We Asked Educators for the Best End-of-Year Gifts, and They All Want One Thing (2025)

When it comes to end-of-year teacher gifts, we all know what families usually buy: apple-festooned items, candles and goodies to eat. But are those the items that teachers most want to receive?

To find out, more than 40 teachers were surveyed for this story about what gifts teachers like best. The pool of respondents were all educators, either currently working or retired, who taught different grade levels at different schools across the country. They were promised that their names wouldn't be used so as not to offend any well-meaning families who missed the mark. That way, they could really open up about what they believed were the best teacher gifts to get from students.

Something almost all the teachers shared: They really do believe that it's the thought that counts, and notes, handwritten letters, handmade items or home-baked goodies were really valued. But we know that they deserve a little something extra to go with all of those well wishes.

So, what to get? Though their schools, locations, subjects and experiences may be different, our teachers agreed on one thing: Gift cards are gold. They really do want them, and the more versatile the cards are (Amazon, Target and Visa were the most requested), the better. And, since some families don't feel comfortable giving gift cards — or like to give something small with a gift card — we've come up with more teacher-approved recommendations.

Some guiding hints from the respondents: It helps to get to know your teacher and their preferences personally. For every educator that said they loved candy, there was another who said if they never saw another Godiva box again, it would be too soon. (Food, coffee, mugs, candles and wine were the most divisive, showing up on both the "most wanted" and "least wanted" lists.) Teachers warned to steer clear of anything that really requires you to know their personal taste, like jewelry or fragrances, and they also agreed that they'd rather get something personalized with their names on it than something with an apple that just says "teacher." With those in mind, check out some of the best teacher gifts for 2024.

After gift cards, personalized items came up the most often as a much-wanted gift. So teachers will delight in their very own stamps, created to look just like them, with their hairstyle, facial hair, glasses and other accessories. You can get them for male teachers and female teachers, and you can also personalize the text.

These are wonderful for anyone who has crossing-guard duty or needs to supervise recess. They can last up to four hours on a single charge, and they come in several colors and patterns.

With a 16 oz can-shaped class, a bamboo lid and two glass straws, they'll get to use this over and over for their favorite cold drinks. And, when they do, they'll smile about all the "ingredients" that go into making a good teacher.

They say an elephant never forgets, and with this desk organizer a teacher will never forget where they put their pens, scissors or phone. It comes in three patterns.

The same travel tumbler that's used en masse by students last is also a hit with their teachers. And, with the ability to hold a whipping 40 oz of liquid, we get it. The insulation keeps beverages hot or cold, which is helpful for a teacher that has to stand up and talk in front of a class all day. Just don't forget the straw cover to go with it!

You know if you have that kind of crafty, DIY, Teachers Pay Teachers type of teacher, and if you do, you can help them take their bulletin boards, class giveaways and projects to the next level with a Cricut machine. It'll help them cut out precise patterns on cardstock, vinyl decals, iron-ons and more.

Teachers more than most need to keep sanitizing their hands. With this set of 10, they can stash sanitizer in every corner of the classroom — plus their bag and car. You can even get them a fun holder that'll clip to their bag.

While our teachers asked for desk plants, they said nothing about the pots they come in. This two-pack features pots with cute messages designed to make teachers' hearts melt. All you have to do is get a succulent or air plant to pop in it, and you're good to go.

Lots of teachers say that what they want most, above gifts, are hand-written notes. But if your student finds it hard to get the words out, this journal helps them make it easy by offering fill-in-the-blanks that'll get the inspiration flowing. The class can even work on it together and make it a group gift.

Our teachers said they'd much rather have something with their name on it than something that said, "World's Greatest Teacher." This tote bag has outside mesh pockets for easy access and an optional interior organizer. If you really want to be a teacher's pet, you can fill it with items like tissues, sanitizing wipes and pencils — supplies that are always in demand.

An Amazon gift card was far-and-away the most requested gift on our teachers' lists. And it makes sense: You're giving them what they want most — something they can pick out themselves. This one even comes in its own gift box, and all you have to do is add a thoughtful note.

Perfect for a reading or English teacher, these name plates are made from repurposed Scrabble tiles. You can also add in an apple, star or heart embellishment in the beginning. It's a great just-a-little-something that won't take over their whole desk.

After a busy school day, they'll appreciate unwinding with these aromatherapy shower steamers. The lavender scent is supposed to instill calm, something every teacher needs.

Another ingenious place to stash a gift card? Inside one of these pouches. They're made to go around a travel water cup like the Stanley Quencher, so that Teach can carry their IDs and keys and stay one-hand-free. But even if they don't have a beverage tumbler, there are a million places to clip this in where it'll be useful.

One teacher made it plain: "Wine is an acceptable teacher gift — don’t believe the hype." If you don't want to go for the bottle alone, you can gift it in this reusable tote, which can be frozen so the wine so the wine stays cool during transport.

One teacher mentioned Vera Bradley totes specifically as a welcomed gift, and we can see why: They're big enough to carry a helpful amount of stuff, they come in such fun prints and the quilted cotton keeps it from digging into a shoulder. Vera Bradley's ID holders with lanyards also hold just the right amount of cards and keys.

All the sanitizing and hand-washing teachers do to keep from getting sick is hard on the skin. This lotion is soothing and helps fight against the dryness.

Nobody said school supplies had to be devoid of personality. This set of six sticky notepads gives teachers a place to write their notes and reminders, but also might give them a chuckle.

After another memorable school year filled with ups and downs, they'll need a place to reflect on every moment. This 130-page journal has room for their students' favorite stories, space for a class photo and much more.

A teacher will never run out of reasons to use blank note cards. These come with cool interpretations of four different Frank Lloyd Wright geometric designs, and the set comes with 16 cards and envelopes.