There are certain people who are harder to shop for than others. Teachers tend to be among that group since you want to get them something meaningful without it being trite. Gift cards are always a win, but they aren’t the most sentimental of gifts. Ornaments are sentimental, but how many “No. 1 Teacher” ornaments can one teacher hang on a tree? Gifts like bags and phone stands are practical but lack that something special.
Traditional teacher imagery like apples and pencils can be gaudy, but when done right can be gosh-darn delightful. And personalizing a gift is a surefire way to make it stand out in a sea of presents. We have combed through all the personalized teacher gifts on the market today to bring you a list that we think strikes that perfect balance of sentimentality, tastefulness, and practicality!
Quick tip: Check your school’s gift policy before giving; some prohibit homemade treats and/or gifts over a certain monetary value.
(Note: WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Personalized Gift Card Holder
Regardless of whether it is for Target, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon, if there is one gift that is universally loved amongst teachers, it is definitely a gift card. This beautifully engraved gift card holder will make your gift even more special.
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Gift Card Holder at Etsy
2. Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt
Who doesn’t love a cozy, quarter-zip sweatshirt, especially during the fall and winter months? Unlike some personalized teacher apparel on the market, this one is tasteful in its simplicity.
Buy it: Apple Zip Pullover at Etsy
3. Lanyard
Every teacher needs a lanyard so why not gift them one of these pretty beaded ones with their name engraved on it?
Buy it: Personalized Beaded Lanyard at Etsy
4. Personalized Greeting Card
Although store-bought gifts are great, teachers consistently rank handmade thank-you notes atop any list of their favorite gifts. This card offers personalization while giving your child the chance to add their own special touch.
Buy it: Oversized Coloring Greeting Card at Personalization Mall
5. Personalized Notepads
We love the idea of a teacher gift that is equally cute and useful. Teachers have to write a lot of notes, so this saves them the hassle of having to sign their name.
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Notepad at Etsy
6. Monogrammed Tote Bag
Teachers have to carry a lot of stuff to and from school, so gift them this sturdy and roomy canvas tote bag. While this bag is perfect for the workday, it will transition well to any time thanks to the sophisticated black-and-white design and overall lack of traditional teacher symbols like pencils or apples.
Buy it: BeeGreen Initial Canvas Tote Bag at Amazon
7. Personalized Phone Stand
A busy teacher could easily misplace their phone during the day, which is why a good phone stand makes for a perfect gift. Though the stand is attractive enough on its own, the personalization in a pretty font really puts this gift over the top!
Buy it: Leather Phone Stand at Etsy
8. Personalized Cosmetic Bag
We love the versatility of this sweet personalized bag since it can be used in school for pencils and pens or at home for makeup or, really, anything!
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Cosmetic and Makeup Bag at Amazon
9. Rainbow Sweatshirt
This sweatshirt was just so pretty, we couldn’t resist including it in our list of personalized teacher gifts. While all the traditional teacher symbolism is present, it is done in an understated and attractive way. We think teachers would be proud to where this sweatshirt in school or even in the grocery store!
Buy it: Personalized Rainbow Sweatshirt/Fleece at Etsy
10. Personalized Whistle
Sometimes the teachers that teach specials like wellness or music can easily get overlooked during the holiday gifting season. Let your favorite PE teacher know how much you appreciate them by gifting them a personalized whistle!
Buy it: Personalized Whistle at Amazon
11. Personalized Whiteboard Eraser
Whiteboards get used frequently during the school day so this personalized eraser will make for a perfect gift for just about any teacher. We especially love that no one will be able to steal it since it’s officially branded!
Buy it: Personalized Whiteboard Eraser Gift Set at Etsy
12. Personalized Flair Sticker
These stickers are undeniably cute and just had to be included in our list of personalized teacher gifts. While you can take our word for it, why not take the word of an actual teacher who said, “I love my new Flair sticker!! It looks so cute on my teacher planner!”
Buy it: Personalized Flair Pen Sticker at Etsy
13. Personalized Labels
Teachers tend to be among the most organized people we know, so why not help them keep things nice and tidy with these adorable personalized labels. Since gifts like mugs and ornaments can pile up at home for a teacher, a useful yet still thoughtful one like this one will be sure to stand out in a crowd.
Buy it: This Belongs to Labels at Etsy
14. Desk Organizer
This personalized wooden box would work equally well as a planter or a desk organizer. This thoughtful gift will surely bring a smile to your favorite teacher’s face.
Buy it: Personalized Desk Organizer/Planter at Etsy
15. Personalized Scissors
Regardless of the borrower’s best intentions, we bet that items like scissors, staplers, and other supplies often get “lost” when lent to other teachers or students. Gift your teacher a personalized pair or two of scissors so that will never happen again!
