Give the gift of creativity.
ByPhoebe Rusack
Nov 3, 2022
Finding the perfect Teacher Appreciation Week gift for your child’s teacher sometimes feels like an overwhelming task. Rather than purchasing a gift, why not get creative with the gifting this year? A handmade gift can be personalized and shows how much students appreciate their teacher. Instead of grabbing a last-minute gift at the store, check out this list of easy DIY teacher gifts! for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Quick tip: Check your school’s gift policy before giving; some prohibit homemade treats and/or gifts over a certain monetary value.
(Note: We Are Teachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Thanks a Latte
Fuel their love of caffeine with this adorable way to showcase a gift card to their favorite coffee shop. Perfect for the holidays or Teacher Appreciation Week!
Materials:
- Coffee cup from store of choice
- Free Printable Tag
- Crinkle Paper
- Bow
ADVERTIsem*nT
Get tutorial: Thanks a Latte Gift Idea
2. Creative Gift Card Holder
Not into coffee? This adorable holder presents any restaurant gift card you choose in such a fun way.
Materials:
- Gift Card Holder Printable
- Glue Dots
- Gift card to restaurant of your choice
Get tutorial: Printable Gift Card Holders
3. Handmade Thank-You Card
Sometimes a thank-you card is the perfect way to show your appreciation. This apple card made with tissue paper is the perfect gift for your little one to help create for their teacher. Creative enough to stand on its own or pair it with any other gift.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Tissue Paper Apple Card
4. Bouquet of Pencils
This bouquet of pencils is so on point. Teachers will adore this creative and useful gift.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Pencil Bouquet
5. Movie-Themed Basket
Show your appreciation for your child’s teacher with this movie gift basket. Add their favorite candies to personalize this DIY gift.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Movie Gift Card
6. Cookie Tote
These DIY cookie tote gifts are perfect for any teacher who loves baked goods. What a sweet surprise!
Materials:
- Cookies (Or make them homemade!)
- Chalkboard Printable
- Gable Boxes
- Basket Filler
- Alphabet Chalkboard Ribbon
- Elmer’s X-Treme Glue Stick
Get tutorial: Cookie Teacher Gift Printable
7. Personalized Umbrella
Teachers will love this simple, personalized umbrella gift for any occasion. Re-create one of these special DIY teacher gifts for under $20.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Umbrella Gift Tag
8. Chalkboard Crayon Wreath
This chalkboard crayon wreath requires some extra creativity and time, but the end result is so worth it! Encourage your child to work on this project with you to make it extra special for their teacher.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Chalkboard Crayon Wreath
9. School Survival Kit
Every teacher needs one of these teacher survival kits! Fill it up with all sorts of goodies such as candy, lotion, and lip balm. If you don’t have a Cricut machine, use stencils and paint to create the front of the box.
Materials:
- Wood Box
- Acrylic Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Vinyl Machine Cutter
- Vinyl
- Goodies (Candy, lip balm, gift card, hand sanitizer, etc.)
Get tutorial: Back to School Emergency Kit
10. Vanilla Sugar Scrub
Give the gift of relaxation to teachers this holiday season. This homemade vanilla sugar scrub is simple to create and will smell amazing!
Materials:
Get tutorial: 3-Ingredient Vanilla Sugar Scrub
11. Cookie Mix in a Jar
For a quick and easy holiday gift, try out this cookie mix in a jar! Assemble all of the ingredients on top of one another to create the gorgeous layered effect.
Materials:
- Mason Jar
- String
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Soda
- White Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Rolled Oats
- Dried Cranberries
- Chocolate Chips
Get tutorial: Cranberry-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
12. Self-Care Kit
Provide some pampering for your child’s favorite teacher with this self-care kit. They will especially appreciate one of these DIY teacher gifts during the winter months!
Materials:
- Basket
- Fuzzy Socks
- Candle
- Mug
- Other fun goodies of your choosing!
Get tutorial: DIY Self Care Gift Basket
13. Potted Succulent
Succulents are more popular than ever, making them the perfect DIY teacher gifts. Include a personalized note from your child to wrap up this cute gift.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Thanks For Helping Me Grow
14. Lemonade Cups
Grab a tumbler and some lemonade packets for this simple gift! Teachers will especially appreciate this for summer vacation.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Lemonade Cups
15. Terra-Cotta Candy Holder
This creative candy holder is a great gift for back to school. Include some tasty treats inside the painted pot!
Materials:
Get tutorial: DIY Terracotta Apple
16. Personalized Snowman Mug
We love these cozy snowman mugs for the holiday season! Gift one to your child’s teacher with their name on it. How cute!
Materials:
Get tutorial: Personalized Snowman Mugs
17. Hands Down You’re the Best
Teachers always appreciate a good-smelling hand soap! This DIY gift is so easy to make and really shows your appreciation for your child’s teacher.
Materials:
Get tutorial: DIY Hands Down Gift
18. Crayon Picture Frame
Colorful and cute, this crayon picture frame will be sure to wow any teacher! Use any picture frame and a pack of crayons to achieve this personalized present.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Crayon Monogram
19. Hot Chocs and Fuzzy Socks
Wintertime means cozying up with a mug of hot cocoa wearing some fuzzy socks. Gift this adorable idea to a teacher this holiday season.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Hot Chocs and Fuzzy Socks
20. Personalized Mini Globes
Show a teacher they deserve the world with these spray-painted mini globes.
