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40 Best Teacher Gifts, According to Teachers Themselves

Hint: Skip the cliché gifts.

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teacher gifts

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Teachers receive a lot of gifts at the end of the year, and while they’re always grateful, the cliché items can stack up quickly. We surveyed teachers, including educators from different grade levels across the country, either currently working or retired to find out what teachers actually want to receive. Hint: They don’t want another “World’s Best Teacher” mug or an accessory covered in apples and pencils.

Our top picks:

One thing most teachers agreed on? Sweet handwritten letters from their students are often the most meaningful. They also agreed that versatile gift cards (like Amazon and Visa) are as good as gold, and a customized gift is always better than something that just says "teacher" on it. Above all, teachers want items that most adults would ask for—think coffee, candles, wine, and self-care essentials. You can’t go wrong with year’s most popular gifts, like the viral NeeDoh squishy toys, Summer Fridays lip balm, or a new Owala water bottle.

For their summer reading pile, this pretty set of magnetic bookmarks is a thoughtful gift. The three designs are from William Morris’ popular block-printed wallpaper designs, including the famous “strawberry thief” print.

If you had to non-stop talk all day, you'd need quality lip balm, too. Pamper your hardworking teacher with this set of four hydrating lip butter balms. For men, try this set of Jack Black moisturizing lip balms.

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Once they're in the building, carrying their school IDs, cards, lip balm, and keys is much more convenient with a wristlet. We bet the teacher in your life will enjoy this trendy set from Lululemon, available in 16 colorways.

Nobody said office supplies had to be devoid of personality. Teachers can use this cute set of sticky notepads for their own purposes, or to leave inspiring notes for their students.

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All the sanitizing and hand-washing teachers do to keep from getting sick is hard on the skin. A set of French hand creams with shea butter, argan oil, vitamin E, and calendula can help soothe their hard-working hands. Choose from 10 sets of scents.

Personalized with their name, this embroidered tote is great for bringing schoolwork home. It’s decorated with cute icons, from crayons, pencils, and books to school buses.

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For the teacher who has a heart of gold (and don’t they all?) this bangle says it all. The bracelet is 12K gold-plated brass and one-size-fits-most. We like that the “heart of gold” engraving is on the inside, leaving the outside a solid gold band that can be dressed up or down.

A set of beautiful gel pens make a great gift for teachers. These come in eight colors, and the floral patterns will brighten their day.

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“We spend all day running around the classroom, so I’d love a foot mask,” one teacher told us. This moisturizing formula is made with shea butter, strawberry oil, and resveratrol.

If you know that your teacher loves candles, a Voluspa is the way to go. It’s made of a coconut wax blend, comes in more than 23 luxe scents, and the glass jar is gorgeous (and reusable).

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For teachers who read over their summer vacation, a three-month book of month subscription will keep them busy. There’s a monthly list of trendy and new hardcovers, so they can choose what they like.

This adorable crochet turtle is a constant reminder of the impact teachers have on their students. It also makes cute desk decor.

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If they’re known to bring an iced coffee into school, this insulated sleeve helps keep it colder for longer—important for busy teachers. There are different sizes and patterns to choose from.

Have the class chip in for this luxurious gift, which includes 16 stunning roses in a a dazzling chrome box. The best part? They can leave them in the classroom as decor, because they don’t need water and will last up to three years.

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Give this sweet book to a teacher, and cue the waterworks as they read about how they've made a difference in the world. It's a children's book, but the sentiment inside is universal, and teachers at any level will appreciate hearing it.

More than most, teachers need to keep sanitizing their hands throughout the day. These Bath & Body Works mins come in dozens of scents, and you can get six for $10. They can keep a few in their desk, in their bag, or anywhere they’re needed. You can even get them a fun holder that'll clip to their bag.

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After a busy school day, they'll appreciate unwinding with these aromatherapy shower steamers. The lavender scent is supposed to instill calm, something every teacher needs.

Personalized items show you put time and effort into getting something just for them. These teacher stamps are customized to with the phrase of your choosing, along with their hairstyle, facial hair, glasses, or other accessories. You can get them for male teachers and female teachers.

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The same tumbler that's used by students is also a hit with teachers. The FreeSip comes in several sizes, but this 24-ounce bottle fits easily in a backpack side pocket. In our tests, we found that this lid doesn’t leak once it’s locked, and it keeps drinks nice and cold for 24 full hours.

RELATED: We Tested Dozens of Water Bottles to Find the Absolute Best Ones

It may be only 3x2 inches, but I can confirm that this JBL Bluetooth speaker cranks out some seriously great sounds. Teachers will enjoy having this on their summer break, but it could also come in handy in the classroom in the fall.

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Jessica Dukes
Shopping Editor

Jessica Dukes is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines, writing about home goods, tech, fashion, wellness, and more for titles like Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, and House Beautiful. Drawing on more than 20 years of digital experience, Jess focuses on curating gift guides, tracking down the best deals, and testing products for candid reviews. Prior to Hearst, her career spanned Bonnier Corp., NBC Universal, and Barnes&Noble.com. As a busy mom of two teenagers (one in college), relaxing looks a lot like gardening, hiking, or planning the next family getaway. 

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