Start the new school year off by sending in one of these 10+ Back To School Gifts For Teachers (that they actually want) for your child’s new teacher. They’ll be sure to appreciate it.
For more ideas, check out all of our gift guides.
It’s back to school season, which means you’re probably already doing your back to school shopping. Gotta pick up those pencils and notebooks and folders. While you’re doing that, you should pick up a back to school gift for your child’s teacher too.
If you want to buy something for your kids’ teachers, this great list of Back To School Gifts For Teachers will give you some really good ideas.
We split this back to school teacher gift ideas list into two sections: gifs you can buy (because, we know, that’s easier) and gifts you can make (if you’re feeling crafty).
If you’re looking for more shopping ideas, be sure to check out Drugstore Divas’ Holiday Gift Guide for all of our shopping guides.
10+ Back To School Gifts For Teachers (that they actually want)
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We talk about these gifts being the best teacher gifts for back to school because it’s back to school time now. But, these would work for Teacher Appreciation Week (the first full week in May), Christmas gifts, or end of the school year gifts too.
Gifts For Teachers You Can Buy
Personalized Teacher Pencil Holder
I’m in love with this Personalized Teacher Pencil Holder, so of course it had to kick off this list. It’s a huge pencil that doubles as a name sign, which is really nice. It’s large too, measuring just over 12-inches across, so it’s super eye catching.
It has three sections so your child’s teacher can easily store and separate extra school supplies. Plus, one of the sections can be used for hidden treats because some days, a teacher just needs a little bit of chocolate to make it through the afternoon.
Notebook Paper Teacher Sweatshirt
This Notebook Paper Teacher Sweatshirt is an amazing sweatshirt. It’s a cute design that can be personalized with the teacher’s name.
Now, this is a back to school gift that you’re probably going to give to your friend or family member who is a teacher, not your kid’s teacher. It’s actually super low priced (compared to plain sweatshirts, which are just so expensive right now), but it’s a “big” gift to give for the start of the school year.
Personalized Whiteboard Eraser With Expo Markers
Chalkboards are out and whiteboards are in the classroom. Which means teachers don’t need chalk; they need Expo markers. And sure, you can just give them a package and that’s fine. But, if you want something that looks more like a gift, this Personalized Whiteboard Eraser With Expo Markers is perfect.
The name can be printed in print or cursive. You get to choose. You don’t get to choose the color of the Expo markers, but don’t worry. The teacher will appreciate any colors, especially because teachers usually have to use their own money to buy classroom supplies.
If you wanted, you could also stick an Amazon gift card in the bag (which you’d have to buy separately) so the teacher can pick up some more markers when these eventually run out.
I’m A Teacher What’s Your Superpower Wine Glass
I’m not saying your child is the reason your child’s teacher may need wine. But. Your child’s teacher may need wine.
So this I’m A Teacher What’s Your Superpower Wine Glass is the perfect gift idea.
Teacher Survival Kit Cosmetics Bag
Some mornings are just crazy and hectic, no matter what job you have. You’re running out the door without enough time to even run a brush through your hair, let alone put on makeup.
So pick up this Teacher Survival Kit Cosmetics Bag for your child’s teacher. She can leave some makeup in it in her desk and on those crazy days, she’ll know she can still “put her face on.”
Personalized Acrylic Pencil Keychain
If you want a little gift to kick off the school year, this Personalized Acrylic Pencil Keychain is perfect. You can choose the color of the tassel that’s on the keychain (I thing a great idea is picking the school’s color so it’s more personalized).
This is perfect for a teacher’s keys, a hall pass he or she might have for the classroom, her tote bag, or more.
I Periodically Need Caffeine Tumbler
If you have a Chemistry teacher on your list (or even just a Science teacher), this I Periodically Need Caffeine travel mug is perfect.
The word “caffeine” is written using actual elements from the periodic table, but not the actual elements needed to make coffee.
My Favorite People Call Me Mrs. Shirt
What I love about this My Favorite People Call Me Mrs. Shirt is that it can be personalized to say your child’s teacher’s last name.
What’s even better is that when you’re submitting the personalization, you have to type in “Mrs.” so you can change that to “Miss,” “Ms.,” or even “Mr.”
