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The best teacher gifts for 2023 that teachers actually want

We're going to tell it to you straight, so teachers don't have to: gift cards are king. When it comes to holiday gifts, any teacher I spoke to started off by saying they would be grateful for any gift — purchased or handmade — that a student gives them. Many even shared how a personalized thank you note is often more treasured than any physical gift, but the more I pushed, the clearer it was: if you're going to give a gift, gift cards are where it's at.

And the reasoning makes total sense. Many teachers purchase a lot of their classroom supplies with their own money, which is not mandatory but often necessary. So, it's no wonder the most wished-for gift from the teachers we spoke to was Amazon gift cards. Plus, though everyone loves a good travel mug, teachers often receive mugs (and candles!) multiple times a year for many years. While they may love them, there are only so many mugs one person needs.

So enough about all the things they don't need or want; let's get to the stuff they do. To find this out, we chatted with five teachers who teach everything from pre-K to high school history — and have been in the school systems for 10+ years — to hear what it is they wish for this year and what gifts they've received that truly touched their hearts. They did all say a personalized note from students is hard to beat, so not all gifts need to cost money.

If you're shopping for an educator this year, let this list guide you in the right direction. We've selected a number of gift cards (as that was far and away the most wished-for) as well as a few items for the classroom, some items to help them unwind and relax, and a few that are just good fun.