Yahoo Finance 31 best gifts for teachers: Thoughtful gift ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week 2023
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If you're looking for the best gifts for teachers, keep reading for some fantastic teacher-approved selections that are not the typical mug or apple-themed knick-knacks. Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 will take place from May 8 to May 12, so make sure to show all the special teachers in your life how much they mean to their students.
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We know handwritten notes and artwork from students are always appreciated, but, if you're after a unique gift idea for a teacher like a mini fridge or embroidery kit, we've got you covered with our Reviewed-approved alternatives to “Best Teacher Ever” merch.
1. For the teacher who loves to cook:
If your teacher is as much of a whiz in the kitchen as they are in the classroom, a casserole dish is a gift idea that will help them take their culinary creations to the next level. The Pioneer Woman Blooming Bouquet dish is a fantastic gift option that is pretty and functional and one of our best casserole dishes of 2023. Wanna make the gift even better? Deliver the gift with a homemade treat inside.
2. For the teacher who drinks a lot of coffee: Gift boxes from Angel's Cup
If your teacher is a coffee lover, then an Angel's Cup gift box is certainly a gift they'll appreciate and use. When we tested this service, we were impressed by the tasting notes and presentation—perfect for a teacher who notices all the details.
3. For the teacher who is constantly on the go: An insulated mug
Teachers are generally stocked up on mugs—but this vacuum-insulated, no-spill tumbler will now be the only one they need. The Yeti Rambler Tumbler with Magslider Lid will keep their tea or coffee warm for hours and is great for on the go.
4. For the stylish teacher: A Rifle Paper wall calendar
Rifle Paper Company creates wall calendars that are pretty enough to frame. These 12-month planners have plenty of room for teachers to keep their schedule on track, and the colorful floral accents on each page will make them smile, no matter the season, all year round.
5. For the teacher who eats on the go: DASH Egg Bite Maker
This DASH Deluxe Sous Vide Style Egg Maker makes the perfect sous vide style egg bites at home, all before the bell rings. For the teacher who likes to eat on the go, all they have to do is prep the eggs, pour them into the silicone cups and the egg bites are ready in minutes. We love the egg bite maker because it can be used for breakfast sandwiches, healthy snacks and even dessert.
6. For the teacher who needs to stay hydrated: A Stanley water bottle
Your teacher needs a quality water bottle that is convenient to carry around from classroom to classroom. The vacuum-insulated, 40-ounce Quencher H2.0 Stanley tumbler features a lid with a removable straw, it fits into a cup holder and it's easy to carry around thanks to a sturdy handle. The cup comes in a gorgeous range of matte colors and keeps beverages hot or cold for hours.
7. For the teacher who likes a healthy treat: Harry & David fruit gift box
Food gifts are often the best gifts. While sweet treats are everywhere, why not offer up something healthier and refreshing? Harry & David Deluxe Pears, Apples and Cheese Gift offers a selection of simple and wholesome eats.
8. For the teacher who needs more books: A book subscription
More is more when it comes to teachers and books. Book of the Month selects books for you to read, review and repeat. It's a subscription that your giftee can receive 5 to 7 books a month. Your teacher will stay up all night to see how these stories end!
9. For the teacher with neck pain: A massager with heat
Gift your worn out teacher this Shiatsu Neck Massager with a neat heat feature. It has eight deep tissue kneading nodes, which will help your teacher relax and release any day-to-day classroom activity stress. This Shiatsu Neck Massager with Heat has an adjustable shape that can massage just about any of its aching body parts.
10. For the teacher updating her kitchen: A printed dish towel
This Teacher Appreciation Dish Towel has adorable pencils all over it, making it the perfect gift for your favorite teacher. It's made from cotton and can be machine-washed, so your teacher can use it and make it look brand new with each wash.
11. For the teacher who needs to unwind: Rose Quarts Wine Gems
If you know your favorite teacher likes to decompress with a glass of wine, they'll appreciate this beautiful package of Rose Quartz Wine Gems. Designed to keep wine and other cocktails cold without watering them down, the polished rose quartz spheres just need a few hours in the freezer before they can be popped into a drink to keep it cold and looking cute. Add this "because students" stemless wine glass to get a good laugh out of them.
12. For the teacher who could use some cooking shortcuts: HelloFresh
Help out a teacher in a pinch with a gifted subscription to HelloFresh. With high-quality ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, HelloFresh is one of our top meal delivery services for its generous portions and affordable prices. Teachers will appreciate having that grocery shopping time back to work on their curriculum—or just to relax.
13. For the teacher who takes a snack break: A Vintage Mini Fridge
This Vintage Style Pink Mini Fridge will look cute in a classroom and is practical if your teacher needs someplace to store some soda or water. This fridge is praised as "cute and small" but still able to "fit exactly what you need." It cools to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below ambient room temperature and stores up to six beverage cans.
14. For the crafty teacher: Unicrown Embroidery Kit
If your teacher is a needlepoint extraordinaire, you can't go wrong by picking them up a Unicrown Embroidery Kit. Perfect for practiced cross stitchers and beginners, the kit includes three fun patterns, three embroidery hoops, several needles and tons of colorful threads for plenty of unique crafting possibilities.
15. A Kate Spade pen set
Every teacher has a favorite pen and theirs can be from this Kate Spade set you gift them. The set includes five black ink pens featuring a variety of black and white designs like dots and stripes and even an apple, making it perfect for teachers.
