or end-table and comes in six different colors for optimal color coordination. Plus, it'll be nice to have on-demand caffeine for those late-night grading sessions.
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An adjustable under-desk foot hammock
Under Desk Foot Hammock
Add a little bit of fun to sitting behind a desk with this under-rest foot hammock. As comfortable as it is discreet, this quirky rest helps remove deep aches and pains from the lower back and feet by reducing swelling and fatigue. Plus, it's suitable for most desks, made of 100% premium quality cotton fabric, and even has a headphone holder.
A chic school supply organizer
Marbrasse Bamboo Art Supply Organizer
This school supply organizer is an elevated take on the typical plastic container. It rotates for convenient access, but it can blend seamlessly in their classroom or home.
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Treats to add to their snack stash
Snack Magic Stash
Almost every teacher keeps a stash of snacks and treats for those days when they really need a pick-me-up. With a snack magic box, you can create a custom snack box full of treats the teacher will love.
A comfortable space to work
Lapgear Lap Desk
Teachers inevitably have to bring their work home. With this lap desk, at least they can work comfortably from their bed or the couch as they lesson plan or grade on weekends. The desk comes in seven unique patterns.
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A personalized message from their favorite celebrity
Cameo Video
Take the gold standard of teacher gifts — a personal and thoughtful letter — up a notch and have their favorite celebrity deliver the message. You can choose from thousands of celebrities to record a personalized video message to send to the teacher. (Since the more famous celebrities can be pricier, this can be a great gift to split with other classmates).
A heater to make their classroom more comfortable
Honeywell VersaHeat Digital Two Position Ceramic Personal Heater
Most teachers don't get to choose the temperature of their classroom, and shivering or sweating uncontrollably doesn't make for an ideal workday. With this space heater that also functions as a fan, they can make their classroom comfortable all year long. Just be sure to check that space heaters are allowed in classrooms before purchasing.
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Hand cream to combat dryness
Tonymoly Hand Cream
After washing and sanitizing their hands all day long, teachers' skin easily becomes dry and cracked. This premium peach hand cream will keep their hands soft and smelling nice.
A warming plate for their coffee
Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer
It's a rare day that a teacher gets to finish their coffee before it gets cold. Give them the gift of perpetually warm coffee with this mug warmer they can plug in right at their desk.
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Bookends for their home or classroom
Agate Bookends
These beautiful bookends are made of solid agate. They can decide to use it in their home library or as a homey accent in their classroom.
Rainbow cookies for their sweet tooth
Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookie Tins
Many teachers keep a secret stash of their favorite treats hidden somewhere in their desks. Satisfy their sweet tooth with a tin of beautiful rainbow chocolate chip cookies.
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A story from the students' perspective
"Dear Teacher" by Paris Rosenthal
Perfect for preschool or kindergarten teachers, "Dear Teacher" is a love letter to all kinds of educators, written from the perspective of the kids who learn from them. It's an adorable message that teachers can share and appreciate with their students.
A scented candle that reminds them of a happy place
Homesick Scented Candle
This is a great gift that's sure to make them feel sentimental. Whether it's their hometown, college town, or favorite spot to vacation, a Homesick candle — with scents inspired by all sorts of locations — will bring them back to that favorite place.
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A tablet that lets them convey handwritten material remotely
XP-Pen Graphic Tablet
Shop at Amazon
One of the difficult aspects of remote learning is finding resourceful and convenient ways to mirror in-person tactics teachers use. This Graphic Tablet lets teachers draw using the stylus to convey information they may have handwritten before, such as math formulas or diagrams.
A funny book of the best wrong test answers
"F in Exams" by Richard Benson
After a stressful year for teachers, you may want to celebrate the funny and lighthearted side of the job. This book compiles some of the most amusing and inventive real-life wrong answers to grade school and high school tests.
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A personalized embosser for their library
StampiShop Custom Stamp
This unique, thoughtful gift embosses books with "from the library of [their name]" by pressing down like a hole-puncher. It's the kind of thing most people would never buy themselves but would genuinely cherish and get a kick out of if they received it as a present.
The best water bottle they'll ever use
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
A stellar water bottle is a timeless life upgrade, but it'll be especially useful this summer. This stainless steel version from HydroFlask is the best water bottle you can buy, thanks to insulated stainless steel that keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to six.
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Delicious food from some of the best restaurants in the US
Restaurant Meal Kits
Bring a bit of their favorite restaurant right to their door. From bagels to barbeque, Goldbelly ships food gifts nationwide from iconic eateries in major cities.
A water-resistant speaker to enjoy outside this summer
Soundcore Flare Mini Bluetooth Speaker
Ensure they enjoy the summer with a portable, water-resistant speaker like this version from Anker. It's got a 12-hour battery life as well as LED lights on the bottom that they can adjust for five different lighting moods. We think it's the best relatively cheap Bluetooth speaker you can buy.
