Teacher Appreciation Day Is This Weekend—Here's What to Gift

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As much as we believe that Teacher Appreciation Day should happen every day of the year, we’re not there yet, so for now, we celebrate on May 6. These gifts for teachers are one of the easiest ways to let them know how much you appreciate them—whether you’re the student or the parent of a student. No matter who is handing them the wrapped present, the teacher will certainly love it.

In fact, we only picked goodies that they’ll actually use, including not one but two types of phone chargers, a monogrammed pebble leather pencil case, and a set of three notebooks. Otherwise, go for something a bit more cheeky, like a novelty pen in the shape of a hotdog. If you can’t decide which direction to take, go for both!

The great thing about gifts for teachers is that they’re not meant to be luxurious and expensive. If you spend a ton of money on a teacher, they may think you’re trying to buy good grades, which is a big no-no. These gifts, most of which are under $50, are just a token of your admiration and respect. We even took a few modern approaches to the classic gifts, such as a fun play on the shiny red apple and a chalkboard for the most stylish foyers. Don’t wait too long to snag these gifts, though! Teacher Appreciation Day is only two days away! Rest assured, plenty of our top contenders are from Amazon, so you can order something today and get it in the mail just in time.

White Pine Porcelain Diffuser

A porcelain room diffuser in the shape of a miniature succulent? Yes, please. Here's how it works: There is oil in the vessel that gets wicked up into the succulent piece, which then diffuses fragrance into the room. This is as much a gift for the students as it is for the teacher because it makes the whole classroom smell divine.

Apple Pie Dish

We'd consider this a more elevated and practical approach to leaving a shiny red apple on the teacher's desk. If they like to bake, we can almost guarantee that this will become their new favorite kitchen essential. Plus, it's Le Creuset, and it doesn't get more luxurious than that.

Wall-Mounted Chalkboard

Another House Beautiful take on the classic chalkboard is this much more visually appealing option they can bring home. Our suggestion? Hang it by the front door to jot down and little reminders or greetings. Go the extra mile and score them some chalk so they don't have to steal it from school.

Waterproof Zip-Top Tote

Be honest, does anyone have more stuff than a teacher? Everyday, they're carting lunch, laptops, homework, props, markers, and a whole slew of other essentials, so let's make the lug a bit easier on them with a carry-all tote that can withstand everything—even weather.

Garden Party Stitched Notebook, Set of 3

Teachers lead multiple classes per day, so help keep them organized with a set of three beautifully decorated notebooks that all boast a different colored cover, so they won't accidentally confuse them. Personally, we're loving the garden party theme, but you can opt for any of the other five patterns, including cities and other floral alternatives.

Mini Humidifier

With intense air conditioning in the warmer months and equally strong heat in the colder ones, classrooms can feel really dry. This miniature humidifier, which is about the size of a tumbler, will keep nosebleeds, sinus infections, and tight, flaky skin at bay.

My Daily Planner

Another way to help teachers keep track of all the meetings, office hours, and conferences is with a daily planner. This one from Papier is one of our favorites because it includes a mind map page, pages for setting and reflecting on goals, a 16-week-view, and lined pages for extra notes.

Mag:2 Essentials Magnetic Charging Stand

On a good day, teachers have about an hour to themselves, so help them make it count by letting them play on their fully charged phones. This chic and sleek charing station not only works for your phone, but for your AirPods too! It's also small enough to fit on the corner of a desk (or in a drawer if they want to hide it).

UberHeat Ceramic Heater

Sometimes it takes the school a long time to finally turn on the heat, so if you live in an area where winter starts early, get your favorite teacher a portable and compact ceramic space heater. We'd suggest placing it on the floor because the hot air will travel upwards, warming their entire body.

Limited-Edition Japonica Mini Candle

"I am candle-obsessed, so I have quite a few, but this is the one I always come back to," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. The Mokara scent, a fan-favorite, smells of orchid, white lily, and spring moss. It's basically spring in a jar.

Gel Pen Set

Remember gel pens? They arrived on the scene in a big way during the naughties, and luckily for everyone who used them regularly, they're back! They're also better than ever, we'd say. Our favorite set? This floral one from Rifle Paper Co., a brand that knows good school supplies.

Mason Desktop Organizer Set

Teachers have a lot to keep track of, so staying organized is hard. Make it a little easier with this minimalistic and sleek set from Pottery barn, which includes three different size canisters (in a glossy white) and a matching tray. Their desk will never look better.

Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Headphones are a must-have for anyone with a commute, but especially so for teachers, who spend at least eight hours a day wrangling a classroom of children. Headphones are necessary to get them prepared for the day and decompress once it's done. Trust us; just get them.

