If you have a loved one who is a teacher, then you most-likely understand how unbalanced and overwhelming their day-to-day life can get during the school year. When thinking about what to gift them for the holidays, it is important to think about practicality and with the little details in mind. Side note, if you are thinking deeply about what to gift anyone, teacher or not, you are so thoughtful and have a big heart!
From a teacher, it means a lot to me when I can find “life hacks” to balance my daily life so that I have less decisions to make beyond the classroom or can focus on my own physical and mental health more. I have curated a list of teacher gifts that I know from my own experience have helped or would help me live a more balance life as a teacher, so hopefully they would help the teacher in your life too!
Click the photos to be taken directly to the Amazon link!
#1 Standing Mobile Desk
Teachers are often juggling many documents and internet tabs at once all while having to monitor student behavior. A mobile desk is the life-hack that solves this dilemma! Having a mobile desk that can hold a laptop and or papers is like having a third arm for a teacher. I was gifted this desk from a student’s family and use it daily! Here is the link to another option that has a larger desk surface but no storage cabinet.
#2 Aromatherapy Diffuser
In my classroom there are two aromatherapy diffusers, so I am definitely a believer in the power of aromatherapy! The two scents I use most often in my classroom are peppermint (for focus) and lavender for (calmness). Aromatherapy is something that serves me and the students throughout the day by changing the tone of the room. Children can also be stinky, so it helps with that too! I was gifted this diffuser and love how easy to use it is.
#3 Stanley 40oz Cup
Yes, I know, the incredibly hyped-up Stanley. I have tried the hydroflask, hydrojug, owala, and the Stanely, and while they all have their pros I have found myself reaquainted with the 40oz tumbler for a few reasons. The first is that I can fill it up before I leave for school and have my goal be to finish it by the end of the school day. That way I know I am half-way to my daily goal by the time the kids leave and I didn’t have to refill the tumbler once. The next reason I like it is because it fits in the cupholder in my car. It doesn’t fit in my backpack pocket, but the car cupholder means more to me. The last reason I like it is the handle. I love being able to hold onto it. Oh and I do like the straw, but don’t forget to wash it and change out the straws!
#4 Comfortable Shoes
Teaching, especially elementary, requires you to be on your feet for most of the day. Dr. Scholl’s offers a stylish solution for comfortability and practicality. I wear these multiple times a week.
#5 Backpack
The teacher in your life may be in the market for a new backpack but has put off purchasing one for themselves. There are many great options out there, but I like this one from Amazon because of it’s stylish design and multiple compartments. Not to mention it is super affordable and comes in many colors!
#6 Meal Service Subscription
To help the teacher in your life live a more balanced life, try gifting them a week of prepared meals from a healthy source like Factor. I like Factor because you can choose meals based on diet preferences and the meals are already prepared unlike HelloFresh which requires you to do the cooking. Decision fatigue is a real thing for teachers. This means that teachers spend all day making so many micro decisions for others that when it is time to decide on a dinner plan they often just don’t have it in them and sometimes resort to drive-through or spend time cooking instead of resting. Pro tip: ask your loved one when their busiest time of year is and schedule for the meals to be sent during that week (for example, state testing, end of grading periods, last week of school, competition season, etc.)
#7 Massage or Spa Service
Personally, I would love to be able to splurge on a massage or facial each month, but I simply cannot afford it on my teacher salary. Treat your loved one to the stress-relief they deserve with a gift card to a spa or massage service. Groupon usually has great deals for these!
#8 Tote Bag
If the teacher in your life seems more like a tote bag person than a backpack person, then this basic tote bag would be a great addition to their closet! Teachers carry many things such as planners, laptops, stationary and pens, so having a designated bag is important. This bag from Amazon is an affordable option that comes in many colors. I have seen many great reviews for this bag on TikTok.
#9 Erasable Pens
First of all, a teacher can never have enough pens, so find out which one’s are your teacher’s favorite and stick some of those into their stocking! But, I recently discovered the Frixion erasable pens and my life has forever changed. I cannot stop recommending these pens to my teacher friends, because daily, weekly, and monthly plans are constantly changing in a school building and it is easier to keep things straight if I can edit my planner by erasing instead of crossing through. I know this is a small detail, but that is why it is a gift idea and not something a teacher may spend their own money on!
#10 Coffee
If the teacher in your life is a coffee drinker, consider gifting them some high quality coffee this holiday season! I personally love coffee, and I do own a nespresso machine, but I pushed it aside this past semester because I didn’t want to spend money on the pods. My boyfriend gifted me these Nespresso pods and I was genuinely so happy! This is a very practical and useful gift idea to help fuel a teacher’s morning.
#11 Lunchbox
Most teachers bring their lunch to school because it is not practical to leave campus to pick up food or have it delivered to the school. Plus, buying lunch can get expensive on a teacher salary. Having a functional lunch box that can keep food insulated throughout the day is a very useful thing for teachers. I am in the market for a new lunchbox (I am currently reusing target bags to carry my lunch, ha!) and I like the compartments plus the design of this one from Amazon.
#12 Planner
Help the teacher in your life live a more balanced and organized life by gifting them a workflow planner. This one from Amazon is great because it offers variety to the way one can keep up with tasks (daily, weekly, monthly pages, priority lists, and goal setting).
#13 Singing Bowl
Getting students’ attention in class is an ongoing feat for teachers. Having a tool, besides their own voice, that a teacher can use to gain their students’ attention is super helpful. This singing bowl from Amazon is a great option, but there are also options such as rain sticks or chimes that can serve the same purpose.
#14 Glass Meal-Prep Containers
As a teacher, weekly meal prepping has helped eliminate some of that decision fatigue stress that I mentioned earlier in the post. I feel like my life is more balanced and manageable when I am able to prepare for the week (I call this helping my future self). I do think it makes a difference if I have high quality, glass containers that I feel safe storing my food in. Here are some from Amazon that have super high reviews!