30+ Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas they’ll actually love (no mugs!)

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Let's celebrate the people who have spent the whole year educating your little ones.
By Sara Goldstein and Courtney Thompson Updated Apr. 22, 2026
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Here’s a fact: Being a teacher is NOT an easy job. The days are long and the little personalities are strong, and yet these kind and patient professionals make magic happen every single day. I mean, it’s even more impressive that they teach, care for and inspire students and manage to do it with a smile. (And not end each day looking like they just got shot out of a cannon. Speaking from experience here.)
Related: 5 ways parents can partner with teachers throughout the school year
Because of that, it’s only appropriate that we show them our utmost appreciation. And because we know these hardworking profs have more than their share of mugs and artwork from your special humans, we’ve curated a list of thoughtful teacher appreciation gifts that we know they would be completely touched (and grateful!) to receive. We also know that “buy teacher gifts” is one more potentially stressful thing to add to your to-do list.
We’re here to help! Below we give you the best outside-the-box gifts for teachers in you and your child’s life, ranging from pampering sleeping masks to pretty artwork, personalized tote bags to Starbucks gift cards (or better yet, a local coffee shop). You know, items they actually want and will actually use. (And can teachers get a raise while we’re at it?)
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our holiday gift guides!
Here are the best teacher gifts to consider

$10
Many teachers spend their hard-earned money on classroom resources year after year. An awesome way to help offset those costs and show appreciation is with a Scholastic eGift card. Through the Scholastic Teacher Store they can purchase everything from books to classroom charts that will be enjoyed by students for years to come. Choose any amount or pull in other parents to contribute!

$70
Inspired by the selfless acts of teachers, Dearfoam launched a limited-edition Kindness Wins version of their ultra-cozy Sydney Slipper. Each pair of the suede and shearling slides features a one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn “Kindness Wins” design by Boston, MA artist Nicole Bless. Warm feet, warm hearts, can’t lose.

$14.95
Every teacher needs a place to jot things down–and the stylish Field Notes notebooks are a personal favorite. There are always a ton of fun collections to choose from, but the limited edition “Flora” collection feels like the cheery optimism every teacher has at the end of the school year. Each of the three pocket-sized notebooks features a vibrant, colorful cover designed by Chicago muralist Emmy Star Brown and a distinct page style including one ruled, one dot graph and one plain.

$48
Only healthcare professionals scrub up more than teachers. Give their parched hands a little pampering with our favorite splurgey hand cream from True Botanicals. It’s packed with Chebula–one of the brands hero antioxidants that has transformed my face–as well as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which all contribute to smoothing, nourishing and reducing signs of aging. It’s skincare for your hands basically. Also, it’s super silky, not overly greasy and smells absolutely incredible. Honestly, just buy one of these for every mom on your list including yourself.

$44
Whether they’ve got a regular meditation practice or simply need a between class pick-me-up, this portable trio of stress relievers can make the most of those moments. There’s the Stress Release Oil Blend Roll On which can be applied to the neck, forehead and shoulders or added to a bath or bowl of steaming water to help bring a sense of calm and relaxation, a Stress Relief Inhaler, and a Relax-O-Ring to massage the fingers for a soothing, effective reset. (Seriously, it feels amazing.) And to make it even more giftable, it comes conveniently packaged in a stylish case to keep them safe and organized.

$38
Teachers have to carry SO many binders, books, papers and more to and from their car daily, so give them a fun (and thoughtful!) tote to transport it all. We love the durable Snap Totes from Minted which come in a ton of gorgeous prints designed by independent artists. Personalize it with a foil pressed Italian leather tag to make it even more special!

$7
Encourage them to fit in a much-needed relaxation session after a long day of trying to tame your kiddos. The handmade, all natural Twilight bath bombs from Lush are the best of the best and an extra-special treat for mind and muscles. (Seriously, we’ve tested tons and always come back to this one.) The scent–a Lush best-seller–is a dreamy mix of lavender, ylang ylang, and tonka which is perfect for a bedtime bath unwind and it leaves skin silky soft.

$13
The only people on the planet who might need a daily dose of coffee more than moms is teachers. Hook them up with a bag from the impossibly rad roasters at Santa Cruz-based Verve. Not only is their Streetlevel blend a coffee snob fave, their entire operation was named Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine.

$18
Alternatively, for the latte lovers! Copper Cow Coffee brings barista-level treats right to their desk drawer with their innovative pour-overs. On a mission to sustainably support and share the vibrant heritage of Vietnamese coffee, Copper Cow’s vanilla latte set includes their real vanilla bean-infused coffee sachets along with individual sweetened condensed milk creamer that creates the perfect drink every time. They’re also ideal for an afternoon pick-me-up since all you need is hot water!

$40
Here’s a fact: You can never go wrong with a Starbucks gift card. Given that they’re pretty much on every street corner in America, we’re confident your teacher will find a time to use it. This four-pack means you can also dole out thank-yous to crossing guards and the school librarian, too. Buy a bundle to save!

$50
A little bit of bougie pampering goes a long way. The washable silk eye masks from Lunya are the perfect intersection of practical and thoughtful. (Or check out some of our other favorite sleeping masks!)

$23.99
Yes, we know what we said about mugs, but this is different. Also, no one needs another complicated, oversized water bottle. HOWEVER, we love the minimalist but hyper-functional Created Co. Cold Cups so much that we have to add them to the list. They’ve become my round-the-clock vessel of choice for everything from smoothies to wine walks (don’t judge me, they come in smaller sizes!) and keep drinks cold like a champ. The top never gets grimy, it’s survived several drops with no dings and it fits in every car holder. Basically, it’s beverage delivery perfection at school, home and anywhere in between. They come in a ton of great colors but we’re really loving this Lisa Congdon collab!

$39.95
We all know that teachers in every state use their own funds to buy classroom supplies. It’s a reality no one likes, but a reality nonetheless. So one of the best thing we can do to support teachers is to help them financially by gifting them a subscription to a service like Cratejoy. This bundle for kindergarteners comes with classroom supplies like books and activities along with a teacher gift. And check out Cratejoy for boxes for other grade levels as well!
A version of this post was published June 3, 2021. It has been updated.


































































































