15 Christmas Gifts That Will Make Your Teacher Smile All Year Long
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What’s the one gift that teachers secretly wish for but rarely get? Spoiler: It’s not another coffee mug.
These 15 Christmas gift ideas are thoughtful, unique, and guaranteed to bring joy long after the holiday season ends.
Cheap DIY Christmas Gift Ideas For Teachers
1. Personalized Mason Jar Hot Cocoa Mix
This gift is a thoughtful and festive way to treat teachers during the holiday season. A mason jar filled with layers of hot cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips creates a visually appealing and delicious present.
It’s an easy way to spread warmth and joy, and teachers can enjoy it on a cozy evening during their holiday break.
Making Process: Purchase mason jars and fill them with a layer of cocoa mix, followed by mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and optional crushed candy canes for a festive touch. Secure the lid, tie a ribbon around the jar, and attach a small tag with instructions for making the hot cocoa.
Price: Approximately $5-$7 per jar.
2. Handmade Christmas Ornament
Handmade ornaments are a great way to give teachers something personal and decorative for their tree.
Using clear baubles, you can fill them with glitter, tiny decorations, or even a handwritten note to express appreciation. Each ornament becomes a keepsake they can enjoy for years to come.
Making Process: Buy clear plastic or glass ornaments from a craft store. Open the top and fill with glitter, small festive beads, or a personalized note written on colorful paper. Seal the ornament and decorate the exterior with paint or attach a ribbon to hang it on a tree.
Price: Approximately $3-$5 per ornament.
3. Custom Holiday Scented Candle
A handmade candle is a warm and comforting gift for teachers. By using seasonal scents like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine, you can create a festive candle that adds to the holiday atmosphere. Placing it in a decorative container, such as a small tin or a mug, makes it extra special.
Making Process: Melt soy wax in a double boiler and stir in a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Pour the mixture into a heat-safe container such as a tin or a festive mug. Allow the candle to cool and solidify completely, then decorate the exterior of the container with ribbons, stickers, or holiday-themed patterns.
Price: Approximately $5-$8 per candle.
4. Teacher Survival Kit
A “Teacher Survival Kit” is a creative and practical gift that shows your appreciation for all their hard work. This small bundle of goodies can include tea bags, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and a little snack to help them relax and recharge during the busy holiday season.
Making Process: Collect small, useful items like tea bags, mini hand sanitizers, lip balm, and chocolates. Pack them in a decorated tin, small basket, or holiday-themed pouch. Add a note expressing gratitude for their hard work and dedication.
Price: Approximately $7-$10 per kit.
5. DIY Bookmarks with Personal Touches
Handmade bookmarks are a thoughtful and practical gift for teachers, especially if they enjoy reading. You can customize them with festive designs, inspiring quotes, or a personal message, making each bookmark unique and meaningful.
Making Process: Cut cardstock or thick paper into bookmark shapes. Decorate them with drawings, stickers, or calligraphy quotes. Laminate the bookmarks or cover them with clear tape for durability. Add a tassel made of yarn or ribbon to give them a polished look.
Price: Approximately $2-$4 per set of bookmarks.
christmas gift card holder ideas for teachers
1. DIY Felt Stocking Gift Card Holder
A small felt stocking is a charming and festive way to present a gift card. It doubles as a decorative keepsake and adds a personal, handmade touch to your gift.
Making Process: Cut two stocking shapes out of felt fabric. Sew or glue the edges together, leaving the top open to insert the gift card. Decorate the stocking with glitter, buttons, or small holiday-themed cutouts. Attach a ribbon loop so it can hang like a mini ornament.
Price: Approximately $3-$5 per holder.
2. Pop-Up Christmas Card Gift Card Holder
Create a pop-up card that not only holds a gift card but also delivers a fun surprise when opened. This is a creative and interactive way to present a gift card for teachers.