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A comfy sleep mask
Luxury Sleep Mask
Gift a comfortable sleep mask and help them get the kind of restorative, deep sleep they must need this year.
A coloring book full of relatable phrases
"Teacher Life: A Snarky Chalkboard Coloring Book"
Shop at Amazon
There are some situations that only teachers can understand, and this adult coloring book perfectly captures them with humor and cheekiness. The illustrations are single-sided, so they can take the page out and frame it if they so wish.
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Substantial, comfortable socks
Bombas Socks All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks
Adulthood transforms socks from a banal, unexciting gift to a precious life upgrade. Bombas makes some of our favorite and most comfortable pairs, and we love to gift them to friends and family.
A convenient wireless phone charger
Moshi Otto Q Wireless Charger
Make their life that much easier with a wireless fast-charging pad that they can simply set their phone on top of in order to charge. After years of using the Moshi Otto Q, we ranked this version the best wireless charger you can buy. It's compatible with iPhones, AirPods, Samsung Galaxy/Note, Google Pixel, and other Qi-enabled devices.
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A gift card for travel experiences
Airbnb Gift Card
Summer vacation is almost here, and you can help your teacher plan some much-needed time off with an Airbnb gift card that never expires (and can be used for online experiences if they're not comfortable traveling right now).
A small potted plant for their desk
Snake Plant Laurentii
Instead of gifting a flower bouquet, try an indoor plant. It lasts longer and requires less maintenance, but livens up their desk just as well.
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A colorful tote bag
BAGGU Giant Pocket Tote
BAGGU makes great bags and its machine-washable cotton totes are no exception. Help your teacher carry all those lesson plans, tests, and homework papers with this cute yet sturdy tote.
An insulated mug
Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Mug
Whatever it is they drink in the morning to prepare them for the school day ahead, this insulated mug keeps the beverage at the appropriate temperature for an astonishingly long amount of time. It has a comfortable handle and comes in many bright colors.
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Takeout any time they want it
Door Dash Gift Card
Teachers log long days to support and enrich the lives of their students. Make sure their next easy, delicious dinner and relaxing night in is comped with a Doordash gift card.
A comfortable seat cushion
Purple Portable Seat Cushion
Shop at Amazon
These cushions can help soothe sore muscles and alleviate back strain. They're available in a variety of designs and thicknesses. Read our full review here.
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A way to squeeze in leisure reading
Audible 3-Month Membership
In between grading papers and designing lesson plans, it might be hard for your teacher to carve out time to read a book (for fun). Audible is a great way to catch up on the bestsellers everyone's reading, appreciate the classics from a new angle, or finally dive into that book they keep falling asleep to in bed.
Decadent cupcakes they can enjoy
Cupcake Gift Boxes
Who doesn't love getting a sweet surprise? With delicious flavors ranging from Cookie Dough to Pink Frosted Donut, these bite-size treats are sure to please. You can also add a special gift box to complete the gift.
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Practical, reusable silicone straws
Five Two Silicone Straws Single Pack
Bendable, sustainable, and portable (thanks to the set of carrying cases), these fun straws are the accessory they can use in their classroom, at home, and on the go.
A coffee subscription
Driftaway Coffee Subscription
Chances are the coffee in the teacher's lounge isn't exactly top-notch. Thankfully, Driftaway Coffee's is, and keeps things interesting by sending new whole bean varieties every month (and improving upon the next selection based on their feedback). By the end of the school year, your teacher will have a good idea of the type of coffee they really like.
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A detailed poster of opening lines from famous novels
Lab 'Diagrammatical Dissertation on Opening Lines of Notable Novels'
English and grammar teachers will appreciate this chart diagramming the opening lines from 25 famous works of fiction. After admiring thepartitioned, color-coded picto-grammatical representations, they'll want to read the books all over again.
A fragrant candle
Otherland Candle
These sophisticated coconut and soy wax candles come in scents ranging from refreshingCanopy (fig, ivy greens, mint) to rich Chandelier (champagne, saffron, leather).The beautiful look, delightful scents, and personalized matchbox make this candle gifting experience special.
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A personalized notebook, planner, or address book
Teach From The Heart Notebook
Give this one to the best teacher you know. You'll be able to customize the cover design, interior cover, and interior format of the notebook.
A pillow massager for their neck and back
Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager
If you've ever caught your child's teacher looking stressed or tense, you can fix that with this heated at-home massager that feels almost like a professional massage. It has four deep-kneading rotating nodes to relieve aches, knots, and muscle tension.
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A fun tape dispenser
Otto the Otter Tape Dispenser
Shop at Amazon
An adorable twist to the traditional, ugly tape dispenser will instantly liven up their desk.
