53 genuinely useful gifts to get your teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week

A video montage from their students

Group video gift, available at Montage, $29

Nothing will bring happy tears to a teacher's eyes quite like a video montage from their students. The Montage platform makes it easy to compile videos — it sends email invitations to each person, provides instructions to upload their videos on the website, and compiles the videos into a montage with background music.

A subtle but specific necklace

Lcherry Bar Necklace, available at Amazon, $16.98

Gifts that are teaching themed can often be kitschy or cheesy, but this necklace has the best of both worlds. It acknowledges the specific work of a teacher in the packaging, but is simple and subtle enough to wear each day. 

A plant set that will never die

Artificial Succulent Plant Arrangement, available at Target, from $15

If they love the look of plants but rightfully don't have the time to maintain them, a fake succulent assortment is a great option. It looks just like a terrarium but will never wilt. 

A chic school supply organizer

Marbrasse Bamboo Art Supply Organizer, available at Amazon, $24.99

This school supply organizer is an elevated take on the typical plastic container. It rotates for convenient access, but it can blend seamlessly in their classroom or home.

Something to add to their snack stash

Snack Magic Stash, available at Snack Magic, from $35

Almost every teacher keeps a stash of snacks and treats for those days when they really need a pick-me-up. With a snack magic box, you can create a custom snack box full of treats the teacher will love.

A comfortable space to work

Lapgear Lap Desk, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $34.99

Teachers inevitably have to bring their work home. With this lap desk, at least they can work comfortably from their bed or the couch as they lesson plan or grade on weekends. The desk comes in seven unique patterns.

A personalized message from their favorite celebrity

Cameo Video, available at Cameo, from $1

Take the gold standard of teacher gifts — a personal and thoughtful letter — up a notch and have their favorite celebrity deliver the message. You can choose from thousands of celebrities to record a personalized video message to send to the teacher. (Since the more famous celebrities can be pricier, this can be a great gift to split with other classmates).

Relaxing bath salts

Magnesium Bath Crystals, available at Rituals, $17.50

Even the most energetic teacher knows that teaching can be exhausting. Give them something to help them relax and unwind at the end of a long day. These bath crystals are designed to soothe muscles and improve sleep quality.

Something to make their classroom more comfortable

Honeywell VersaHeat Digital Two Position Ceramic Personal Heater, available at Amazon and Walmart, $44.96

Most teachers don't get to choose the temperature of their classroom, and shivering or sweating uncontrollably doesn't make for an ideal workday. With this space heater that also functions as a fan, they can make their classroom comfortable all year long. Just be sure to check that space heaters are allowed in classrooms before purchasing.

Hand cream to combat dryness

Tonymoly Hand Cream, available at Amazon and Ulta, $12

After washing and sanitizing their hands all day long, teachers' skin easily becomes dry and cracked. This premium peach hand cream will keep their hands soft and smelling nice.

A warming plate for their coffee

Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, from $11.99

It's a rare day that a teacher gets to finish their coffee before it gets cold. Give them the gift of perpetually warm coffee with this mug warmer they can plug in right at their desk.

Bookends for their home or classroom

Agate Bookends, available at West Elm, from $34

These beautiful bookends are made of solid agate. They can decide to use it in their home library or as a homey accent in their classroom. 

Something to satisfy their sweet tooth

Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookie Tins, available at Baked in Color, from $30

Many teachers keep a secret stash of their favorite treats hidden somewhere in their desks. Satisfy their sweet tooth with a tin of beautiful rainbow chocolate chip cookies.

A story from the students' perspective

"Dear Teacher," available at Target, $11.16

Perfect for preschool or kindergarten teachers, "Dear Teacher" is a love letter to all kinds of educators, written from the perspective of the kids who learn from them. It's an adorable message that teachers can share and appreciate with their students.

A scented candle that reminds them of a happy place

Homesick Scented Candle, available at Amazon, from $31.28

This is a great gift that's sure to make them feel sentimental. Whether it's their hometown, college town, or favorite spot to vacation, a Homesick candle — with scents inspired by all sorts of locations — will bring them back to that favorite place.

A tablet and pen that lets them convey handwritten material remotely

XP-Pen Graphic Tablet, available at Amazon, $25.99

One of the difficult aspects of remote learning is finding resourceful and convenient ways to mirror in-person tactics teachers use. This Graphic Tablet lets teachers draw using the stylus to convey information they may have handwritten before, such as math formulas or diagrams.

A funny book of the best wrong test answers

"F in Exams" by Richard Benson, available at Uncommon Goods, $8.50

After a stressful year for teachers, you may want to celebrate the funny and lighthearted side of the job. This book compiles some of the most amusing and inventive real-life wrong answers to grade school and high school tests.