Coffee + Chocolate Tasting Box

This coffee isn't just coffee. It's an invigorating way to get and stay awake because it's paired with chocolate specifically designed to enhance the coffee. This set comes with four of each, so it will at least get the teachers through the first semester.

Succulent Assortment

Succulents are almost too easy to keep alive—especially the small ones because they require even less water than the regular size ones. In fact, you can probably get away with popping an ice cube in each of these planters once a month (or even less frequently).

Champagne Bears, Set of 4

What's better than a cube of Sugarfina's best-selling gummies? Four cubes! The Champagne bears don't actually have any bubbles in them, but the subtle and crisp flavor is inspired by our favorite bottles. We will say, these require some serious self-control.

Hotdog Novelty Pen

It's our personal opinion that everyone appreciates a cheeky and kitschy gift. Luckily, there are a lot of options for teachers, but this hotdog-shaped pen is our favorite. It's not exactly easy to write with, but it's perfect for marking a check or an "x" next to multiple choice-based exams.

Custom Stationery, Set of 10

If there is one person who understands the lost art of letter-writing, it's a teacher. The only issue is that teachers will rarely spend their hard-earned money on custom cards and envelops. That's where we, appreciative students and parents, come in. Papier offers hundreds of customizable designs, but we're partial to the "Into the Woods" style.

Honey-Infused Hair Perfume

Perfume is hard to gift because it's such a big and personal decision to make for another person, but hair perfume, on the other hand, is a totally different situation. Because it's in their hair, versus on their skin, it is a bit more subtle. Plus, this one is honey-infused, so it will make their hair a bit softer than usual.

Book Club Enamel Keychain

Another kitschy gift we couldn't help but include is this keychain in the shape of stacked classic page-turners, including Wuthering Heights and Pride & Prejudice. It's useful and cute, two things teachers tend to love.

Almond Coconut Milk Hand Crème

If you're not sure what to get them, go with a luxurious hand cream. "I got this as a gift for my mentor at the end of an internship in 2014 and I liked it so much that I ended up buying a tube for myself," Cherner says. "Every time I've run out since, I buy a new one. It is my go-to."

500-Piece Florette Puzzle

Hear us out: Puzzles are one of the most underrated forms of de-stressing. Our favorite way to do it is putting on a good playlist, hiding our phone in the other room, and spending the next few hours or so fitting these pieces together until the beautiful end result is revealed.

Color Map Mug

While the kids are lunching, the teachers will be drawing. This cool mug, which you can actually drink out of, is doodle-friendly.

24-oz. Tumbler

Remembering to stay hydrated is next to impossible while you're standing at a whiteboard for most of the day, so keeping a 24-ounce insulated water bottle that comes with a straw on the desk makes it a bit easier.

Everyday Italian Leather Pouch

Nothing feels more special than something personalized. This pouch, which quite a few House Beautiful editors have on our desks—is a good find because it's luxurious (read: pebbled leather) and affordable. Plus, it's on sale!

Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist

This hand sanitizer is so fancy that Aesop doesn't even call it sanitizer. They call it mist. It does sanitize, though, so it's a great gift for teachers who are constantly touching germ-infested things. For $13, you may as well get one for yourself too.

Men's Gripper Slipper

After being on their feet all day, stepping into a pair of super cushiony slipper socks is extremely soothing. They come in five colors and three sizes, so you're bound to find the right pair for your favorite educator.

Zip Sunglass Case

This customizable leather pouch may look similar to the Mark & Graham one, but this one is specifically designed for glasses (both opticals and sunglasses alike). It comes in 15 colors, but we'd suggest going with one of the darker hues so it doesn't get dirty when they toss it in their bag at the end of the day.

Compact Magnifying Mirror

There's not always time between classes to run to the bathroom to check on their hair or free the spinach between their teeth, so teachers need a compact mirror they can store in their desk drawer. This one is a bit bigger than the bejeweled ones you may be picture from the 1970s. It's also magnified and comes with a light.

PowerStation

Yes, we have included two phone chargers in our gifts for teachers roundup, but here's why: Sometimes, teachers are stationed in more than one classroom, which can make setting up the Courant on multiple desks a nuisance. This one is half an inch thick, so they can stick it right in their bag.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Pure peppermint oil can be used in two ways: Put it directly on your skin to help with headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, and even itching, or breathe it in to help relieve a sore throat or cough. "I've never used it for colds, but I have put a few drops in a an essential oil diffuser for aromatherapy and have noticed that I feel very awake after a few minutes," Cherner notes.

AirPod Generation 3 Case

Sadly, the case doesn't come with AirPods, but it's still worth the $25. Just look how cool it is! For started, it's encased in a glossy pattern that's scratch-resistant, so there's no need to be too precious with it.

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