30 Unique Gifts for Principals (2024)

Principals are often gifted ornaments and baked goods during the holiday season, which they’re always grateful for. But if you want to buy something unique that they’ll love, these principal gifts are great options recommended by classroom teachers. From the practical to the fun and everything in between, we’ve got you covered!

Note: Buying gifts for your principal can sometimes be a matter of debate. Some etiquette gurus say you shouldn’t buy for your boss, and some principals don’t accept gifts from teachers or from families. So before you get to shopping, investigate the principal-gifting culture at your school and evaluate the relationship you have with your principal.

1. Gift card in a fun holder

Gift cards always top teachers’ wish lists, so it’s no surprise that admins love them too. These are a great way to buy the principal a cup of coffee ($5 gift card to Starbucks) or to go in together as a staff or a class for an Amazon gift card. See this huge list of gift cards your principal will love!

Buy it: Amazon Gift Card at Amazon; Printable Amazon Gift Card Holder at Etsy

2. Heartfelt thank-you card

Most of the hard work a principal does goes on unnoticed behind the scenes. Simply saying thank you means a lot. Consider writing a thank-you note to your principal. These adorable cards are available for digital download, making this task quick and easy. You can find so many options, including holiday-themed thank-you cards. Plus it’s a principal gift you can get everyone to sign!

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Buy it: Awesome Principal Card at Etsy

3. Personalized watercolor school map

Looking for personalized gifts for a principal? Perfect for decorating their office, this customizable wall art includes a watercolor map of the area surrounding your school. You can even customize the color. Just add a frame, and it’s ready to hang.

Buy it: Personalized Watercolor School Map Artwork at Etsy; White 8 x 10 Picture Frame at Amazon

4. Cozy office pillow

Get something to match their office, or pick out a pillow with a fun quote.

Buy it: Awesome Reminder Pillow at Amazon

5. Humorous calendar

Brighten up their new year with a calendar that’ll give them a good chuckle.

Buy it: Funny Dogs Calendar at Amazon

6. Personalized notepad

A gift they are sure to use, a personalized notepad is so cute! Everyone will know who their note is from if they need to drop off a quick message.

7. Monogrammed pen

Every great leader deserves a sophisticated pen. This one can be engraved with your principal’s name.

Buy it: Personalized Parker Jotter Pen at Etsy

8. Retro T-shirt

A retro T-shirt any principal would love to wear!

Buy it: Principal Limited Edition Shirt at Amazon

9. Fun T-shirt

Principals can wear these on spirit days, during assemblies, or under their suits like Superman!

Buy it: Principal of All Things Shirt at Amazon

10. Being a Principal Is Easy shirt

We love this shirt that encapsulates how NOT easy it is to be a principal.

Buy it: Being a Principal Is Easy Shirt at Etsy

11. Principal socks

Is your principal too cool for T-shirts? Why not try some custom socks? You can add multiple photos, including the entire admin team, along with “Behind Every Great School Is an Amazing Principal” text decoration.

Buy it: Custom Principal Socks at Etsy

12. Canvas wall art

This canvas sign would look great propped on a table or hanging on the wall. Give the principal in your life some new decor as a gift.

Buy it: Principal Sign at Amazon

13. Custom artwork

Honor your principal with a personal cartoon drawing. Submit a photo and you’ll get this fun, custom piece of artwork to hand off as a gift.

Buy it: Custom Cartoon Drawing at Etsy

14. Gift box

Not sure what to get? Why not go for an entire gift box! Customize your choices from options like a mug, a shirt, a bracelet with charm, a custom note, and more.

Buy it: Principal Gift Box at Etsy

15. Desk charging station

Charging cords for a phone, tablet, watch, headphones, and more can easily become a mess. This desktop organizer is so helpful and convenient.

Buy it: Desk Charging Station at Amazon

16. Kindle case

Is your principal an avid reader? How about gifting them a new case for their Kindle? This one has a stylish fabric cover and comes in assorted colors.

Buy it: Fabric Kindle Case at Amazon

17. Leather-corner bookmark

If your principal prefers hard-copy books over digital, this leather-corner bookmark is a unique gift. You can even personalize the color and wording.

Buy it: Leather Personalized Bookmark at Etsy

18. Cold-brew maker

Access to coffee in school is essential to so many principals. Help them truly enjoy their next cup with fun accessories. This cold-brew maker is compact enough to put in a mini fridge, and it’s so easy to use and clean.

Buy it: Takeya Cold Brew Maker at Amazon

19. Principal-specific coffee mug

If your principal doesn’t already have a stash of mugs … this adorable version is one of our favorite principal gifts for hot-coffee enthusiasts!

Buy it: Principal Mug at Etsy

20. Coffee mug warmer

And don’t forget a warmer to keep the coffee hot all day! Check out our list of school coffee makers and accessories for more ideas.

Buy it: VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer at Amazon

21. Steel water bottle

Staying hydrated is so important! A nice water bottle with fancy features like a filter, steel insulation, or fruit infusion is a nice gesture. Check out our list of all the best water bottles.

Buy it: Principal Nutritional Facts Water Bottle at Etsy

22. Desktop bowling

Not that any principal has the time to play one of these games, but it’s nice to have them in the office for a brief sanity break, talking point for others who drop in, or as a way for kids to kill time if they’re waiting.

Buy it: Desktop Bowling Game at Amazon

23. Desktop basketball

Another fun desktop game, this basketball version features a built-in ball launcher and automatic ball return for continuous fun.

Buy it: Desktop Basketball Game at Amazon

24. Personalized-photo paperweight

Here’s another desk accessory for hardworking principals. You can upload a photo to customize this crystal paperweight. Some photo ideas include the front of your school, a group photo of your principal with other staff members, or the principal’s family.

Buy it: Personalized Photo Crystal Paperweight at Amazon

25. Snack basket

No one wants a hangry principal running the show! This box of good-for-you snacks is a great gift to replenish that snack stash with plenty of options.

Buy it: Variety Pack of Snacks at Amazon

26. Screen-cleaning set

Yes, it’s a practical principal gift idea, but it will get used. Every principal has a computer and probably a smartphone, and it’s nice to have a streak-free way to keep them clean. A gel dust cleaner is also a great way to get stubborn keyboard crevices clean, and it’s so fun to use.

Buy it: Computer Screen-Cleaning Set at Amazon;Gel Dust Cleaner at Amazon

27. Monogrammed door stopper

There are times a principal needs privacy in their office, but for the times they want to stay connected to the rest of the school, this personalized door stopper can help. Choose your color, and monogram it with your school name or the word “principal.”

Buy it: Monogrammed Door Stopper at Etsy

28. Sunglasses

Whether they’re looking forward to sunny breaks or simply shielding their eyes while on bus monitor duty, your principal will be thankful for a stylish pair of shades like these from WearMe Pro.

Buy it: Drew Polarized Round Sunglasses at WMP Eyewear

29. Candle

With a sweet little note, this 9-ounce hand-poured soy candle makes a perfect gift for your principal.

Buy it: Principal Candle at Amazon

30. Key ring

This adorable “Behind a Great School Is an Awesome Principal” key ring can hold all the keys your principal needs!

Buy it: Key Ring at Amazon