Show your teacher appreciation with one of these thoughtful DIY teacher gifts! These teacher gift ideas are perfect for any occasion: Christmas, the end of the year, back-to-school, Teacher Appreciation Day, or birthdays! Show your gratitude with one of these personalized DIY teacher gift ideas with printable tags—plus a free printable wish list so you can give your teacher the perfect gift every time.
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No doubt about it, teachers deserve mad props – but gift-giving can get crazy expensive, especially if you have more than one kid & it gets super insane if you’re in a class full of Pinterest-y moms that make gift-giving a competition.
So what do you do when you’re not Martha Stewart and you don’t want to spend a lot of cash? Well, first, let’s check ourselves out of the Mom Competition—trust me, I’ve got 18 years in on this mom thing, and you can’t win, so don’t try.
But if you want to express your tremendous gratitude to deserving teachers, I’ve rounded up some super easy DIY teacher gift ideas your kids can help with – all teacher-approved.
Boom. Let’s do this!
First, I created this Favorite Things Printable to give to teachers in advance. This is the hack that will guarantee you give the perfect gift every single time!
Knowledge is power. This printable will allow your child’s teacher to list all the things they love, making for a more effortless shopping experience for you and a better gifting experience for your teacher. It’s free for you to print out and use now.
21 of The Best DIY Teacher Gift Ideas
Teachers Emergency Stash Gift
This box of goodies is a fabulous, budget-friendly teacher’s gift that comes with a free printable gift tag. Find all the details on Eighteen 25.
Fun Christmas Gift Idea
Get the cutest bottle of lotion you can find in your teacher’s favorite scent & add this gift tag! Fabulous, simple, easy, & cheap! Get the adorable gift tag on Fun-Squared
White Christmas Teacher Gift
Looking for a jaw-dropping, all-in, super fly, fabulous teacher’s gift? How about this White Christmas themed basket? Full of sweet treats, goodies, and supplies this is one gift your teacher will not forget! Get all of the inspiration & details on Shaken Together
Pedi in a Jar Gift
Make sure your teacher takes time for herself by giving this DIY Mason Jar gift filled with nail polish, lotion, a mini nail file, a pair of cozy socks, and Hershey’s Kisses! You can find all the details & the free printable gift tag on Lil Luna
Cupcake Gift Jar
Here’s a project that’s easy, inexpensive, and multi-tasking! The cupcake gift jar doubles as a Christmas candy jar & your teacher can use it later to hold various supplies like paper clips, thumbtacks, erasers, etc.! Get the details & the free printable gift tag on Lil Luna
School Supply Cake
Feeling a little odd about giving supplies? Here’s a cute way to give all the essentials! Get the details on Happy Go Lucky
Chalkboard Crayon Wreath
This clever DIY uses an unfinished wood wreath like this one decorated with just over 3 boxes of crayons surrounding a chalkboard! Find all the details on A Pumpkin and A Princess
RedBox Teacher’s Gift
Give the gift of a RedBox code (which you can easily buy online) & add your teacher’s favorite snacks & candy! Put it all together in a galvanized steel bucket or large mason jar! Easy! Grab the free printable tag on The Crafting Chicks
Peppermint Sugar Scrub
If you’re thinking of going the self-care route, try making this Peppermint Sugar Scrub! It’s an easy DIY, and it makes skin feel and smell fabulous! Bonus: Adorable Free Peppermint Sugar Scrub Gift Tags! Get the details on Mom 4 Real
EOS Christmas Gift
You can take this cute EOS chapstick gift idea a step further by adding a gift card or movie pass, but any teacher will love it on its own! Get the free printable on The Idea Room
Dry Erase Marker Teacher’s Gift
Make ordinary dry erase markers adorable with this cute & budget-friendly gift idea! Get the free printable tag on Creations by Kara
Popcorn Themed Gift
Simple & Easy! Add a gift card to up the value of this teacher’s gift if you’d like. Get the free printable gift tag on Mama Cheaps
Apple Mason Jar Teacher’s Gift
Add a little bit of paint to a mason jar, and you’ve got a fabulous gift that your teacher can put to good use! Add pencils, pens, rulers, flowers, or candy! Get the details on Tilly’s Nest
DIY Plant Gift
Cute, easy, and super affordable DIY teacher’s gift! Get the 411 & the printable tags on The First Grade Round Up
Sweet Year Teacher’s Gift
A super sweet gift idea for teachers! This idea features delicious & easy homemade bread in mini disposable loaf tins-with a napkin and fork so they can dig in! Get the details & the free printable gift tag from Amy on Positively Splendid
Easy Christmas Tic Tacs
Dress up a box of tic tacs to make a useful & inexpensive Christmas gift! This craft utilizes a Silhouette, but it can be done by hand if you get all crafty with it! Get the 411 on It’s Always Autumn
Easy DIY Teacher’s Gift
Using the info you got from the My Favorite Things printable & grab a bottle of your teacher’s favorite scented lotion, soap, or hand sanitizer. Add this super cute gift tag & boom! One more teacher’s gift is off your list! Get the ‘Scent’Sational Gift Tag on MichellePaige
Recess Revival Gift
Grab a basket, tissue paper, ribbon, & a bunch of energizing snacks & favorite drinks! Get the super cute gift tag & more details on Girl Loves Glam
Mason Jar Gift Card Holder
The most fabulous way to give a gift card & a candy treat using two different sized quilted crystal jelly jars & a little decorative foil tape! Grab all the details on Something Turquoise
Dr. Seuss Gift in a Jar
For the teacher who loves Dr. Seuss-which is every teacher-this gift in a mason jar rules! Find out how to Seuss it up on The Country Chic Cottage
Easy Essential Oil Gift
A spa bath in a cup! This unique idea using a Starbucks cup is brilliant! Find out how to do it on Unskinny Boppy
I asked a few of my friends who are in the classroom trenches, and here’s what they had to say when asked about their best and worst gift experiences.
First up – the worst.
Worst DIY Teacher Gift Ideas
- Candles: No. More. Please & Thank You! One teacher explained she had so many unused candles she could hold a seance. Daily. For a Year.
- Cash: While gift cards are a solid favorite, cold, hard cash comes off more like a bribe.
- #1 Teacher Mugs with Candy: While the thought counts, nothing says I put zero effort into this gift like a pre-packed coffee mug full of nasty candy displayed prominently on every checkout aisle at Walmart.
- Jewelry: You must be keenly aware of your teacher’s style to attempt to navigate this territory.
Here’s what they told me about their all-time favorite gifts.
Best DIY Teacher Gift Ideas
- Thank You Note: Handwritten notes from students are always a hit and are treasured for years.
- Homemade Treats & Desk Snacks
- Handmade Gifts & Original Artwork by Students
- Personalized Goodies: Bags, Cups, Notepads, Hand Towels
- School Supplies for the Classroom: Yes, they do love getting supplies for the classroom!
- Themed Gift Baskets
- Scents & Sprays: This trick is knowing the teacher’s favorite (and least favorite) scents!
- Gift Cards: Always a favorite! Please don’t shy away from the gift card, thinking it is too impersonal! If you want to put a thoughtful spin on it, add it to a basket!
- Class Gift: Instead of individual gifts, each child contributes a few dollars, usually $5, toward one large gift item or gift card for the teacher.
I hope you have found a few ideas and a lot of inspiration to show the teachers in your life the love and gratitude they deserve. While you’re here, check out these ideas.
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If you loved this collection of DIY teacher gift ideas, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest!