Making Process: Fold a piece of sturdy cardstock in half to create the card base. Cut slits inside the fold to create a tab where the gift card can sit. Decorate the outside with festive designs, like a Christmas tree or snowflakes, and write a holiday message inside. The pop-up mechanism adds an extra layer of fun.
Price: Approximately $2-$4 per card.
christmas gift ideas for math teachers
1. Math Puzzle Desk Calendar
A desk calendar featuring daily math puzzles or brainteasers is a thoughtful and engaging gift for a math teacher. It offers daily challenges that align with their interests and can even be used in the classroom.
Where to Get It: Available at bookstores, online marketplaces like Amazon, or specialty gift shops. Look for calendars with themes like logic puzzles, Sudoku, or mathematical trivia.
Price: Approximately $10-$15.
2. Math-Themed Tote Bag
A tote bag adorned with mathematical symbols, equations, or a clever math pun is both practical and personal. It’s a great way for math teachers to carry their books and supplies while showcasing their love for numbers.
Where to Get It: Look for math-themed tote bags on Etsy, Amazon, or educational gift shops. Many options allow for customization to include specific designs or quotes.
Price: Approximately $10-$20.
christmas gift ideas for preschool teachers
1. Personalized Handprint Art Keepsake
Create a custom keepsake featuring a handprint or fingerprint art design, such as a Christmas tree, wreath, or reindeer. This heartfelt, handmade gift symbolizes gratitude and the personal connection preschool teachers build with their students.
Making Process: Use a small canvas or thick cardstock. Apply non-toxic paint to a child’s hand or fingers and create a festive design like a tree or wreath. Add a sweet message, the date, and the child’s name. Seal it with a protective spray or frame it for durability.
Price: Approximately $5-$10.
2. Classroom Supply Gift Basket
A gift basket filled with essential classroom supplies like crayons, markers, glue sticks, and stickers is both thoughtful and practical. Preschool teachers will appreciate the replenishment of these high-demand items.
Where to Get It: Purchase supplies at a local dollar store or craft shop. Arrange them in a festive basket or small tote and decorate with a bow and a holiday card expressing appreciation.
Price: Approximately $10-$15.
christmas gift ideas for coworkers teachers
1. Holiday-Themed Desk Organizer
A festive desk organizer is a practical yet thoughtful gift for a teacher coworker. It helps keep their workspace tidy while adding a bit of holiday cheer to their desk.
Where to Get It: Look for holiday-themed desk organizers online on sites like Amazon or at office supply stores. Alternatively, you can DIY by painting or decorating a simple wooden organizer with festive designs.
Price: Approximately $10-$15.
2. Cozy Blanket or Throw
A cozy blanket or throw is a warm and thoughtful gift that coworkers can use to relax after a long day of teaching. Choose one with holiday patterns or a neutral design they can enjoy year-round.
Where to Get It: Available at home goods stores, big-box retailers like Target, or online shops like Amazon. Consider wrapping it in a festive ribbon for presentation.
Price: Approximately $15-$20.
christmas gift basket ideas for teachers
1. Cozy Winter Comfort Basket
A basket filled with winter essentials like a plush scarf, holiday-scented candles, a small pack of hot cocoa mix, and cozy socks is a perfect way to pamper a teacher during the holiday season.
Where to Get It: Purchase a decorative basket from a craft store, then fill it with items like a scarf, socks, candles, and hot cocoa packets from local shops or online retailers. Wrap the basket in clear cellophane and tie it with a festive ribbon.
Price: Approximately $20-$30.
2. Teacher’s Relaxation Basket
This basket focuses on relaxation and self-care, including items like herbal tea, a scented lotion, bath bombs, and a gratitude journal. It’s a thoughtful way to encourage teachers to unwind after the busy school term.
Where to Get It: Find a wicker or wooden basket, then add items like tea sachets, small skincare products, and a journal. These can be sourced from local wellness stores, bookstores, or online platforms like Amazon. Decorate the basket with a holiday-themed ribbon.
Price: Approximately $25-$35.