A personalized embosser for their personal library

Custom Stamp, available at Etsy, from $34.50

This unique, thoughtful gift embosses books with "from the library of [their name]" by pressing down like a hole-puncher. It's the kind of thing most people would never buy themselves but would genuinely cherish and get a kick out of if they received it as a present.

The best water bottle they'll ever use

Hydro Flask Water Bottle, available at Amazon, from $36.07

A stellar water bottle is a timeless life upgrade, but it'll be especially useful this summer. This stainless steel version from HydroFlask is the best water bottle you can buy, thanks to insulated stainless steel that keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to six. 

Delicious food from some of the most loved restaurants in the country

Goldbelly Restaurant Meal Kits, available at Goldbelly, from $35.95

Bring a bit of their favorite restaurant right to their door. From bagels to barbeque, Goldbelly ships food gifts nationwide from iconic eateries in major cities.

A small, water-resistant speaker to enjoy outside this summer

Soundcore Flare Mini Bluetooth Speaker, available at Amazon, $42.99

Ensure they enjoy the summer with a portable, water-resistant speaker like this version from Anker. It's got a 12-hour battery life as well as LED lights on the bottom that they can adjust for five different lighting moods. We think it's the best relatively cheap Bluetooth speaker you can buy.

A comfy sleep mask

Luxury Sleep Mask, available at Amazon, $14.95

Gift a comfortable sleep mask and help them get the kind of restorative, deep sleep they must need this year.

A coloring book full of phrases your teacher can relate all too well to

Teacher Life: A Snarky Chalkboard Coloring Book, available at Amazon, $5.99

There are some situations that only teachers can understand, and this adult coloring book perfectly captures them with humor and cheekiness. The illustrations are single-sided, so they can take the page out and frame it if they so wish. 

Substantial, comfortable socks

Men's or Women's socks, available at Bombas, from $12.50

Adulthood transforms socks from a banal, unexciting gift to a precious life upgrade. Bombas makes some of our favorite and most comfortable pairs, and we love to gift them to friends and family.

A convenient wireless phone charger

Moshi Otto Q Wireless Charger, available at Amazon, $39.95

Make their life that much easier with a wireless fast-charging pad that they can simply set their phone on top of in order to charge. After years of using the Moshi Otto Q, we ranked this version the best wireless charger you can buy. It's compatible with iPhones, AirPods, Samsung Galaxy/Note, Google Pixel, and other Qi-enabled devices.

A gift card for travel experiences

Gift an Airbnb gift card, from $25

Summer vacation is almost here, and you can help your teacher plan some much-needed time off with an Airbnb gift card that never expires (and can be used for online experiences if they're not comfortable traveling right now).

A small potted plant for their desk

Snake Plant Laurentii, available at The Sill, from $28

Instead of gifting a flower bouquet, try an indoor plant. It lasts longer and requires less maintenance, but livens up their desk just as well. 

A tote bag

BAGGU Giant Pocket Tote, available at BAGGU, $62

BAGGU makes great bags and its machine-washable cotton totes are no exception. Help your teacher carry all those lesson plans, tests, and homework papers with this cute yet sturdy tote. 

An insulated mug

Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Mug, available at Hydro Flask, $24.95

Whatever it is they drink in the morning to prepare them for the school day ahead, this insulated mug keeps the beverage at the appropriate temperature for an astonishingly long amount of time. It has a comfortable handle and comes in many bright colors. 

Takeout any time they want it

Doordash Gift Card, available at DoorDash, from $25

Teachers log long days to support and enrich the lives of their students. Make sure their next easy, delicious dinner and relaxing night in is comped with a Doordash gift card.

A comfortable seat cushion

Purple Seat Cushion, available at Purple, $65

These cushions can help soothe sore muscles and alleviate back strain. They're available in a variety of designs and thicknesses. Read our full review here. 

A way to squeeze in leisure reading

Audible 3-Month Membership, available at Amazon, $45

In between grading papers and designing lesson plans, it might be hard for your teacher to carve out time to read a book (for fun). Audible is a great way to catch up on the bestsellers everyone's reading, appreciate the classics from a new angle, or finally dive into that book they keep falling asleep to in bed. 

Decadent cupcakes they can enjoy

Cupcake Gift Boxes, available at Baked by Melissa, from $34

Who doesn't love getting a sweet surprise? With delicious flavors ranging from Cookie Dough to Pink Frosted Donut, these bite-size treats are sure to please. You can also add a special gift box to complete the gift.

Practical, reusable silicone straws

Five Two Silicone Straws Single Pack, available at Food52, $25

Bendable, sustainable, and portable (thanks to the set of carrying cases), these fun straws are the accessory they can use in their classroom, at home, and on the go.

