Whether you’re shopping for a teacher for Christmas, back-to-school, teacher appreciation, or just because, you won’t want to miss these 25 Best Gifts for Teachers in 2023 … from a teacher who has been teaching for 23 years. Times change and technology improves, so some of the items on this list of 25 Best Gifts for Teachers won’t appear on other lists. Read on to see why!
New Teacher Showers, like baby showers or bridal showers, but for new teachers, should totally be a thing. New teachers have to stock their classrooms out of their pockets before they ever receive a paycheck. It’s been 23 years, but I still remember the stress.
To be quite honest, even after 23 years of teaching, if someone wanted to throw me a Back-to-School Shower, I’d be over the moon!
The 2023-2024 school year will be my 24th year in education, and it will be my first year in my new district. If you’ve been following my blog or my social media page, you probably know that I worked for the same district for the first 23 years of my career. There were a few different reasons that I decided to change schools after 23 years, but the most important is that my children and grandchildren all moved away. So, of course, I chose to move closer to them.
I’m not a first year teacher. I have had years to horde classroom décor, organizational products, and educational items. However, just like the last 23 summers, I’m finding myself stalking the back-to-school sales, and tracking the State Sales Tax Holidays so that I can save money on classroom items. Like most teachers, I spend money out of my own pocket each summer for the sake of students I haven’t even met yet.
Pro Tips for Teachers
If you’re a new teacher, search the hashtag #clearthelist or #clearthelist2023 and share your list with influencers on your favorite social media platforms. They will help you get your Amazon Wishlist cleared by their followers. Be sure to set your list to public!
I’ve heard from my teacher groups that some schools frown on getting donations from #clearthelist and Donor’s Choose, so be sure to check with your admin before sharing your list. Since 2020, I’ve had two Donor’s Choose projects and several #clearthelist items purchased from wonderful strangers. I’ve watched my more ambitious friends get hundreds of dollars worth of materials donated for their classrooms, their students, and their projects.
Author’s Note
Throughout this article, I use the pronoun “her” when referring to teachers. I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful male teachers. I’m using “her” as a stylistic choice, not to exclude or diminish the role of male teachers. On the contrary, I think many students benefit greatly from having male educators in their lives, especially if their fathers are not in the picture.
25 Best Gifts for Teachers in 2023
1. Teacher “Survivor Kit” Gift Basket
This 8-piece gift set includes a teacher wine tumbler/mug with the “It takes a big heart to shape little minds” slogan. It also features a ballpoint pen, pen holder, a beautiful book mark, a soothing lavender bath bomb, and a soy candle.
You can write a personalized message to your child’s teacher or your teacher-friend on the “Best Wishes” card that is included. This personalized touch is one of the reasons this item is a great gift for teachers.
2. Coffee Warmer for Desk
Teachers never get to drink a hot cup of coffee. By the time the get to pick up their mug for a sip, it’s cold. That makes this a great gift for coffee-loving teachers.
For those lucky few teachers who do get a classroom budget, this item would not be on the approved list of things they can purchase for their classroom. However, I’d argue that for this teacher at least, it’s just as important to my students’ education as my
3. Magnetic Clips
Did you know that most white boards are magnetic? If you’re a teacher this isn’t news to you. These clips are a colorful way to display information, student work, and more on unused parts of the white board. Because they’re magnetic, they’re easily movable.
These magnet clips are heavy-duty and can hold up to 12 sheets of paper at once.
4. Magnetic Organizers
These are perfect for our white boards, but also for our desks and filing cabinets as well! Just go ahead and get us all of the magnetic teacher things, lol.
Speaking of which … (check out the next item on the list!)
5. Magnetic Floating Bookshelves are Perfect Gifts for Teachers
We can tell our students not to choose a book by the cover, but we know they’re going to. These floating bookshelves can snap right on our white board, desk, or filing cabinets to allow us to display books.
With this gift, you can help your teacher friend entice her reluctant readers to read.
You know what? Just go ahead and gift your child’s teacher any of the magnetic things from Amazon’s Help a Teacher Wish List pages.
6. Crayola Broad-line Marker Class Pack
If you’re going to give a teacher markers or s, they has to be Crayola. If you’re going to gift #2 pencils, they have to be Ticonderoga. It is known. That’s why this set makes a great gift for teachers.
Over 5K of this particular item has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
7. The 9-in-1 Personal Thermal & Cold Laminator
Even as a high school teacher, I find myself needing to laminate materials more often than I ever dreamed would be necessary. There is almost never enough time to go to the central office and stand in line to use their industrial laminator, and I almost never need to laminate something that size. Most of what I want laminated are the size of a regular sheet of paper.
