Gifts for Female Teacher
A majority of teachers are female, so I feel like I would be remiss writing a blog of Christmas gifts for teachers without including a page of gift ideas for female teachers. But the truth is that most of the gifts on this site are appropriate for women — even the ones I included on our page of gifts for male teachers (although the converse is not true, hence the inclusion of a separate page for male teachers).
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a gift for a teacher is to consider their interests. Even if you’ve never met them personally and have only seen their classroom once on Parent-Teacher Night (you did go to Parent Teacher Night, right?), there’s still a lot you can infer to help you in choosing the right gift.
For example, does the teacher display many handmade decorations around her classroom? Does she have prominent bookshelves, and if so, what kinds of books are on display? Ask your child what kinds of personal information the teacher has shared– for example, if she mentions going to the movies, you might get a gift certificate to the local cinema. If she talks about travel to Europe, a picture book for her favorite destination would probably be appreciated.
Whatever you choose as a gift for a female teacher, make sure you don’t forget the most important part: a genuine and heartfelt note of appreciation thanking the teacher for their work. They will treasure this note for years to come, and that’s the greatest gift you could give a teacher!
Last but not least, make sure you’re aware of school guidelines on gift-giving, and the teacher’s perspective on gifts, as discussed on my Advice page.
Gift Ideas for a Female Teacher
If you’re looking for some more concrete suggestions, I recommend starting with my list of Recommended Gifts for Teachers. I also have another list specifically for teacher Christmas gifts, and one with suggested gifts for new teachers.
And here a few specific gifts for female teachers, if you’re really looking for something that is particularly good for women (in general, of course!):
Ladies, I apologize in advance if the gifts on this page seem a bit stereotypically feminine. As I mention above, elsewhere on this site you’ll find ideas which will work for all teachers, including woman. So I decided to make this page about gifts that are most likely appropriate only for women.
Therepe Spa Candle Gift Set
Perfect gift for a teacher who could use a bit of relaxation!Give the gift of spa! Shop SpaFinder.com
A visit to the spa is appreciated by nearly all women I know, but is a particularly good gift for younger female teachers.
Therepe Soy Candles
These scented candles from Therepe are soy-based, meaning no harmful petroleum products are used, and they burn up to 10 times longer than conventional candles!
Apple Pendant Jewelry for Teacher
For the truly special teacher, this pendant makes a gift that they will never forget!Make a Donation in their Honor
Here’s a great gift idea: Make a donation on behalf of the teacher to an organization that you know they would like to support. Include a note telling them how they inspire you with the good work that they do.A Day at the Spa
A trip to the spa is a luxury that few teachers can afford on their own. But how many would like it? Ummm, pretty much all of them could use that kind of relaxation!
Gingerbread Cookie-scented Bath and Body Kit
A very unique Christmas gift for female teacher!
Apple for the Teacher Bookmark
Never has a teacher enjoyed an apple this much! Great gift for female teachers.
Gingerbread Cookie-scented Bath and Body Kit
Like a day at the spa, but in one low-priced gift basket!
Gingerbread Cookie-scented Bath and Body Kit
Female teachers in particular will love the treats in this reasonably-priced gift basket.
Citrus Spa Pampering Kit
What teacher couldn’t use a little pampering from time to time? Great gift for Teacher Appreciation Week!Gift Cards for Less than Face Value!
If you’re still not finding inspiration with this list of gifts for teachers, you can always go for the old standby: gift cards! Gift cards are honestly a very welcome gift from all the teachers I spoke with — it’s not like your buying for your S.O. and need to demonstrate how well you know them. With teachers it’s likely and normal that you don’t actually know them well, which is one major reason that gift cards are so popular. Consider getting your gift cards from Plastic Jungle so that you can buy them at less than face value!
Teachers, help us make this list better!
Are you a woman and a teacher! Well, you’re in luck! In the brief moment that it takes to make a comment on the bottom of this post, you have the opportunity to help your fellow teachers everywhere by informing well-intentioned but clueless parents what it is that you really would like to receive as a gift. I’ll make sure your comments are added to this post!
People who looked at this item also looked at…
Related items
Gift Ideas for a Male Teacher
Buying a gift for a male teacher? No problem! The general advice on choosing the right gift for teachers remains the same, but of course you should take into account that men often have different preferences than women.
For example, that trip to the spa may not make such a good gift anymore. “Old favorites” like ornaments, pins, decorations, candles, lotion, etc. are similarly less suited for a male teacher than a female teacher (in general).
Perhaps the biggest challenge is that male teachers are (again, speaking in generalities here) often less likely to be very sentimental about handmade gifts and purely symbolic gifts (”#1 Teacher”, etc.) — in general, men prefer something useful.
Fortunately, there are a number of great gifts for male teachers that you can get which are quite useful and will still allow you to express your creativity and personality.
Suggested Gifts for a Male Teacher
Teacher’s Water Bottle
Everyone likes these cool stylish water bottles — might as well have one that shows you’re proud to be a teacher!
Book: New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons
Apparently teachers are a source of great humor for the witty intellectuals at the New Yorker.Personalized M&Ms!
