Most teachers already have a cupboard full of apple mugs. A gift that gets the joke about their classroom, whether that's indoor recess, IEP meetings or the history unit that ends the same way every year, is the one that gets used. Here are our favorites, sorted by budget and by grade or subject. Order by December 8 for Christmas delivery. US shipping is free on orders over $35.
Under $20: class gifts and room-parent picks
- "Hall Pass Approved, Coffee Pending" mug
- "This Is My Fortieth Teacher Mug. It's My Favorite." It's a self-aware teacher mug, which makes it the one they'll actually keep.
- Winter Break mug: "Wide Awake at Bus-Duty O'Clock"
- First-Year Teacher mug: "The Kids Figured It Out by Tuesday"
- Parent-Teacher Conferences mug: twelve meetings, and every parent said "that sounds like me."
Under $25: totes for everything they haul home
- "Indoor Recess, Second Week. Send Board Games."
- Kindergarten: "Snow Pants: 20 Minutes. Recess: 15."
- Special Ed: "Patience, Visuals, and a Backup Plan"
- "O Captain! My Captain!" Walt Whitman tote
By subject
- Math: "Yes, You'll Use This. No, I Can't Say When."
- Science: "Goggles Go on Your Eyes, Not Your Forehead"
- History: "Spoiler: It Ends the Same Way Every Year"
- Art: "Name on the Back, Artists."
- Computer science: "Your Code Works. Now Comment It." hoodie
- Band: "Paid for the Band Trip One Cookie Dough Tub at a Time"
- Theater: "Cheat Out. I Can't Hear Your Back."
By grade
- Preschool: "Spare Pants in Every Size" sweatshirt
- Elementary: "Indoor Recess, Second Week" sweatshirt
- Special education: "IEP Meeting. Seven Adults in Tiny Chairs." and the "Patience, Visuals and a Backup Plan" crewneck
- Substitutes: "Your Teacher Doesn't Let You Do That"
- First-year teachers: "The Kids Figured It Out by Tuesday" tee
The winter-break treat
The "Wide Awake at Bus-Duty O'Clock" plush blanket is a cozy group gift from the whole class, perfect for two weeks of not setting an alarm. For the teacher who just retired, there's the "Now I Use the Restroom Whenever I Want" tee.
See everything in Teacher Gifts or Gifts Under $25.