The versatility of use and the saved time makes this one of the best gifts for teachers. (Check to make sure that they have not already shelled out the money to purchase their own first.) At the time of writing this article, over 1K of this particular model has been sold on Amazon in the last month.
8. Laminator Pouches Make Practical Gifts for Teachers
If your teacher friend already has a laminator, or easy access to one, they would undoubtedly appreciate these laminating pouches!
Over 60K of this particular item has been sold on Amazon in the past month. I wonder how many of those purchases were by teachers. I’d be willing to bet more than half!
I’ve used these laminator pouches for years, and I love them. I love to laminate graphic organizers and allow students to write on them with dry-erase markers. They can erase them and use them again and again.
9. Rotating Craft Supply Organizer
This 12″ Lazy Susan-Style organizer caddy is perfect for helping teachers organize classroom supplies.
I think every teacher I have ever known has had a back-to-school resolution of getting more organized. That’s why this item is one of the 25 Best Gifts for Teachers in 2023.
At the time of writing this article, over 800 of this particular model has been sold on Amazon in the last month.
10. Desk Organizer: Letter Tray Organizer with File Holder
This adorable desk organizer is available in six colors, so you can buy your child’s teacher a gift that matches her style.
Both the organization resolution, mentioned in #9 above, and the different color options make this one of the 25 Best Gifts for Teachers in 2023.
11. Giant Post-Its! (AKA Easel Chart Pads)
You might be a teacher if you can define the term “anchor chart.” Teacher-created, or better-yet, student-created anchor charts are wonderful tools for capturing and remembering learning. Cheaper than purchasing dozens of posters, and much easier to customize, they can be a temporary or semi-permanent fixture that teachers can reference and students can refer to again and again.
These 15 X 18 inch Easel Chart Pads are also great for brainstorming or facilitating gallery walks, one of my favorite classroom activities!
Over 4K of this particular item has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
12. 5-Foot Surge Protector
Students in 2023 have devices that they use daily for their education. So many students arrive to school without having these devices charged. In the modern classroom, having a few surge protectors on hand can really help avoid disruptions to learning.
13. Desk Top Extension Cord Tower with Multiple Outlets, USB, and USB-C Charging
Your teacher friends need a surge protector for themselves as well. They have to charge all of their devices, just like the students do. The battery life of their devices are shorter because they’re running so many programs: Google Docs, Google Slides, Pear Deck, Nearpod, YouTube. The list goes on and on.
This charging tower includes a 6.5 foot extension cord, with surge protector. Between the outlets and USB ports, your techie teacher friends will be able to charge up to 16 devices at one time, making this tower one of the best gifts for teachers.
14. Anxiety Sensory Sticker / Fidget Anti-Stress Strips
These Anti-Stress Fidget Sensory Stickers won’t leave a residue on your student desks! Students love them, and unlike most fidget toys, they don’t make noise or distract other students.
Over 2K of this particular set has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
15. Computer Monitor Memo Board
This is something that’s at the top of my want-list. This would make a perfect gift for teachers like me, who have a want-list and a need-list. The need-list seems never-ending so the items on the want-list almost never get purchased. We only get them if someone else buys them for us.
If you’re a teacher (or anyone who uses a computer frequently), and this item is on your want-list, go ahead and get it now. At the time of writing this article, the Computer Monitor Memo Board is 53% off, but I don’t know how long that deal is going to last!
The Memo Board includes dual panels for each side of your monitor and storage for your cell phone or other small items.
16. Computer Monitors Are Wonderful Gifts for Teachers
Having a computer monitor is a must for teachers! I use mine with my laptop as a second screen.
During 2020 and through 2020-2021, Covid emphasized this need. Teachers use their screens to project their lessons or agendas, but also need it to take attendance, record quick notes, look up a grade or a parent’s phone number. All things that should not be projected to students.
Having a computer monitor, or second screen, allows the lesson to continue while teachers complete these tasks. If you’re a teacher in need of a computer monitor, read more at Two Screens for Teachers.
17. Rocketbook Smart Notebook (Reusable Notebooks)
Another item at the top of my wish list is a Rocketbook Reusable Notebook.
My Teacher BFF has one, and I’m simply enamored. She takes notes during meetings, scans the page to her app, and erases the page with ease. Now she can use the app to name, search, or send notes. No more flipping through pages.
Over 1K of this particular set has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
18. Rocketbook Smart Notebook Cover
If your teacher friend already has a Rocketbook, help them get organized with this Rocketbook Smart Notebook Cover!
It features a pen dock, inside pocket, and card slots to store materials that teachers receive during conferences. Because it was designed by Rocketbook, it fits snuggly, but allows easy removal of your Rocketbook. A magnetic clasp keeps it closed for easy transportation of necessary items for the teacher on the go.
