The 28 Best Gifts for Teachers (Because Truly, They're Our Heroes)

It may look like a chic crossbody, but this handbag is actually a stylish take on your standard lunchbox. It's insulated to keep food fresh, has interior pockets for keeping cutlery organized, is available in a hoard of color options and is crafted out of vegan leather. (Fair warning—it's pricey, so you may want to have a few parents chip in on this one.)

From organizing field trips and ideating arts and crafts projects to drafting up lesson plans, a teacher's schedule is...packed. Help them keep their busy bee lifestyle strategically mapped out with a chic planner they can jot everything down in. This one has separate sections for their daily, weekly and monthly calendars, habit trackers, meal planners, shopping lists and prompts for goal-focused journaling. Oh, and the slew of pretty color options certainly doesn't hurt either.

Speaking of coffee, why not give them a gift of an ever-warm cup of Joe with an electric mug warmer? It can keep brew (or tea, cocoa or whatever they're into) warm to an exact degree for hours—ensuring they won't have to sip on an unappealing luke-warm coffee again.

You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who wouldn't be overjoyed at the prospect of getting tasty treats. This assorted tin from Milk Bar comes with delectable, fun flavors like chocolate confetti and cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow that are sure to make them smile.

Most teachers I spoke with said that they would like a gift card of some sort as a token of your appreciation. And while this may go against what some etiquette experts believe, it absolutely makes sense—many teachers are unfortunately terribly underpaid and a gift card can go a long way to help them with their expenses. To make it feel more personal, be sure to include a heartfelt note expressing your gratitude and definitely feel free to pair it with one of the other gift ideas on this list.

Havyn proves that even those with sensitive skin can protect their hands—and enjoy exquisite scents. Our editors were amazed at how this rich cream melts into your skin and leaves it feeling nourished, with a light, gentle scent (002: Grace, a combination of jasmine, fresh rain and lily, is a particular favorite at PureWow). The luxe lotion has been dermatologist and clinically tested by more than a dozen people with eczema to back up its benefits, and it's bound to banish any teacher’s hand-washing blues.

Teachers spend the majority of their work day on their feet, so gifting them a filtering water bottle is a total life-saver. This one in particular holds up to 36 ounces of water so that they can stay hydrated throughout all those math lessons or spelling tests.

Sure, gifting your child's teacher a pencil set may be a little cliché, but this set can be personalized with their name or a funny saying that's sure to give them a giggle as they grade exams.

There's something about receiving a personalized gift that makes a person feel seen and appreciated. Since teachers spend plenty of time grading their student's work, a unique rubber stamp featuring their name and a customizable stick figure will let them give their stamp of approval (pun intended) on homework assignments that's much more personal than the typical gold star.

Sure, this looks like your classic brown paper lunch bag, but it's crafted from a combo of cotton and beeswax, making it both washable and reusable. (And eco-friendly!) It's also waterproof which makes it easy to clean, so your kiddo's teacher can use it to store makeup, writing utensils, random knick knacks or snacks.

We love the whimsical, contemporary design of this (hand blown) glass desktop container—a playful and very convincing plastic bag imposter that can be used to hold paper clips, candy and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Give a valued teacher the gift of a well-stocked kitchen with a gourmet care package from Brightland, the folks behind phenomenal (and award-winning) California olive oils and vinegars. This particular gift basket is an ideal introduction that features two distinct blends of olive oil, as well as two flavored blends (lemon and garlic), all of which are handcrafted from heirloom California olives.

Yes, this one does fall a bit outside the teacher recommendations I found—but hey, teachers cook, too, and a gift that makes time spent in the kitchen feel a little fancier is always a welcome thing, in my opinion.

Eco-friendly and surprisingly attractive, Stasher bags get high marks for form and function. These reusable bags come in pretty colors and a wide variety of sizes to accommodate pretty much any storage need. It’s safe to say a teacher won’t have any trouble putting them to use.