16. For the teacher who's humorous: A chaos coordinator glass can
Have a teacher who's always drinking iced coffee or some kind of beverage? Then, gift them this Chaos Coordinator Glass Can. The glass bottles are lead-less, non-toxic and composed of high-density borosilicate. It's suitable for warm drinks up to 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold beverages.
17. For the teacher with a green thumb: The Sill plant delivery
A potted plant is a welcomed gift to enhance any space. The Sill offers beautiful plants—as well as helpful resources and trendy planters—right to your teacher's door or classroom. Choose an easy-care plant that adds a splash of greenery to any home or classroom.
18. For the teacher who is a tea drinker: A Sips by tea gift box
If your teacher loves tea, consider gifting a Sips by tea gift box. High-quality teas from around the world are offered in a range of boxes full of classics and some surprises. This box is inspired by Italy, with flavors like Amalfi Lavender Limoncello and Tuscan Dreams. For extra credit, add this adorable Manatea to their gift, it's the best tea infuser we've ever tested because it fits snugly on mugs and doesn't let any tea leaves slip out.
19. For the teacher who encourages her students to read: New books for the classroom
Chances are your teacher’s classroom library could use some refreshing. Call up your local independent bookstore or use Bookshop and ask the knowledgeable bookseller about the hottest new titles for your teacher’s grade level. Make sure to include a gift receipt!
20. For the teacher who needs to relax: Beekman 1802 Milk Carton Spa Set
Beekman 1802 is best known for using a unique ingredient hailed as a beauty secret for centuries: goat’s milk. We tested out this buzz-worthy brand and found that it lived up to the hype—each product we tested had an amazing scent and felt nourishing and calming on the skin. Beekman 1802 Milk Carton Spa Set from 1-800-Baskets includes goat milk hand cream, cuticle cream and two bar soaps, perfect for the teacher whose skin could use a little extra TLC.
21. For the teacher who likes to travel: A monogrammed weekender bag
Time away is just the thing a teacher needs after a long week. A sturdy and attractive weekender bag like this Canvas Weekender Duffle Bag makes packing for last-minute trips easy as ABC. Once you’ve selected a color, monogramming is irresistible!
22. For the teacher who's a book lover: A framed book cover
If your teacher is passionate about reading—and they probably are!—a First Edition Book Cover Art Print of their favorite classic book cover would be an unusual and thoughtful gift.
23. For the teacher who loves details: A personalized gift box
You can never go wrong with a personalized gift box! This Teacher Gift Box from Etsy will make your favorite teacher feel appreciated. Inside you'll find hand cream, a candle, a pencil case, a pocket mirror and a delicious chocolate bar.
24. For the teacher who needs a helper: Amazon Echo Dot
A more compact version of the popular Amazon Echo, the Amazon Echo Dot is a small smart speaker that can be mighty helpful for any classroom. Teachers can ask her to play music, tell jokes, set alarms, set multiple timers, tell stories, spell words, translate, and so much more. Educational and a fun way to pass the time during indoor recess, the Echo Dot is appreciated by students and teachers alike.
25. For the teacher who is crafty: Scotch Thermal Laminator
With more than 44,000 reviews and a full 5 stars, the Scotch Thermal Laminator is praise-worthy. Your teacher will make use of this throughout the school year! It laminates up to nine inches and has two heated rollers that ensure bubble and wrinkle-free results.
26. For the organized teacher: A set of stationery
Help your teacher get organized with a set of encouraging teacher-themed notepads. This set includes 24 pads, each with unique styles and designs. Every pad includes 30 pages with strong adhesion for all sticky note needs—from to-do lists to daily reminders to encouraging mantras.
27. For the bookworm teacher: A book-themed canvas bag
If your teacher loves to read—both on and off the clock—this Kate Spade tote bag could be a dream accessory. It's made of heavyweight canvas for lugging books and other materials to and from work, and it features an interior pocket to avoid small items getting lost.
28. For the teacher who deserves encouragement: Quote-engraved pens
Sometimes, a long day of teaching can be exhausting and defeating. It might bring a smile to your teacher's face to pull out one of these engraved pens on a day like that, which feature encouraging quotes that can validate and inspire them. Plus, these pens come packaged beautifully and have a 4.7 star rating for how well they write.
29. For the teacher who loves candles:
This Beaded Glass Candle has citrus blossom, neroli, poppy and willow scents. Your teacher will enjoy lighting this candle in the classroom or at home. It has a 55-hour burn time so this candle will last long.
30. For the teacher who deserves some zen: An essential oil diffuser
We love essential oil diffusers to help us unwind after a long day—or just for making a workspace more comfortable—thanks to the benefits of aromatherapy. Treat your teacher to some much needed self-care with the Asakuki Oil Diffuser, which we love for its even, quiet diffusing and beautiful design (which features built-in LEDs!).
31. A good ol' gift card
We admit that sometimes the best gift is one they can choose for themselves from their favorite retailer or restaurant. So if you're in a pinch or don't know the teacher well enough to choose a more personalized gift, a gift card is the way to go and will always be appreciated. Starbucks, Nordstrom, Best Buy and GrubHub are just a few of endless options you can purchase conveniently at Amazon.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 31 best gifts for teachers in 2023.
