We Asked Educators for the Best End-of-Year Gifts, and They All Want One Thing (2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you know your teacher is into LEGO, the only thing better than getting them a real bouquet of flowers is getting them one they can build out of LEGO. If this set is too extensive, there are also LEGO roses, daffodils or lotus flowers for less than $20.

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.

Perfect for a bag or desk drawer, this little tin has everything a teacher might need "in a pinch," from stain remover and deodorant wipes to bandages and safety pins.

They can take their worksheets to the next level with this laminating machine, which laminates paper and photos up to 9" wide. They won't have to wait in line for the copy machine to run off new copies of instructions, class rules and other often-used texts that wind up crumped and illegible otherwise. Users are so impressed with this machine, it's earned more than 49,600 five-star reviews on Amazon.

If they love home decor, they'll get a kick out of these hand-poured candles, which reviewers say are "beautiful" and smell "really amazing." Take your pick of cactus, which features a blend of pine and vanilla, or go for the poppy with white tea and jasmine.

From lesson plans to to-do lists to whatever musings enter their heads, teachers can always stand to have a notebook on-hand. And, with a laser-engraved design, they'll always know which notebook is theirs. There are also many different designs and styles to choose from.

Elementary school teachers in particular often have to decorate their rooms every year. Help them out with this sweet sign that comes in three designs, and can be personalized with their name.

When a classroom-app note just won't do, they'll appreciate having their own stack of personalized "From the Desk Of" notecards. This one comes with a choice of yellow, green or red apple, but if you don't want to go with the apple motif, you can opt for the No. 2 pencil design.