41 Fun Holiday Staff Appreciation Ideas: Sure to Please Christmas Gifts for Teachers
August 30, 2024
Whether you are part of a school administration, a principal, or a member of a PTA or PTO, we know you want to give holiday gifts that the educators in your life will actually appreciate. But it can be difficult to know what to buy. So, we’ve done the research for you, reviewing teacher discussions on Reddit to find out exactly what they do and don’t like. Based on information from teachers themselves, we’ve compiled a list of the best bulk Christmas gifts for teachers, whether they’re in the form of services, events, or presents.
We have options for every budget and style, and we’ve organized our list into different categories to make your search easier. Whether you’re looking for classroom supplies, services, apparel, celebration ideas, snacks, or something else, we’ve got ideas that will make their holiday season a little merrier. Explore the best holiday gifts for teachers listed below.
Gift Cards with Extra Sparkle
If you need a gift that everyone will love, you can’t go wrong with a gift card. Tuck it into a greeting card or a small gift and write a thoughtful note.
1. Gift Cards
We found that popular gift card options among teachers include Target, Uber, Amazon, Walmart, and Visa, as well as food options such as grocery stores and restaurant food delivery gift cards like Uber Eats. Some teachers may also appreciate a gift card to a local coffee shop.
2. Sweeter Cards Chocolate Greeting Card
Our Sweeter Cards come with a bar of delicious sea salt caramel dark chocolate that will satisfy their sweet tooth.
3. Leeman Tuscany™ Card Holder with Ring
This card holder attaches to their phone and provides a compact way to store credit cards, keycards, IDs, cash – and gift cards. If you need bulk Christmas gifts for teachers, tuck vouchers, coupons, or gift cards into this card holder for a practical gift.
4. Holiday Stocking Ornament
Want to add a little Christmas cheer to your presents? Stuff this miniature stocking with a gift card, candy, and other small giveaways for a fun holiday gift.
5. Business Card Sticky Pack
With a pad of sticky notes and assorted sticky page markers, this sticky pack is the perfect addition to any office or classroom desk. Tuck a gift card into the business card holder to create small and thoughtful Christmas gifts for teachers from the principal.
Classroom Supplies: The Good Ones
Teachers shouldn’t need classroom supplies as gifts, so keep them supplied well throughout the year. But if they’re running short by the end of the semester, they’re sure to appreciate these high-quality writing utensils and craft supplies.
6. Sharpie Fine Point
They know and love these classic Sharpie® markers. Choose from a wide range of vibrant colors and personalize with a holiday message or logo.
7. Quick Draw Retractable Badge Holder with Alligator Clip
With these retractable badge holders, your teaching staff can always keep track of their badges or IDs. These holders extend up to 30 inches for greater convenience.
8. Pilot™ G2® Fine Gel Roller
These pens are known for smooth writing. Whether they’re grading homework, creating lesson plans, or tracking progress, they’ll appreciate these high-quality pens.
9. Combination Clipboard with FSC® Mix Paper Notepad
With a ruled notepad, an interior pocket for extra storage, and a classic clipboard clip, the combination clipboard has it all. They’ll be able to take notes on a hard surface and keep track of loose paperwork and documents.
10. Office-to-Go Kit
Make sure they always have the essentials on hand with this office to-go kit, which includes a stapler, tape, and sticky notes. They can easily slip it into a backpack or tote bag for easy transportation.
11. Low Odor Dry Erase Markers
Dry erase markers are often unreliable and frustrating to use. Gift these high-quality markers so your teachers never run out of ink in the middle of class.
12. Cool Clip Magnetic Clip
They’ll find many uses for this versatile clip, whether as a refrigerator magnet, a chip clip, or a memo clip to keep homework or papers organized.
13. Paper Mate® Flair® Felt Tip Pen
Teachers can never have too many pens, as long as they’re high-quality. We’ve found that this felt tip marker is a popular choice among instructors.
Festive Holiday Snacks
Holiday treats are sure to be a hit, whether they prefer savory snacks or sweet delights. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for teachers from the principal, school administration team, or PTO, these snack boxes will satisfy their cravings.
14. Sami Sweet N' Salty Snack Sack
With a combination of sweet and salty treats, this snack sack has something for everyone. Snacks are packaged in a small reusable cooler bag.
15. Milk Bar™ Cookies
Everyone loves cookies, and these Milk Bar ones come in a reusable cotton gift bag that can be personalized with a holiday message or logo.
16. Comforting Vibes Crate
Are there coffee lovers among your faculty? This crate contains two types of coffee and a couple of baked goods that will start their day off on the right foot. They’re packaged in a convenient and reusable wooden tray.
17. Munch Appreciated Gift Box
Our gift boxes will definitely make them feel appreciated. This one contains a wide variety of snacks, along with a 20oz stainless steel tumbler, our Show Time Selfie Phone Light, and a handwritten, personalized card.
Holiday Celebrations & Services
Offer holiday celebrations and services to your teachers that could be even more meaningful than gifts. These experiences foster community, create memories, and show thoughtful appreciation.
18. Catered Food
Have a high-quality meal catered – and don’t ask your teachers to pitch in for a potluck. Make sure there’s plenty to go around and that there are veggie and gluten-free options. Plan festivities during normal working hours to preserve teacher downtime.
19. Relaxing Massages
Bring in a chair massage masseuse and let your educators sign up for a 15- or 30-minute appointment. Arrange for classroom coverage to make their session extra relaxing.