A coffee subscription

Coffee Subscription, available at Driftaway, from $54.00

Chances are the coffee in the teacher's lounge isn't exactly top-notch. Thankfully, Driftaway Coffee's is, and keeps things interesting by sending new whole bean varieties every month (and improving upon the next selection based on their feedback). By the end of the school year, your teacher will have a good idea of the type of coffee they really like. 

A detailed poster of the opening lines from famous novels

Lab 'Diagrammatical Dissertation on Opening Lines of Notable Novels', available at Pop Chart, $30

English and grammar teachers will appreciate this chart diagramming the opening lines from 25 famous works of fiction. After admiring the partitioned, color-coded picto-grammatical representations, they'll want to read the books all over again. 

A fragrant candle

Otherland Candle, available at Otherland, $36

These sophisticated coconut and soy wax candles come in scents ranging from refreshing Canopy (fig, ivy greens, mint) to rich Chandelier (champagne, saffron, leather). The beautiful look, delightful scents, and personalized matchbox make this candle gifting experience special. 

A heartfelt, personalized thank you card

Personalized Winnie the Pooh Keepsake Greeting Card, available at Etsy, from $5.26

Sometimes it just feels nice to be appreciated. A sweet card can go a long way — and it won't break the bank. 

A personalized notebook, planner, or address book

Teach From The Heart Notebook, available at Minted, $18

Give this one to the best teacher you know. You'll be able to customize the cover design, interior cover, and interior format of the notebook. 

A pillow massager for their neck and back

Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager, available at Amazon, $64.95

If you've ever caught your child's teacher looking stressed or tense, you can fix that with this heated at-home massager that feels almost like a professional massage. It has four deep-kneading rotating nodes to relieve aches, knots, and muscle tension. 

A fun tape dispenser

Otto the Otter Tape Dispenser, available at Amazon, $17.99

An adorable twist to the traditional, ugly tape dispenser will instantly liven up their desk. 

A cute, funny coffee mug

Watch Me Click Now Watch Me Grade Grade mug, available at Etsy, $13.50

A cute mug that reminds them of their grateful students can be a fun, routine moment of motivation in a busy day.

A cellphone stand

Lamicall Cellphone Stand, available at Amazon, $10.99

The simple, sleek, and durable stand is the perfect way to keep their device upright at just the right angle as they work. While it's a no-frills gift, it's undoubtedly practical and useful. 

A personalized desk sign

Personalized Desk Wedge Sign, available at Etsy, from $25.99

The wedge is a solid natural hardwood while the sign is shatter-resistant fogged acrylic glass, allowing it to last through any teacher's illustrious career. 

A gift card to stock up on versatile work shirts

Public Rec gift card, from $25

Public Rec makes the most versatile polo shirt we've found, and many of the offerings from this athleisure brand are suitable for the classroom and beyond.

A custom rubber stamp

Custom Stamp, available at Etsy, from $25

Gift the stamp they'll always reach for first as they check and grade homework. You can get creative by submitting a picture of your teacher's face or their favorite catchphrase. There are three different mount choices and many more size options. 

A book-of-the-month subscription for summer reading

Book of the Month Membership, from three months for $49.99

A hardcover book delivered monthly is a great way for a teacher to unplug and kick their feet up over summer break. Every month, they can choose from acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles.

A cozy plush blanket

Bliss Plush Throw, available at Nordstrom, $39.50

Add to their home setup with a plush throw to wrap themselves in luxury. Available in a wide array of colors, this blanket adds coziness to any room.

A novelty USB flash drive

Pink Pig USB 2.0 Flash Drive, available at Amazon, $12.99

A cute and funny flash drive can instantly make work more fun. Sometimes, it's the little things. 

A smart home device

Amazon Echo Dot, available at Amazon, $27.99

For work or leisure, the small smart home device is endlessly useful. They can play Jeopardy, ask for recipes, listen to the news, turn lights on, play music, reorder products, and more. 

A personalized key ring

Leatherology Hotel Keychain, available at Leatherology, $15

The full-grain leather keychain is a perfectly composed accessory that they'll love to carry, especially if you personalize it (for only $5) with a monogram. 

Beautiful note cube inspired by an American artist

Louis C. Tiffany Favrile Note Cube, available at The Met, $15

Known for his stained glass work, Louis C. Tiffany lends his colorful and delicate designs to this tray, which hold 500 loose paper sheets and 50 color paper clips. 

Gift cards

Buy a gift card from: Amazon, Target, Staples

At the end of the day, teachers will always appreciate a gift card, especially if it's to a store where they can stock up on supplies.