19. Wireless Presenter Remote with Volume Control
If your teacher friend uses a lot of presentation software, such as Google Slides or PowerPoint, they will love this remote presenter. This teacher gift will allow her to move about her classroom while teaching.
I can’t count the times I’ve been teaching about a topic, need to advance my slides, and have to rush back to my computer to hit the arrows or click the mouse.
Wireless presentation remotes are great gifts for teachers because it gives her the freedom to teach from anywhere in the classroom.
Over 1K of this particular set has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
20. Carson Dellosa Happy Place Teacher Planner
The Carson Dellosa Happy Place 128-page Teacher Planner allows teachers to track progress towards goals, create to-do lists, keep up with birthdays, log parent contacts and substitute information, and plan their lessons with ease. 116 planner stickers make organizing and planning fun.
This planner is rainbow themed, but be sure to browse their other themes.
Over 2K of this particular set has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article. Teachers everywhere swear by this planner, making it one of the most sought-after gifts for teachers.
21. Electric Pencil Sharpeners Make Excellent Gifts for Teachers
An electric pencil sharpener is a must for teachers! The vast majority of classrooms still come stocked with the manual pencil sharpener with the crank that most of us remember using in school. However, those are very disruptive in the classroom. It seems to take forever for students to sharpen their pencils with those, and students usually end up over-sharpening their pencils until half of their pencil is gone.
This sharpener, which has been purchased over 9K times on Amazon in the past month at the time of this article, has a flyaway cutter which automatically stops when “ideal sharpness” is reached, preventing students from over sharpening their pencils.
22. Double Sided Adhesive Tape
This may not seem like the most fun teacher gift, but I can assure you that it will be appreciated. There is nothing more disheartening than spending hours of unpaid time preparing your classroom over the summer, just to come in early on the first day of school and find your carefully placed posters on the floor.
This gift for teachers will give your child’s teacher the ability to hang her posters without the fear of damaging walls or the worry that she’ll come in the next day to find her posters in the floor.
Over 30K of this particular item has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
23. Interlocking Foam Floor Mats
These foam floor mats are so versatile!
I’m a high school teacher, and they’re on my list. That’s my friend Angela’s fault. For the last few years, I shared a room with her. She has a set that was in front of our white board. She had a stylish rug over them. (We teach high school.)
I used to look at these and think of reading circles in elementary classes. I never dreamed that they would be such a relief for my feet.
Teachers are on their feet more than most people know. My former assistant superintendent used to say, “A teacher on her feet is worth two on her seat.” As an instructional coach, I totally get what she meant. Students react to teacher proximity. So, I’m on my feet a lot, and the fatigue is real.
I have plantar fasciitis and diabetic neuropathy in my feet, so this item is not on my want-list, but on my need list. However, I think it would make a wonderful gift for all classroom teachers.
Over 3K of this particular set has been sold on Amazon in the past month, at the time of this article.
24. Color Changing Floor Lamps
Not only are these lamps an easy way for teacher to add some color to their classrooms, the music sync feature can help with classroom management.
Hear me out! I have this lamp at home, and I really, really want a set for my classroom. You can set it to music sync, and it will light up and change colors to all noise, even the sounds of voices. It can be a visual cue during group work that students are getting too loud. Teachers can incorporate the lamp into procedures so that students can redirect their own behavior during group work.
Also, the app allows you to select patterns that are soothing and anxiety-reducing, which can help set the tone for learning. All of this combined make these floor lamps excellent gifts for teachers.
25. LED Color Changing, Music Sync Lights
I added these to my classroom last year around Christmas, and my students absolutely loved them. If I forgot to turn them on, my students would remind me.
Like the lamps mentioned above, these lights have several modes, which can help set a calming mood for learning, but your child’s teacher can also turn on music sync to help students self-monitor their noise level during group activities.
Helpful Links
Find out more about #clearthelist here.
Amazon doesn’t have a “Teacher Registry,” but check out these programs:
Create an Amazon Wedding Registry
Shop Amazon – Create an Amazon Baby Registry
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Prime Student 6-month Trial
Amazon Prime Student gives students access to Amazon Prime Benefits for 50% off!
Join the Conversation!
If you’re a teacher, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this list! Is there something I forgot? Is there something on this list that is at the top of your wish list? Do you have additional Pro Tips? What do you think makes the best gifts for teachers? Drop your comments below!
Are you considering giving your child’s teacher or a teacher-friend or relative a gift? I’d love to hear your thoughts as well!
Please note: Comments must be approved before they appear here. I turned on this feature to protect my readers from the phishing scammers who were popping up in my comments, leaving dangerous links. Please don’t let that deter you from joining the conversation!