Buy it: Custom Engraved Scissors at Etsy
16. Personalized Teacher Stamp
Teachers probably spend more money on stickers annually than any other group of consumers so they will be thrilled to have a personalized stamp to use instead. Before wrapping it, throw in a few different-colored ink pads as well!
Buy it: Teacher Stamper at Etsy
17. Personalized Door Sign
We love this gift idea especially for first-year teachers. We can’t think of anything more welcoming to students and visitors than this sweet sign.
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Sign for Classroom at Amazon
18. Personalized Socks
Give your teacher something they can wear on Silly Sock Day at school. Equally funny and practical, this gift will keep your teacher’s feet warm while bringing a smile to their face.
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Socks at Personalization Mall
19. Personalized Candy Jar
We love that this holiday jar can be used in the classroom and also in a teacher’s home. Teachers can use it to fill with buttons or tickets for good behavior, then when filled, a prize can be awarded.
Buy it: Personalized Watercolor Wreath Candy Jar at Personalization Mall
20. Personalized Pen and Pencil Holder
Seasoned teachers likely already own several pen and pencil holders, but this one has to be the prettiest we’ve seen. Since it is so special, we think your teacher might want to use it to house their favorite pens that they don’t want to lend out.
Buy it: Personalized Pencil Holder at Personalization Mall
21. Fleece Throw
Regardless of what your profession is, everyone could use another cozy throw blanket. This would make an especially great gift for teachers who also coach or attend those chilly fall sporting events. We also love the variety of options for blanket colors and fonts.
Buy it: Personalized Fleece Throw at Etsy
22. Teacher Necklace
Unlike other teacher necklaces on the market, this one is understated and tasteful enough to be worn with almost any outfit. Some personalized teacher gifts are practical, but this one is 100 percent sentimental, and we just love that.
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Necklace at Etsy
23. Bookmark
We think this would be a perfect gift for your school’s librarian or really any teacher that loves to read. Unlike a normal bookmark, this one will serve as a happy reminder of a beloved student.
Buy it: Personalized Bookmark at Etsy
24. Personalized Tumbler
We love that these water bottles, which have rave reviews, come in a variety of options so you can customize them to suit your favorite teacher’s personality. Regardless of whether your teacher likes to stay hydrated with water or motivated with coffee, these bottles offer 24 hours of cold or 8 hours of hot liquids.
Buy it: Personalized Water Bottle at Etsy
25. Personalized Coaster
These coasters are just oh-so unique while also serving a necessary function of protecting your favorite table or desk. They will undoubtedly be a conversation piece wherever they are found!
Buy it: Personalized Teacher Coaster at Etsy
26. Custom Portrait Stamp
While it might be tricky to get your hands on a picture of your teacher, it will be totally worth it to surprise them with this quirky gift. As far as personalized teacher gifts go, it doesn’t get much more personal than a stamp with your teacher’s face on it!
Buy it: Custom Stamp at Etsy
27. Personalized Laptop Bag
Teachers have to lug their laptops back and forth from home to school and likely wear out their computer bags quickly. This sturdy bag will make for a practical gift that you can really personalize since it comes in a variety of colors and monogram options.
Buy it: Monogrammed Computer Bag at Amazon
28. Custom Pencils
Let’s face it, teachers go through a lot of pencils in a year. Since students often lose their pencils, some teachers are resorting to a year-long pencil challenge where students are tasked with keeping track of their pencil for a whole school year. At the end of the year, the students who still have their original pencils are awarded prizes. Why not gift your teacher with a set of custom pencils with their name on them that they can use for just such a challenge?
Buy it: Engraved Pencils at Etsy
29. Teacher Apple
Instead of gifting your teacher an actual apple like in the old days, gift them this beautiful, customizable wooden apple. While it doesn’t serve a practical function, it sure does look pretty on a shelf!
Buy it: Engraved Teacher Appreciation Apple at Etsy
30. Personalized Pen Set
This gift set is advertised as a gift for a professor but would work equally well for a teacher at any level. While a pen isn’t the most original of personalized teacher gifts, it is practical. This one is made extra special thanks to the personalized note you can include on the case.
Buy it: Wooden Pen Set at Etsy
31. Personalized Travel Case
We can’t think of any jewelry lover that wouldn’t go gaga over this sweet, personalized travel jewelry case. We especially love the added layer of personalization that the birth flower selection adds. The color choices are plentiful too!
Buy it: Birth Flower Travel Jewelry Case at Etsy
Looking for more ideas? Check out these 20 great stocking stuffers for teachers.
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Kristy Zamagni-Twomey
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