20. Time Off
Give them a half or full day off work so they can spend the time the way they want – whether it’s sleeping in, doing some Christmas shopping, or hanging out with loved ones.
21. Extra Time for Classroom Setup + Snacks and Drinks
Ensure your teachers have ample time to set up their classrooms before the next semester begins. Consider sending a food and drink cart around during room setup to make the experience more enjoyable. Since tastes can vary widely, we recommend offering different options, such as coffee, fruit, sodas, seltzers, tea, and assorted snacks.
22. Come Late or Leave Early Pass
They get to choose when to use it, and the principal has to cover their class! These are fun holiday gifts for teachers from the principal.
23. Relaxed Dress Codes
Let them show up for work in their comfy clothes, and maybe even encourage them to break out the ugly Christmas sweaters, holiday PJs, and other festive outfits.
24. Personalized Appreciation Note
Write a special note to each teacher, letting them know how important they are to your school community. A note can be a thoughtful way to end 12 days of Christmas gifts for teachers from the principal.
Self-Care Kits that Rejuvenate
Teachers deal with a lot of stress on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the holiday season may not be as relaxing as they’d like. Pass out these self-care gifts just before the holidays to remind them that it’s okay to spend some time on themselves.
25. Pamper Me Set
This set includes a card, vanilla-scented candle, and neck & shoulder wrap that can be heated to relax their shoulders or frozen to soothe achy muscles.
26. Rest and Relax Gift Set
With a scented candle, lip moisturizer, lotion, and a gel eye mask, they’ll have everything they need for a calming self-care session. This set is packaged in a jute bag that has plenty of room for personalization.
27. Modern Sprout® Shine Bright Take Care Sunflower Kit
Brighten up their holiday season with a sunflower grow kit, facial mist, and sugar scrub.
28. Calm and Relax Cozy Gift Set
This set comes with a massage gun that will relax and loosen up their muscles, as well as a sound machine with six soothing sounds to help them unwind after a long day.
School Spirit Apparel & Accessories
Teachers love school logo apparel and school spirit items, but they aren’t fans of low-quality clothing and they certainly have enough cheap mugs, tumblers, tote bags, and candles. Instead, get quality school promotional items for them, and consider purchasing name brands they trust. Popular items include t-shirts, polos, vests, sweatshirts and hoodies, fleeces, tumblers and drinkware, and embroidered backpacks.
29. Matte Finish Traveler Vest
Is your school located in an unpredictable climate? We recommend purchasing these vests as bulk Christmas gifts for teachers and handing them out for those chilly days.
30. Osprey Arcane™ Large Day Backpack
Give our name-brand bags, totes, and backpacks to your teachers so they always have a reliable way to transport books, laptops, and papers. Add your logo to this Osprey backpack for a durable and practical PTO Christmas gift for teachers.
31. Casa Sweater Fleece Pullover
Looking for cozy Christmas gifts for teachers from the principal? Have the name of your school embroidered on these fleece pullovers and keep your staff warm and looking professional.
32. 16 oz Corkcicle® Tumbler
This is the tumbler they’ll reach for every morning. Whether they prefer hot tea or iced coffee, this vacuum-sealed cup will keep their drink the way they like it for hours.
HR/Management Upgrades
When brainstorming gifts for teachers at Christmas from the boss, principal, or school organization, we recommend thinking outside the box. Here are some ideas that might be on teacher wish lists all year round.
33. Fewer Meetings
Meetings sometimes feel like a waste of time – and maybe they are. Think about ways to cut back on the frequency or length of faculty meetings. Your teachers will thank you for it.
34. Less Micromanagement
Let your teachers be creative in the classroom and create a unique learning environment for their students. They’ll find their job more enjoyable – and their students will love it too!
35. Dealing with Problem Students
No one knows students like their teacher, and a single student can disrupt an entire classroom. Give your teachers options to help them effectively deal with challenging students.
36. Limit PLC Meetings
Avoid PLC meetings during the first week of school and other busy times throughout the school year, such as the holidays. Consider ending meetings early when possible.
37. Send Emails Instead
Don’t hold meetings that could have been emails. They’ll appreciate the efficiency and time saved.
Handy Everyday Items
These are things they might forget to bring on a bad day. Pass them out as PTA Christmas gifts for teachers or holiday presents from the principal. They’ll be delighted that you thought of these everyday items for them!
38. First Aid Kit with Pouch
In a classroom full of kids, first aid kits are sure to be in high demand. Every teacher should keep one of these kits around so they always have the essentials on hand, whether they need a bandage, hand sanitizer, or first aid cream.
39. Compact Sewing Kit
This sewing kit fits into a purse, tote bag, or glove compartment, making it easy to repair small tears and lost buttons on the go.
40. Travel Manicure Kit
When it’s been one of those mornings, this travel manicure kit ensures their nails look clean and professional no matter how busy they are.
41. On-The-Go Stain Remover Stick
Spills and stains happen in a classroom, so keep your teachers prepared for them with this convenient stain remover stick. It works instantly on many common stains.
Your teachers have an important, rewarding, and difficult job. Sometimes, all it takes is a small holiday gift or thoughtful gesture to remind them how much they love what they do. Whether you’re a principal or involved in a PTO or school administration, make sure that the teachers in your life know how much they’re appreciated and valued as part of your school community. Purchase bulk employee appreciation gifts, thoughtful thank-you gifts, or holiday corporate gifts and show gratitude in a meaningful way.