If you’re thinking about giving a plant gift, it doesn't get much sweeter than this—an eye-catching pink and green leafed plant that’s said to bring good luck, fortune and general positivity. It comes nestled in a sleek, upcycled planter and is remarkably easy to keep alive, as it thrives with little care, even in low-light areas.

Show your love for teachers by gifting this pewter sculpture to one you know. This piece of art depicts two hands joining to make the shape of a heart for an uplifting message that’s hard to miss and will bring good vibes when displayed on a desk. Bonus: It also doubles as a paperweight.

This organizer includes sections for vision boards, dot organizers, goal-setting, self-discovery questions, mind maps and more. In other words, this planner clearly goes above and beyond the call of duty—meaning that it will help a teacher stay on schedule and inspired.

These colorful, frosted glass jars are especially eye-catching vessels for aromatics, but the real selling point is that these upcycled planters actually do right by the herbs (i.e., so a human doesn’t have to). Yep, these puppies are outfitted with a hydroponic system that guarantees an herb garden will grow on any sunny windowsill, be it in a classroom or a beloved educator’s kitchen.

If you haven’t seen one of these in person, you don’t know what you’re missing: A desktop sand window is an interactive piece of art with a truly mesmerizing visual effect. It’s like watching an abstract natural landscape move in slow-motion, and the reward is an instant feeling of calm that teachers, students and pretty much everyone else will benefit from.

Another mug on this list? Yes. For the hardcore hydrators (and year-round iced coffee drinkers), there's nothing quite like the Yeti Rambler. This generously sized, stainless steel tumbler with a vacuum-insulated design will keep both cold and hot beverages at the ideal temperature. These puppies are also dishwasher-safe and practically indestructible. Gift one and it will get a lot of use.

This free-standing mini-shelf helps reduce the clutter and can sit atop Teacher's desk or on a side shelf. (It's the sort of organizational self-care that teachers never have time to enact for themselves, so they'll appreciate you lending a hand.)

The gourmet and luxurious teas from Tea Forte are truly an indulgence. This tasting assortment, which includes 20 of their signature, gold-wrapped pyramid infusers, will treat a teacher to a sampling of their ten most delicious blends. Both the flavor and the presentation here are hard to beat. (Psst: This gift is also a great addition to the smart mug listed above.)

A lanyard to a teacher is like a wand to Harry Potter—it's an extension of their own self and they won't be found anywhere without it. If your kiddo's current teacher has a lanyard that's looking a little worse for wear, this whimsical, hand-made design with pink, blue and yellow clay beads and a fun tassel is sure to bring a smile to their face.

This tropical plant boasts gorgeous colorful blossoms for three months of the year and, unlike most orchids, it’s easy to grow indoors. In other words, the teacher in your life doesn’t need to have a green thumb to enjoy its beauty at home or in the classroom for years to come.

A whimsical, wearable gift that’s oh-so fitting for your child’s art teacher, these handmade earrings are designed with incredible detail and they’re downright adorable, too.

A quality pen is a thing of beauty; they’re also quick to go missing, which is why this flawlessly embossed silver one is a winner. Yep, the personalized engraving is equal parts thoughtful and practical—and you can be sure an educator will get a lot of use out of this gorgeous gift.

A well-made and attractive tote bag is an incredibly helpful gift for a teacher. What this one lacks in pockets it makes up for with its sleek, durable design and the range of eye-catching patterns, all designed by independent artists.

This rainbow-colored piece of decor is rustic, cheerful, and basically looks like a million bucks hung on any wall or door. Plus, the string art technique used to craft this handmade number has plenty of tactile appeal, so it’s particularly classroom-friendly. Obviously, the personal touch doesn’t hurt, either.

Teachers have to carry around a lot of stuff, so why not treat one to a tote bag that’s both fashionable and highly functional? This stylish number boasts a durable, water-resistant construction and plenty of pockets to help keep things organized. Plus, it can be overpacked by an additional three liters so it’s great for flexible use—you know, like for work, but also for travel and summer break beach days.