Finding awesome teachers gifts is easy if you’ve done your homework! Take these 21 DIY teacher gift ideas-they are guaranteed to bring joy to any teacher this holiday season!
How do I know?
Well, I sat down with five teachers and asked what they really want to see on their desks on special occasions like Christmas and Teacher Appreciation Day, and their responses may surprise you!
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Every year when Christmas rolls around I stress over teacher’s gifts.
If I’m looking at candles, I worry about the right scent, when I stare blankly at dozens of fabulous gift baskets of food and candy I stress about possible food allergies. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if I knew a few facts about the person that spends countless hours a day with my child so I could buy a thoughtful gift to show my gratitude?
It sure would.
So this year I have done things a little different to make life easier on all of us parents who want to treat our children’s teachers without causing a pumpkin spice induced migraine!
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 give your child’s teacher an opportunity to list all of the things he or she loves. Which of course will make for a much easier shopping experience for you and better gifting experience for your teacher. It’s free for you to print out & use now-no strings attached! Click HERE for the PDF:))
Next, I asked teachers to weigh in on the best & worst teacher’s gifts for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Day, or any occasion! (I should mention I have three children ranging from 7 to 18 years. I called on elementary, middle school, and high school teachers for help! And they will all remain nameless-just as I promised!:)
Here’s what I found.
Worst Teachers Gifts
- Candles: No. More. Please & Thank You! One teacher told me she has 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 filled with Candy: While it’s the thought that counts, nothing says I put zero thought into a gift like a pre-packed coffee mug full of nasty candy displayed prominently on every checkout aisle at Walmart.
- Jewelry: Unless you are keenly aware of your teacher’s style, don’t attempt to navigate this territory. One teacher explained:
“Receiving jewelry makes me feel awkward because I then feel obligated to wear it. Nine times out of 10 the piece is not my style, but I don’t want to hurt my student’s feelings.”
Best Teachers Gifts
- Thank You Note: Handwritten notes from students are always a hit & treasured for years.
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Homemade Treats & Desk Snacks
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Handmade Gifts & Original Artwork by Students
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Personalized Goodies: Bags, Cups, Notepads, Hand Towels
- School Supplies for the Classroom: Yes, they do love getting supplies for the classroom! (See below for cute ways to give the essentials!)
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Themed Gift Baskets
- Scents & Sprays: The trick to this one is knowing the teacher’s favorite (& least favorite) scents!
- Gift Cards: Always a favorite! Don’t shy away from the gift card thinking it is too impersonal! If you want to put a thoughtful spin on it, and present it uniquely see DIY Gift Ideas below!
- Class Gift: Instead of individual gifts, each child contributes a few dollars, usually $5, to go toward one large gift item or gift card for the teacher.
“One year my class took up a collection and bought me a color printer I had my eye on for classroom use. It was one of the best gifts ever!”
Armed with this newfound knowledge I took to my favorite source of gifting inspiration, Pinterest, and went on the hunt for the best DIY teacher gifts the least amount of money could buy. Y’all, I’ve covered all the bases! From homemade treats and mason jar gifts to adorably affordable school supply cakes and thoughtful ways to give a gift card I guarantee you’ll find something to inspire you in this collection of 21 DIY teacher gifts!
21 of The Best DIY Teacher Gift Ideas
Teachers Emergency Stash Gift
Image: Eighteen25
This box of goodies is a fabulous teacher’s gift that is budget friendly & comes with a free printable gift tag. Find all the details on Eighteen 25
Fun Christmas Gift Idea
Image: Fun-Squared
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
Image: Shaken Together Life
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
Image: A Pumpkin & A Princess via Lil Luna
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
Image: Lil Luna
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
Image: Happy Go Lucky
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
Image: A Pumpkin and A Princess
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
Image: The Crafting Chicks
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
Image: Mom 4 Real
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
Image: The Idea Room
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
Image: Creations by Kara
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
Image: Mama Cheaps
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
Image: Tilly’s Nest
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
Image: The First Grade Roundup
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
Image: Positively Splendid
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
Image: It’s Always Autumn
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
Image: MichellePaige
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
Image: Girl Loves Glam
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
Image: Something Turquoise
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
Image: The Country Chic Cottage
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
Image: Unskinny Boppy
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 hope you have found something fabulous to recognize all of the time, effort, and limitless patience of your child’s teacher! If you found a favorite, please let me know! Thanks for stopping by & I hope you drop back in soon!
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