They deserve it!
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As much as we believe that Teacher Appreciation Day should happen every day of the year, we’re not there yet, so for now, we celebrate on May 6. These gifts for teachers are one of the easiest ways to let them know how much you appreciate them—whether you’re the student or the parent of a student. No matter who is handing them the wrapped present, the teacher will certainly love it.
In fact, we only picked goodies that they’ll actually use, including not one but two types of phone chargers, a monogrammed pebble leather pencil case, and a set of three notebooks. Otherwise, go for something a bit more cheeky, like a novelty pen in the shape of a hotdog. If you can’t decide which direction to take, go for both!
The great thing about gifts for teachers is that they’re not meant to be luxurious and expensive. If you spend a ton of money on a teacher, they may think you’re trying to buy good grades, which is a big no-no. These gifts, most of which are under $50, are just a token of your admiration and respect. We even took a few modern approaches to the classic gifts, such as a fun play on the shiny red apple and a chalkboard for the most stylish foyers. Don’t wait too long to snag these gifts, though! Teacher Appreciation Day is only two days away! Rest assured, plenty of our top contenders are from Amazon, so you can order something today and get it in the mail just in time.
A porcelain room diffuser in the shape of a miniature succulent? Yes, please. Here's how it works: There is oil in the vessel that gets wicked up into the succulent piece, which then diffuses fragrance into the room. This is as much a gift for the students as it is for the teacher because it makes the whole classroom smell divine.
We'd consider this a more elevated and practical approach to leaving a shiny red apple on the teacher's desk. If they like to bake, we can almost guarantee that this will become their new favorite kitchen essential. Plus, it's Le Creuset, and it doesn't get more luxurious than that.
Another House Beautiful take on the classic chalkboard is this much more visually appealing option they can bring home. Our suggestion? Hang it by the front door to jot down and little reminders or greetings. Go the extra mile and score them some chalk so they don't have to steal it from school.
Be honest, does anyone have more stuff than a teacher? Everyday, they're carting lunch, laptops, homework, props, markers, and a whole slew of other essentials, so let's make the lug a bit easier on them with a carry-all tote that can withstand everything—even weather.
Teachers lead multiple classes per day, so help keep them organized with a set of three beautifully decorated notebooks that all boast a different colored cover, so they won't accidentally confuse them. Personally, we're loving the garden party theme, but you can opt for any of the other five patterns, including cities and other floral alternatives.
With intense air conditioning in the warmer months and equally strong heat in the colder ones, classrooms can feel really dry. This miniature humidifier, which is about the size of a tumbler, will keep nosebleeds, sinus infections, and tight, flaky skin at bay.
Another way to help teachers keep track of all the meetings, office hours, and conferences is with a daily planner. This one from Papier is one of our favorites because it includes a mind map page, pages for setting and reflecting on goals, a 16-week-view, and lined pages for extra notes.
On a good day, teachers have about an hour to themselves, so help them make it count by letting them play on their fully charged phones. This chic and sleek charing station not only works for your phone, but for your AirPods too! It's also small enough to fit on the corner of a desk (or in a drawer if they want to hide it).
Sometimes it takes the school a long time to finally turn on the heat, so if you live in an area where winter starts early, get your favorite teacher a portable and compact ceramic space heater. We'd suggest placing it on the floor because the hot air will travel upwards, warming their entire body.
"I am candle-obsessed, so I have quite a few, but this is the one I always come back to," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. The Mokara scent, a fan-favorite, smells of orchid, white lily, and spring moss. It's basically spring in a jar.
Remember gel pens? They arrived on the scene in a big way during the naughties, and luckily for everyone who used them regularly, they're back! They're also better than ever, we'd say. Our favorite set? This floral one from Rifle Paper Co., a brand that knows good school supplies.
Teachers have a lot to keep track of, so staying organized is hard. Make it a little easier with this minimalistic and sleek set from Pottery barn, which includes three different size canisters (in a glossy white) and a matching tray. Their desk will never look better.
Headphones are a must-have for anyone with a commute, but especially so for teachers, who spend at least eight hours a day wrangling a classroom of children. Headphones are necessary to get them prepared for the day and decompress once it's done. Trust us; just get them.
This coffee isn't just coffee. It's an invigorating way to get and stay awake because it's paired with chocolate specifically designed to enhance the coffee. This set comes with four of each, so it will at least get the teachers through the first semester.
Succulents are almost too easy to keep alive—especially the small ones because they require even less water than the regular size ones. In fact, you can probably get away with popping an ice cube in each of these planters once a month (or even less frequently).
What's better than a cube of Sugarfina's best-selling gummies? Four cubes! The Champagne bears don't actually have any bubbles in them, but the subtle and crisp flavor is inspired by our favorite bottles. We will say, these require some serious self-control.
It's our personal opinion that everyone appreciates a cheeky and kitschy gift. Luckily, there are a lot of options for teachers, but this hotdog-shaped pen is our favorite. It's not exactly easy to write with, but it's perfect for marking a check or an "x" next to multiple choice-based exams.
If there is one person who understands the lost art of letter-writing, it's a teacher. The only issue is that teachers will rarely spend their hard-earned money on custom cards and envelops. That's where we, appreciative students and parents, come in. Papier offers hundreds of customizable designs, but we're partial to the "Into the Woods" style.
Perfume is hard to gift because it's such a big and personal decision to make for another person, but hair perfume, on the other hand, is a totally different situation. Because it's in their hair, versus on their skin, it is a bit more subtle. Plus, this one is honey-infused, so it will make their hair a bit softer than usual.
Another kitschy gift we couldn't help but include is this keychain in the shape of stacked classic page-turners, including Wuthering Heights and Pride & Prejudice. It's useful and cute, two things teachers tend to love.
Brittney Morgan is a noted land mermaid and a Virgo with a penchant for crafts, red lipstick, and buying way too many throw pillows. Her work has also been published at Apartment Therapy, NYLON, HuffPost, Hello Giggles, Elite Daily, and more.
Medgina Saint-Elien covers everything your home needs. She writes about exciting new product launches, hands-on reviews, and the "lightbulb" moments in every maker's story. In overseeing key HB editorial franchises, including the Live Better Awards, Saint-Elien champions the work of BIPOC entrepreneurs in the design and beauty industries. In addition to House Beautiful, her work has been published in Byrdie, Snapchat, and more. Outside of work, the writer and poet can be found documenting her travels on social media and saving memes for future use.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s Associate Shopping Editor, a role she’s honed since joining the editorial team in September 2022. Since then, she’s been testing and reviewing viral products, carefully curating timely gift guides, and tapping her vast network of interior designers to weigh in on decorating debates that often have the Internet divided. Though most of her day-to-day is product-focused, every now and then, she manages to publish a few home tours, which are the types of features she has written over the course of her eight-year career and in previous roles at 1stDibs and Architectural Digest. In her current role as a shopping editor, Jess has mastered the art of swapping decor in and out of her own New York City apartment to fulfill her seemingly never-ending quest for the perfectly styled space.
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