Teacher Gift Guide: Christmas Gifts for Students That Don’t Break the Bank
Teachers look for Christmas gifts that are cute, affordable, and easy to give—without spending a fortune. If you’re searching for Christmas gifts for students from teachers, this list brings together real ideas shared by real teachers in our teacher discussion forums, including low-cost treats, simple personalized gifts, classroom coupons, books, and fun experience-based alternatives. Whether you teach elementary or upper grades, you’ll find options that fit your budget and your classroom.
🎁 Extra Easy Gift Ideas for Busy Teachers
Custom Name Book – Personalized, meaningful, and unforgettable. Kids love seeing their name in print.
Silly Straw – Cute for younger grades and easy to buy in bulk.
📘BOOKS & READING GIFTS
“I usually use my Scholastic points to buy one or two books per student.” — Missy “Books — it’s really the best gift we can give them.” — halpey1 “I get free class sets of books from Scholastic and save them for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.” — daisyduck123 “One year I bought $1 books from Scholastic — The Magician’s Nephew.” — gr3teacher “Kids could request a book and teachers opted in to buy it.” — viola_x_wittrockiana
Easy add-on ideas:
bookmark with their name
a personalized note tucked inside
a candy cane or hot cocoa packet
bookplate sticker (“This book belongs to…”)
reading buddy stuffed animal (tiny Dollar Tree plush)
🎁SIMPLE & LOW-COST GIFTS
“Candies and lollipops, that’s it.” — Teachingtoo “The occasional chocolate bar for my home group.” — blazer “I bought chocopie for my favorite class. That’s it.” — tuankiet153 “Coffee mugs with a packet of hot chocolate and a candy cane.” — Go 4th “Treat bag with an eraser, pencil, and a magnet I made on Vistaprint.” — Miss Kirby
More easy ideas:
holiday pencils
mini erasers
stickers
gel pens
fidget rings
fun notepads
stress balls
slap bracelets
keychains
themed socks
✨PERSONALIZED GIFTS STUDENTS LOVE
“I created holiday magnets on Vistaprint.” — Miss Kirby “I made magnets that said: ‘Mrs. A thinks I’m a STAR!’” — Aliceacc “Personalized pencils from Atlas (79 cents).” — Tbelle1035 “The kids loved having their own copy of the book.” — keeley73
Easy personalized ideas you can make or order:
name bookmarks
personalized crayons
name tags for backpacks
chalkboard-style name art
mini photo card with a message
small class photo with a holiday or end-of-year border
🎫 COUPON & PRIVILEGE GIFTS (FREE!)
“I give my fifth graders a holiday-themed paper with privileges. They choose one from each column. They love it.” — Crazy4Kids
Privilege ideas:
sit by a friend
skip one homework assignment
choose your seat for the day
helper for the day
read with a buddy
extra classroom job
teacher’s chair for a lesson
line leader pass, hallway pass, recess buddy pass
Great for: no-budget, large classes, inclusive gifting.
🎀CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE GIFTS
“A cozy day watching a winter movie makes them very happy.” — otterpop “My students do better with their regular routine… I add academic games like word bingo.” — waterfall “Game time or extra recess is more appreciated than any gift.” — CherryOak “Breakfast — donuts and cocoa — was more appreciated than gifts.” — Maryhf
Experience ideas:
game day
read-aloud party
“camping day” with flashlights
drawing or art time
board game hour
outside lesson day
pajama + stuffed animal day
teacher talent show (they LOVE this)
💌NOTES, KEEPSAKES & HEARTFELT GIFTS
“I bake shortbread with a personalized note. They really appreciate the note.” — rpan “We wrote a kind note to a different student every day. They got all the notes before break — huge hit.” — Missy
Free or nearly free heartfelt ideas:
handwritten note to each student
“What I love about you as a learner” mini card
class memory booklet of favorite moments
affirmations card set (one per student)
tiny envelopes with encouraging messages
Polaroid-style printed photo with a note
“This year you…” accomplishment card
These work beautifully for end of year and student-teacher gifts.
📝GIFTS FOR OLDER STUDENTS (OR LARGE CLASSES)
Older kids can be tricky — but simple + practical works.
“I teach HS and have over 100 students — no gifts.” — Ima Teacher “I give mini candy canes as they leave for break.” — MissCeliaB