A cute, funny coffee mug
StitchandprintStudio Watch Me Click Now Watch Me Grade Grade mug
A cute mug that reminds them of their grateful students can be a fun, routine moment of motivation in a busy day.
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A handy phone stand
Lamicall Cellphone Stand
The simple, sleek, and durable stand is the perfect way to keep their device upright at just the right angle as they work. While it's a no-frills gift, it's undoubtedly practical and useful.
A personalized desk sign
GaroSigns Personalized Desk Wedge Sign
The wedge is a solid natural hardwood while the sign is shatter-resistant fogged acrylic glass, allowing it to last through any teacher's illustrious career.
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A gift card to stock up on work shirts
Public Rec Gift Card
Public Rec makes the most versatile polo shirt we've found, and many of the offerings from this athleisure brand are suitable for the classroom and beyond.
A custom rubber stamp
SayaBellStamps Custom Stamp
Gift the stamp they'll always reach for first as they check and grade homework. You can get creative by submitting a picture of your teacher's face or their favorite catchphrase. There are three different mount choices and many more size options.
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A book-of-the-month subscription
Book of the Month 3-Month Membership
A hardcover book delivered monthly is a great way for a teacher to unplug and kick their feet up over summer break. Every month, they can choose from acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles.
A cozy plush blanket
Bliss Plush Throw
Add to their home setup with a plush throw to wrap themselves in luxury. Available in a wide array of colors, this blanket adds coziness to any room.
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A novelty USB flash drive
Pink Pig USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Shop at Amazon
A cute and funny flash drive can instantly make work more fun. Sometimes, it's the little things.
A smart home device
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation)
For work or leisure, the small smart home device is endlessly useful. They can play Jeopardy, ask for recipes, listen to the news, turn lights on, play music, reorder products, and more.
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A personalized key ring
Leatherology Hotel Keychain
The full-grain leather keychain is a perfectly composed accessory that they'll love to carry, especially if you personalize it (for only $5) with a monogram.
A beautiful note cube
Louis C. Tiffany Favrile Note Cube
Known for his stained glass work, Louis C. Tiffany lends his colorful and delicate designs to this tray, which holds 500 loose paper sheets and 50 color paper clips.
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Freelance Writer
Alicia Betz is a freelance writer for Insider Reviews, where she specializes in parenting and education. She researches and tests products from the hottest new toys to the most tried and true parenting products. Alicia tests products in the field with her daughter. She earned her bachelor of science degree in education from Penn State University with concentrations in English and communications. She earned her master of arts degree in education from Michigan State University with concentrations in literacy and technology. Alicia holds a certificate in online teaching and learning and is licensed to teach in Pennsylvania. She was a teacher from 2012 through 2019 and has been writing professionally since 2016.Alicia's writing has been featured in Scholastic, Brighter Higher Ed, Popsugar, AARP, and Yahoo News. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
Connie Chen is a former senior reporter on the Insider Reviews team, where she led coverage of home textiles, home entertaining, and food and drink. While at Insider, she specialized in all the things that enhance life at home, from the most comfortable bed sheets and fluffy pillows to cool online wine clubs and bartender-approved co*cktail shakers. She combined rigorous testing methods, conversations with professionals, and active knowledge of the home and kitchen space to help readers get the most out of their money. When she's not changing duvet covers or washing towels twice a day for articles, she loves talking about and trying the newest snacks, drinks, andfood gifts. You can see more of her testing process and other behind-the-scenes of being a product journalist on her Instagram @connayreviews. Connie joined Insider Reviews as an early member in 2017 and has also reported on products and services in the style, tech, fitness, travel, and e-learning spaces, with a particular interest and expertise in emerging startups. She has represented the team at CES and moderated panels on media business and the future of retail. Connie graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in media studies and business administration, which help inform her perspective on and coverage of industry trends, as well as the competitive e-commerce landscape at large. Read some of her work: The 4 best co*cktail shakers in 2021 The 7 best women's bathrobes in 2021 The 5 best wine openers and corkscrews we tested in 2021 The 5 best bed sheets we tested in 2021 The 5 best cordless vacuums we tested in 2021 12 direct-to-consumer kitchen startups that are changing the way we shop for cookware and knives 8 tableware startups changing the way we shop for dishes Even chefs experience cooking burnout — here's how they get re-inspired in the kitchen How businesses create successful virtual experiences 50 cookbooks from famous restaurants across the US that will help you recreate their best dishes at home Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products.
Alexis Berry is a freelance content writer specializing in product reviews. Alexis has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has previously appeared in Allium, A Journal of Poetry and Prose, Hair Trigger, Punctuate. A Nonfiction Magazine, and Unpublished Magazine. She is a lover of fantasy fiction, a good hike in the woods, and, of course, writing. Say hi to Alexis at lexy.writes@outlook.com or through LinkedIn.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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