Materials:
Get tutorial: DIY Painted Globe
21. Oven Mitt With Goodies
How cute is this oven mitt stuffed with baking goodies? Gift this DIY teacher gift to a baking-obsessed teacher for the holiday season.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Oven Mitt Gift
22. Mod Podge Soap Craft
Spice up your teacher’s favorite soap scent by using mod podge to decoupage a flower or cute design on a soap bar. This craft is super quick and easy and can be personalized to your teacher’s preferences.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Mod Podge Soap Craft
23. Flower Pounded Tea Towel
To turn your DIY gift into a fun craft with your kid, consider this flower pounded tea towel. Super cute to spice up a teacher’s kitchen or bathroom!
Materials:
- PFD Fabric
- Masking Tape
- Fresh Flowers or Leaves
Get tutorial: Flower Pounded Tea Towel
24. You’re the Star of Our School!
This DIY teacher gift is perfect for the teacher with sweet tooth. Fill a reusable cup with Starbucks and attach a homemade sign as a sweet touch.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Starburst Cup
25. Bouquet with Personalized Tag
For a last minute DIY gift, grab a bouquet of your teacher’s favorite flowers. Add a personalized tag, or this tag we found, and write your kid’s name on it to add that extra love.
Materials:
- Flower Bouquet
- Free Printable Tag
- Popsicle Sticks
Get tutorial: Last Minute Teacher Appreciation Gift
26. Whiteboard Eraser Kit
Make this easy eraser kit to gift your teacher some essentials they just NEVER can have enough of. Write your teacher’s name on the whiteboard eraser for a personal touch.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Whiteboard eraser kit
27. Rolo Pencils
This super cute gift idea is easy to make. Get a pack of Rolos, a pack of Hershey Kisses, and use the printable below to create a cute pencil made of chocolate.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Rolo Pencil Thank You Gift
28. Apple Print Tote Bag
Super cute and a fun craft, this tote bag teacher gift will definitely show your teacher how much your kid cares for them.
Materials:
- Tote bag
- Fabric paint
- Apple
Get tutorial: DIY Apple Print Tote Bag
29. Crayon Vase
This teacher appreciation gift is perfect because it can be used for many purposes, both in the classroom and at home.
Materials:
- Crayon pack
- Scrapbook paper
- Empty Can from Home
- Hairband
Get tutorial: DIY Crayon Vase
30. Chalkboard Mason Jar
To make this chalkboard mason jar, take an old mason jar. andsimply paint it with chalkboard paint. Write a fun customized message to gift it to your teacher. Add some #2 pencils in the jar to show some extra love.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Chalkboard Mason Jar
31. Toe-Tally Awesome Teacher
Find out your teacher’s favorite color, and buy some nail polishes in different shades. Then, get the free printable below and attach it to the nail polishes for a quirky gift.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Toe-Tally Awesome Gift Bag
32. Color A Life Forever
This teacher appreciation gift is super simple. Buy a pack of Sharpies, and tape or glue the free printable below onto the pack for a gift your teacher will be sure to appreciate.
Materials:
Get tutorial: Sharpie Gift Printable
Easily Customizable DIY Teacher Gifts
33. Customized notepads
Personalize this set of four notepads for your teacher so they can jot down reminders and ideas with a personal touch.
Buy it:Notepadsat Amazon
34. Customized Keychain
This handmade leather keychain, customized with your teacher’s name, is a perfect teacher appreciation gift.
Buy it:Keychainat Amazon
35. Photo Heart Keepsake
Got classroom photos? Why not make them into a custom photo keepsake for your teacher?
Buy it: Photo Heartat Minted
36. Personalized Teacher Library Stamp
Teachers build their classroom libraries with loving care. Help them keep their selections from disappearing with a personalized stamp like this one. (See more teacher stamps we love here.)
Buy it:Self-Inking Teacher Library Stampat Amazon
37. Personalized Stanley cup
Gift your teacher a super cute and trendy Stanley cup with their initial to show how much you care.
Buy it: Stanley Cup at Etsy
38. Thank You Card
Never underestimate the importance of aheartfelt thank-you note! Students can create their own, or you can buy this printable card that lets them add color and add their own message.
Buy it:Colorable Teacher Thank-You Cardat Etsy
39. Custom Video Montage
Another one of the best end-of-year teacher gifts. Assemble a video montage with Tribute! Their easy-to-use tools allow you to do it yourself, or you can pay a little more and have a professional put together something spectacular.
Buy it:Tribute Video Montage
40. Personalized Stationery Note Cards
Teachers often find themselves writing notes to coworkers, principals, or parents. Help them send a adorable, personalized note next time they send a message with this set of stationery.
Buy it:Note cardsat Etsy
41. Leather Clip Board
Pick up a high-quality, leather clip board for the perfect gift. You can personalize it with initials or their name in a variety of text options.
Buy it:Leather clip boardat Etsy
42. Personalized Greeting Card
This easy-to-create card offers personalization while giving your child the chance to add their own special touch.
Buy it:Oversized Coloring Greeting Cardat Personalization Mall
43. Cosmetic Bag
We love the versatility of this sweet personalized bag since it can be used in school for pencils and pens or at home for makeup or really anything!
Buy it:Personalized Teacher Cosmetic and Makeup Bagat Amazon
44. Personalized Labels
Since gifts like mugs and ornaments can pile up at home for a teacher, a useful yet still thoughtful one like this one will be sure to stand out in a crowd.
Buy it:This Belongs to Labelsat Etsy
45. Personalized Door Sign
We love this gift idea especially for first-year teachers. We can’t think of anything more welcoming to students and visitors than this sweet sign.
Buy it:Personalized teacher sign for classroomat Amazon
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out these great stocking stuffers for teachers.
Plus, be sure to sign up for our newsletters to get our latest gift guides.
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