Sweet gift idea for the creative chocolate-lover: personalized M&Ms! Personalize with school logo, name, teacher’s name — even pictures of the students in your class!
Book: I Remember My Teacher
David Shribman’s quest to explore the role teachers have played in the lives of ordinary people (one for every day of the year) will warm the heart of any teacher.
Plastic Jungle is one of those ideas so simple and brilliant you wish you’d thought of it: people sell their unwanted gift cards for less than face value; you can therefore buy a great gift card for a teacher at less than its cash value! The recipient doesn’t know that you got a great deal (although I hope they wouldn’t mind anyway!), and you get a lot more bang for your buck.
Teacher’s Coffee Mug
Coffee mugs are a popular gift for a reason: everyone can use more coffee mugs! This one stands out with a unique hand-painted sculpted ceramic design.
Teachers Rule Coffee Mug
Another cute coffee mug gift for teachers. This can be personalized with your child’s name, teacher’s name, class year, etc — it just takes a little (non-toxic) paint and a little patience!
Teacher’s Movie Night
How about a movie night that helps remind them what a huge impact teachers make on the world? Pair a few great teaching DVDs with a basket of popcorn and a thank-you card.
Tea for Teacher Mug Gift Set
If you don’t feel like putting together a homemade gift mug for your teacher, you can buy one ready-made that will look just like a homemade gift for only a few dollars more.
People who looked at this item also looked at…
Gifts for New Teachers
“The exception to [not giving large gifts] though, is for new teachers. These young pups make crap for money and the PTA (bless their hearts) can’t possibly provide a big enough classroom budget for them to buy all the supplies and ”extras” (that’s sarcasm) they need. So if you want to give your teacher a valuable gift, ask her/him what s/he really needs for the classroom and spring for it. I’m talking heavy duty pencil sharpeners, gift certificate to STAR Teacher’s supply on San Pablo Ave., art supplies from East Bay Depot or gift card to an art store, a local book store (Pegasus and Black Oak being my favorites). Things like this become theirs, not the school’s, and they can bring them from grade to grade, school to school, as they will have to do until they have enough seniority to stay somewhere for a while.” ~Teacher in California
So that’s the upshot — be as generous as you can to the new teachers!!! An Old Teacher Who Once Was New
New teachers might appreciate a different kind of gift than experienced veterans. Of course this varies from teacher to teacher, but at risk of over-generalizing, new teachers tend to be more interested in developing their careers, and may be more likely to keep homemade gifts than more experienced teachers.
Of course new teachers are also generally younger, and that will affect their interests. For example, a younger teacher might prefer a trip to the spa, a unique experience, and anything that will help them in their professional development (books, supplies, etc.). On the other hand, those home-baked brownies might be less welcome for the young teacher on a diet, and that “#1 Teacher” broach — well, she probably won’t even know how to wear it.
Most importantly, keep in mind the advice I gave on choosing a gift for teachers — the best gifts combine something personal and thoughtful, like a handmade card, a heartfelt note, a craft made by your child, etc. with something practical and useful, like gift cards, school supplies, or other consumables. Whether a gift for new teachers or old, following this recipe will ensure your gift is appreciated and cherished.
Some Suggestions for Gifts for New Teachers:
Book: Reluctant Disciplinarian
For some reason new teachers are always the most reluctant disciplinarians– I know I certainly was. To help them find the right balance in an unruly classroom, consider this book as a great gift for new teachers!
Book: The Creative Teacher
These are the kinds of lessons that any new teacher can put to use– a gift that’s both appreciated and beneficial for her students!
Book: First Year Teacher Survival Guide
I would get this as a gift for any friends who go into teaching — and you should too!- Teacher’s Water Bottle
Everyone likes these cool stylish water bottles — they are hip and environmentally friendly, just like new teachers! 
Book: 101 Answers for New Teachers
Because even teachers need the answer sometimes! Great christmas gift for a new teacher.
A visit to the spa is appreciated by nearly all women I know, but is a particularly good gift for younger female teachers.
Book: 101 Answers for New Teachers
Everything a new teacher needs.
Experience Day
Here’s a unique gift that definitely won’t be taking up space in the back of the closet: Experience Days from Great American Days allow you to treat a teacher to something that they otherwise might not be able to try: a day at the spa, a surfing lesson, cooking lessons, etc. There’s something for everyone, from Great White Shark diving to Biplane Flights. A day of adventure makes a great gift for new teachers.
Book: The Truth About Teaching
Finally, someone spills the beans and admits what teaching is really like!- Citrus Spa Pampering Kit
What teacher couldn’t use a little pampering from time to time? Great gift for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Gift cards are always the most-requested gift from all of the teachers I spoke with — both new teachers and experienced veterans. Consider buying your Gift Cards from Plastic Jungle — you’ll pay less, and they’ll ship it to you for free!
Book: Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire
New teachers can always use something to help them with their teaching, and this story of inspiring teacher Rafe Esquith is both motivation and practical lessons any teacher can use.
New Teachers, What Gifts Would You Like This Year?