Personalized Teacher Tumblers
These Personalized Teacher Tumblers are really cute and can be personalized in two ways: with the teacher’s name and with a design. You can choose from a pencil, apple, paint palette, whistle and ball, music note, and school bus. So if you’re buying this for a teacher with a specialty, that can go right on the tumbler.
If your child’s teacher uses it as a water bottle during the school day, it’s a nice way to ensure that she is getting enough water during the day (because really, she can’t be running down the hallway to the water fountain every time she needs a sip).
Back to School Plush Gnomes
Gnomes had a resurgence a couple years ago, proving to people that they’re not just for the garden. They’re for inside the home, on doormats, in displays, and in classrooms … in the case of these Back to School Plush Gnomes.
The handmade gnomes come as a pair, but of course, you can separate them if you need gifts for two teachers. Don’t worry. We won’t tell.
Gifts For Teachers You Can Make
These homemade gifts for teachers may not all be in-your-face teacher gifts (like the ones in the list above are), but they’re all ideas of things that you can make that teachers would love.
DIY No. 2 Pencil Mason Jar Pencil Holder
If you have a mason jar and a little paint, you can make this pencil holder that looks like a No. 2 pencil. It’s perfect for teachers to keep pencils, pens, and other writing utensils on their desk.
DIY Pasta Sauce Apple
Apples are a good teacher’s gift, but pasta sauce is better. So combine those two things to make this DIY Pasta Sauce Apple gift. We use Rita’s Wooden Spoon marinara sauce because the smaller jar is the perfect size for this craft (and because that’s Pete’s company), but you can use any pasta sauce you want.
Add a box of pasta with the sauce. It’s the perfect way to help the teacher make a really simple dinner after a long day of classes and meetings.
DIY Starbucks Coffee Cup Gift Card Holder
We have a lot of coffee gifts for teachers on this list (since we have established that teachers love coffee), so a coffee gift card would be a perfect thing for your children’s teachers.
But just putting a gift card in an envelope is a little boring. So dress up that coffee card with our fun and simple DIY using a Starbucks cup and paper shred.
Teacher Stationery
When Pete was still working in the school system, we actually made these stationery cards as a gift for the other teacher in his classroom. She loved that they were personalized and made specifically for her. Your child’s teacher will love that too.
If you have a nice printer at home, you can absolutely make this gift at home. If not, you can design them and get them printed at a store like Office Max to save your ink. Either way, these are a really useful gift for a classroom teacher.
Manicure Gift Bag
Everyone needs a little self-care, and manicures are a great way to do that. But most teachers don’t want to sit in a salon filled with chatter after a long day of school. So, a great gift idea for a female teacher is this fun manicure gift bag. That way, she can have self-care at home (in silence, if she chooses).
This is an especially good gift if you’re a couponer because you probably have everything you need for this gift in your stockpile.
Broquet
This broquet — aka a bouquet for bros — is a really fun teacher gift for any male teachers. It’s a coffee mug filled with candy and snacks. Once the snacks are done, the teacher can still use the mug.
This can be a really inexpensive back to school gift if you pick up the snacks while they’re on sale.
But First, Coffee Mug
With a little hard work, you can make this But First, Coffee mug instead of buying a coffee mug for a teacher.
The post comes with a free printable template for the popular “But First, Coffee” saying. But, if you have steady hands, you can write anything you want on the mug, like “Coffee, Teach, Repeat” so it’s more fitting for a teacher.
Candy Puns Gift
Teachers, especially ones with a sweet tooth, will love this candy puns gift. And you’ll love how easy this gift is to put together. You just buy the candy, have your kids write out the gift tags, and then tie them to the boxes.
This was originally a birthday gift idea, but you can easily modify the candy puns for teachers. For the SweeTarts, just change the tag from “Hope you have a SWEET birthday” to “Hope you have a SWEET School Year.” Easy.
Purchase Teacher’s Gifts Online:
This is the list of the best gifts for teachers, according to us. But, these aren’t all of the gifts out there. There are other great welcome back gifts for teachers that didn’t make our list, like the Personalized Desktop Teacher Apple Sign above.
For more back to school gift ideas, check out the stores below:
Be sure to check each store’s minimum cart total to qualify for free shipping. Also, consider in store or curbside pickup to avoid shipping costs.
Which of these 10+ best back to school gifts for teachers are your favorite? Be sure to let us know in the comments.