What Do Teachers Want? 7 Gifts Teachers Secretly wish For
I know firsthand how tricky it can be to find the best gifts for teachers—especially ones they’ll truly love and use. While coffee mugs and candles are nice, most teachers secretly wish for gifts that make their daily lives easier, more enjoyable, or a little less stressful. In this post, I’m sharing the teacher-approved teacher wish list gifts that they secretly hope to receive—and why they’ll love them.
This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.
If you’ve ever wondered what teachers want but weren’t sure where to start, this list will take the guesswork out of gift-giving. Whether you're shopping for a holiday, Teacher Appreciation Week, or an end-of-year thank-you, you’ll find teacher-approved gifts that are both thoughtful and practical.
This post is all about what teachers really want, gifts that teachers secretly hope for—and why they’ll love them.
1. A Personalized, Handwritten Letter—From the Heart
A heartfelt, specific letter from a student or parent about how a teacher has impacted their life is one of the most treasured gifts they could ever receive. Many teachers keep these letters forever. I have a few really special ones that I keep in my desk and I pull them out on hard days to remind myself why I do what I do. I know other teachers do the same!
👉 How to Make It Even More Special: Have a student illustrate the letter, or frame it.
Teacher-Approved Tip 👉 Put it in a keepsake box! If you are able, you can include notes from other students as well!
👉 P.S. A family did this for me once, and it was one of the best teacher gifts I’ve ever received!
2. Meal Delivery Gift Card (Because Teachers Are Exhausted at the End of the Day!)
One of the hardest parts of teaching? Coming home after a long day and still having to figure out dinner. A meal delivery service (like Doordash or UberEats) or a gift card to a local restaurant is an absolute game-changer. It’s a way of saying, I see how hard you work, and you deserve a break.
👉 Teacher-Approved Pick: Send then an email ahead of time and ask what their favorite restaurants are to eat from. You could even ask them what their favorite order is and have it delivered!
3. A Laminator or Label Maker (Because Teachers Secretly Love Laminating and Labeling!)
It sounds ridiculous, but trust me—teachers love a good laminator. It keeps their materials intact year after year, and having a personal one means they don’t have to fight over the school laminator (which is probably jammed anyway).
The same goes for label makers! Specifically, one that teachers can print cute labels with aesthetic classroom designs easily and on the go. I know this is on my own teacher's wish list!
👉 Teacher-Approved Pick: The exact laminator I have (and LOVE!) in my classroom!
👉 Teacher-Approved Pick: The Label Maker I Want!!
5. The Ultimate Desk Comfort Kit (Because Teachers Sit Way More Than You’d Think!)
A teacher’s desk is their home base, and making it comfortable can be a game-changer. Think: a supportive seat cushion, a heating pad for sore muscles, or even a mini desk fan for those why-is-the-heat-still-on-in-May moments. Small upgrades like these can make a huge difference in how they feel throughout the day.
👇 Teacher-Approved Picks:
6. A Personalized, High-Quality Stamp (Because Teachers Sign Their Name 5,000 Times a Year!)
Teachers are constantly signing hall passes, grading papers, and giving feedback. A customized stamp (like one with their name, a fun “Great Job!” design, or even a Bitmoji version of themselves) saves time and adds a personal touch.
👉 Teacher-Approved Pick: I bought this Personalized Teacher Stamp for myself and love it!
7. A “Just for Fun” Surprise (Because Teachers Rarely Treat Themselves!)
Teachers don’t always spend money on themselves or prioritize self care, so a surprise that’s purely for joy—like a set of luxurious hand lotion, face masks for teachers self-care, or a gift card to a local bookstore—can feel extra special.
👇 Teacher-Approved Picks:
Final Thoughts
If you want to give teacher-approved gifts that will be loved and used, think beyond the typical candles and coffee mugs. The best gifts for teachers are the ones that acknowledge their hard work, lighten their load, or bring them a little bit of joy.
Want even more ideas? Check out my other Teacher Gift Guide for even more thoughtful, unique gifts that teachers actually want!
Up Next:
