In short:
- the best Christmas gifts for teachers are things they use every day or use up: good pens, a notepad for the desk, note cards, coffee;
- most families spend $10 to $25, and the handwritten note matters more than the price;
- a floral notepad with a set of slim pens is a teacher gift under $20 that gets used all spring.
Below: ideas by budget, class gifts, and what to write in the card.
Ask a teacher about Christmas gifts and you'll hear the same thing: they have enough mugs. The Christmas gifts for teachers that get remembered are the ones that land on the desk and get used every day until June, and the ones that come with a note from the student. Here are ideas that get used, sorted by budget, plus class gifts and the wording for the card.
One note first: check your school's gift policy. Some districts set a limit, and a few ask families to give only cards or class gifts.
Teacher gifts they'll use every day
A notepad for the desk
Teachers write lists all day: supplies to order, kids to check in with, the parent to call back. A good notepad on the desk is used daily, and a pretty one gets noticed. Our pick is the Sunflower Notepad in the 5 x 8 in. lined size, 100 sheets with a watercolor sunflower bouquet in the corner. The Cherry Blossom Notepad is the same size in blush and pink, for a softer look.
Pens that write well
Teachers lose pens at a rate no one else can match. Our slim ballpoint pens come three to a set in white, gold, silver or rose gold, with replaceable black ink, so one can stay in the desk drawer and two can go missing.
Note cards for their own thank-yous
Teachers write thank-you notes too: to room parents, volunteers and families who sent in supplies. A box of Gold Foil Bee Note Cards, 50 cards with a fine gold border, saves them a trip to the store.
Something to use up
Coffee, tea, good hand lotion for winter, or a gift card to the coffee shop near school. Gifts that get used up don't add to the clutter.
Teacher gift ideas by budget
| Budget | Idea |
|---|---|
| Under $10 | A set of slim pens and a handwritten card, or a chocolate bar with a custom wrapper and the child's name |
| $10 to $20 | A floral notepad and pens, tied together with ribbon |
| $20 to $30 | Notepad, pens and a box of note cards: a small desk set |
| Class gift | A pooled gift card plus a note from every child, collected in one box |
Gifts for the rest of the school
Don't forget the people who keep the building running: the front office, the school nurse, the librarian, the bus driver, the aides and specialists. A set of pens with a card, or a small notepad, is an easy way to include them without a large budget. Buying several of one gift keeps it simple.
Class gifts from the whole room
- Collect $5 to $10 per family, so every family can join.
- Buy one larger gift: a gift card to a bookstore or a teacher supply store, or a desk set.
- Add a note from every child. Hand out one note card per student a week before break and collect them in a box. It's the part of the gift the teacher keeps.
What to write in a Christmas card to a teacher
Specific beats long. Name one thing the teacher did and what it meant to your child:
- "Thank you for making reading time Leo's favorite part of the day. Enjoy a well-earned break."
- "Maya came home talking about the solar system every night this fall. Thank you for making science fun. Merry Christmas."
- "Thank you for your patience with the morning drop-off tears. He runs in now. Have a restful holiday."
Have your child add a line or a drawing. For more wording, see how to write a thank you note.
Wrapping it up
A notepad, two pens and the card tied with a ribbon looks like a gift without a box. For a desk set, stack the notepad and note cards, lay the pens on top and tie it all together.
The recommendation, once more: give teachers something they'll use every day, with a note from your child. A floral notepad and a set of slim pens comes in under $20, and a box of gold foil note cards makes it a desk set.