If you are a new teacher, please take this opportunity to tell us what gifts you would like to receive. You can leave a comment in the box below, and I’ll make sure to add your comments to the site, where it can benefit new teachers everywhere. Thank you!
Teacher Christmas Gifts
Despite the seeming difficulty of choosing a Christmas gift for a teacher, the rewards can be worth it: some of the teachers I surveyed said that receiving gifts and thank you notes from their students (and their parents) was one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching. Some retired teachers I know have kept all of the thank you notes and gifts they’ve ever received over the years, proudly displaying them as evidence of the many lives they’ve touched. Teachers do one of the most important jobs out there, yet they generally don’t receive a lot of prestige (or pay). Giving a thoughtful gift is an opportunity for you to show how much you appreciate the work that they do. A great gift for teachers doesn’t have to cost a lot of money — the most important thing is the thoughtfulness and care you put in to the gift, which shows the teacher that you truly respect them and appreciate what they do — and that is a gift that they will truly always cherish!
Our Suggestions for the Best Teacher Christmas Gifts
The following list of teacher Christmas gifts is just a starting point. Please make sure to also read my advice on how to choose a Christmas gift for a teacher, and my list of recommended gift ideas for teachers. You can also browse according to gift occasion, recipient, or type, by using the navigation menu on the right hand side of the page.
Author David Shribman spoke with 365 people of all ages and backgrounds to find out about the role that teachers played in their lives. What emerged is a story as surprising as it is heartwarming, and one of the best books for truly understanding the enormous impact that teachers have in our society. A gift that will be appreciated by pretty much any teacher!
Gift cards and gift certificates are almost always the most-wished for gift among teachers, and they are especially practical when you don’t know them very well. But how do you make a gift card a bit more personal and unique? Finally, someone came up with a solution: GiftCards.com lets you customize gift cards with a picture of your child or a thank you note, making this gift both personal and useful!
Apparently teachers are a source of great humor for the witty intellectuals at the New Yorker, as they’ve produced an entire book of cartoons just about teachers, making for a perfect gift for a teacher with a great sense of humor. Try this one for your English teacher, art teacher, philosophy teacher, or any other intellectual teacher, as they are probably most likely to be a fan of the New Yorker!
Print a photo of the class on a coffee cup or a mouse pad. Make a calendar with all your child’s favorite memories from the year. With a few photos and a little bit of imagination, the opportunities for great gifts for teachers are endless!
Give the gift of good health! As you can imagine, teachers and daycare providers go through a lot of hand sanitizer around this time of year, making this a very practical and appreciated gift, especially for elementary school teachers and kindergarten teachers.
Use this super-cute apple basket as the starting point of a unique homemade gift basket with your teacher’s favorite foods, a book or two, and a sincere thank you card. Voila! The perfect Christmas gift for teachers!
Elegant yet understated, leave it to Lenox to make a beautiful Christmas ornament gift that won’t just get thrown away!
Like a relaxing day at the spa, but in one low-priced gift basket!
A visit to the spa is appreciated by nearly all women I know, but is a particularly good gift for younger female teachers.
Teachers of younger grades (elementary school, preschool, kindergarten) who do lots of craft projects are always having to restock their supplies (often out of their own money. You can get “Craft Kits” with dozens of fun goodies suitable for making all kinds of creative projects.
Plastic Jungle is one of those ideas so simple and brilliant you wish you’d thought of it: people sell their unwanted gift cards for less than face value; you can therefore buy a great gift card for a teacher at less than its cash value! The recipient doesn’t know that you got a great deal (although I hope they wouldn’t mind anyway!), and the upside is that you get a lot more bang for your buck. This would make a great gift for high school teachers, music teachers, the gym coach, the bus driver– anyone you don’t know as well but still want to show your appreciation for.
Why pay full price for Gift Cards? Did you know it’s possible to buy unwanted gift cards at huge discounts to the face value? The recipient will never know that you didn’t pay full price, but definitely will appreciate the extra spending power!
Humor and inspiration in one delightful gift for all teachers!
The delightful Chicken Soup series always makes for a great gift, but this special edition is unique, a commemorative dedicated especially to teachers and the gifts that they give our children every day.
Coffee mugs are a popular gift for a reason: everyone can use more coffee mugs! This one stands out with a unique hand-painted sculpted ceramic design. Ask your child if the teacher drinks coffee before getting them a mug, of course, and it generally makes a better gift for new teachers than for more experienced teachers who may have already collected a lot of mugs over the years!
Here’s a great gift idea: Make a donation on behalf of the teacher to an organization that you know they would like to support. Include a note telling them how they inspire you with the good work that they do. Perfect for that idealistic government/ history/ environmental science teacher.
A nice pen can make an elegant gift that everyone can use. This is one that male teachers will like as well! For a very special thank you (think advisor, long-time coach, favorite teacher, etc), nice metal pens can even be engraved to add a personal touch.
A trip to the spa is a luxury that few teachers can afford on their own. But how many would like it? Ummm, pretty much all of them could use that kind of relaxation!
More Teacher Christmas Gifts
People who looked at this item also looked at…
Related items