The Ultimate Holiday Teacher Gift Guide: 17 Unique Ideas They’ll Love!

From hosting classroom parties to organizing unique craft projects, your teachers go above and beyond to make sure the holiday season is extra magical for your students! This year, why not find some ways to bring a little extra cheer to their holiday too?! Whether you’re looking for a creative present, a thoughtful experience, or a kind gesture, we’ve got you covered with the ultimate teacher gift guide! Read on for our list of the 17 best ways to show your gratitude this holiday season. 

Plus—learn more about how you can enter a holiday giveaway for a chance to win $1500 to thank the teachers at your school in a BIG way!  

In this blog: 

• The perfect group gifts for your teacher.
• Gift cards that your teacher will love. 
• Personal gifts that show your appreciation. 
• Enter for your chance to win $1500 to thank the teachers at your school! 

Gifts to Give as Class or Group 

These teacher gift ideas work well as group gifts, where each student can contribute something small to create a big, heartfelt gesture for your teachers.

1. Create a Memory Book from students. Gather notes, drawings, or photos from each student and compile them into a memory book. Include special moments, inside jokes, or things they appreciate about their teacher. This is a gift they’ll treasure for years to come!

Pro Tip: Use an online company like Shutterfly or Canva to design and organize your book and give it a professional look. 

2. Give your teachers the gift of a must needed break! Ask parents to volunteer to come into the classroom and do a fun activity with students so your teacher can have a quick break to catch up on responsibilities or just have a moment to relax.

Pro Tip: Use a shared Google doc or SignupGenius to organize your efforts. You can ask parents to give their time or donate supplies for the activities you plan to do. 

3. Offer massages in your teacher lounge. The holiday season is a stressful time for teachers! Gather donations from the entire school to bring in a masseuse for the day to offer your teachers a well deserved moment of zen!

Pro Tip: Because this requires involvement from your whole school, it may be helpful to reach out to your PTA/PTO leaders to help coordinate. 

4. Organize a holiday breakfast or lunch. You can never go wrong bringing in a delicious meal for hardworking teachers. You can do this for your entire school or keep it smaller and bring in coffee and bagels or sandwiches for the teachers and aides that work in your student’s classroom. 

Pro Tip: Ask your students if their teachers have any favorite foods, drinks, or snacks that you can include. 

5. Sweeten up the holidays with a cookie swap. Ask parents to each bake a certain amount of cookies and then invite teachers to “shop” your swap and fill up a box with their favorites. 

Pro Tip: Using a shared signup sheet will ensure you get a good variety of cookies and don’t end up with lots of repeats! 

6. Host a gift wrapping service. Take a big holiday stresser off your teachers’ plates and set up a time where they can bring in gifts they have purchased and get them wrapped by volunteers. 

Pro Tip: Collect donations and hit up a big box store to buy your supplies in bulk.

Gift Cards Teachers Love!

Gift cards are practical and flexible, making them a popular choice among teachers. From shopping to meals to experiences, there are many ways you can give your teachers a gift card that feels thoughtful and personal. 

7. Purchase a gift card to a popular retailer. Target, Amazon, or Walmart are all great choices that allow teachers to pick up whatever they need for themselves or their classrooms.

Pro Tip: Take into consideration what stores are accessible to shop in person and online so your teacher can easily enjoy your gift. 

8.  Give the gift of an experience. The upcoming holiday break means your teachers will have some extra time to spend with friends and family. That’s why a gift card to a local space like a bowling alley or movie theater is the perfect teacher gift! 

Pro Tip: Not everyone enjoys the same activities, so it is important to get to know your teacher in order to purchase the right type of experience. 

9. Arrange a “bouquet” of local gift cards. Think of local places your teacher may frequently visit during the work week and create a fun arrangement.

Pro Tip: These gift cards can be smaller denominations so you can have a bunch without breaking the bank. Think $5 to a local coffee shop, $10 to a sandwich shop, etc. 

10. Make dinner on you! Buy gift cards to a food delivery service like Uber Eats or DoorDash to give your teachers a break from the kitchen during an extra busy time of year.  

Pro Tip: Do a little research around where your teacher lives to make sure the delivery service you choose has a good variety of restaurant options in their area. 

Thoughtful Gifts 

From practical to personal, these gifts are the perfect way to show your teachers how much you appreciate all that they have done.

11. Restock classroom supplies. Pick up always needed essentials like dry-erase markers, colorful pens, sticky notes, and hand sanitizer. Many times teachers end up purchasing supplies like this out of their own pockets, so this is much appreciated teacher gift.

Pro Tip: Some teachers keep a running wishlist so you can see what they are currently in need of. There are also sometimes more unique items on their list that can be a perfect holiday gift. 

12. Create a personalized water bottle or travel mug. A custom water bottle or travel mug featuring their name or a teaching-related quote is a great way to keep them hydrated (or caffeinated) during the day.

Pro Tip: Pair the bottle or mug with a small gift card to a coffee shop or cafe, so your teacher can fill it up with their favorite drink!

13. Write a personal note. Never underestimate just how powerful taking the time to simply write a note that expresses your gratitude for all that your teacher does is. 

Pro Tip: Encourage your student to add their own note or drawing to make it even more special.

14. Make a self-care basket. You can include items like cozy socks, a calming candle, a face mask, and more. Your teacher will appreciate the chance to relax over the break.

Pro Tip: Consider adding an “unplug” element, like a small journal, a novel, or a favorite playlist suggestion, to help them take a true break from work.

15. Order spirit wear. Teachers love to represent the school they work for with fun swag! And not only will you be scoring a great gift, but your purchase will also support your school. 

Pro Tip:  Check with your school store or parent association to see if they are offering any exclusive designs or limited-edition items that will guarantee your teacher does not   already have the item. 

16. Brighten their space with a small plant.  A small indoor plant, like a succulent or peace lily, can add a touch of nature to your teacher’s classroom or home. 

Pro Tip:  Let your student decorate the pot with paints, markers, or stickers to add a personal touch to this gift. It’s a creative and fun project that also makes the plant extra special!

17. Give your teacher a stylish tote bag. Teachers are always carrying things back and forth, so a fun and sturdy bag is the perfect teacher gift! Look for one with plenty of pockets to help them stay organized and on-trend.

Pro Tip: Personalize the bag with a monogram of their initials or name. It adds a thoughtful touch and makes the bag truly theirs. 

A Gift for Those that Make School Merry and Bright!

This holiday season, show your teachers how much they mean to you with a teacher gift that’s thoughtful, useful, and heartfelt. And for a chance to keep spreading that cheer and gratitude for your teachers beyond the holiday season, enter Booster’s giveaway to to win $1500 to celebrate your school’s teachers!