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

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!

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.

Want to get a gift that will make the kids in their class jealous? Look no further than this ridiculously adorable pencil pouch, which can be tossed in a bag or stood up on a desk.

Encourage them to get the heck out of town with this beloved duffle bag from CALPAK. It comes in three colors and is ideal for a weekend trip away ... literally anywhere far from the classroom.

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.

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?

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

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

Teachers take notes — a lot of notes. Make their lives easier with this handy notepad!

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.

On a scale of one to 10, how hard would it be to get their shoe size? Our experts determined Birdies The Starling flats are the most comfortable shoes for standing all day, and boy, are they cute! Black velvet is one of the brand's core fabrics, but there are several other colors and finishes that would suit any teacher with tired feet.

"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.

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.

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

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.

Teachers love a catered lunch — this came up over and over on Reddit. I'm using Olive Garden here because there's a good chance there's a franchise location within five miles of your school, but really any local place with an A-grade from the state health department will do. Just make sure they know it's coming, so they don't take the time to pack their own lunch that day.