22 Inexpensive Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas That Actually Look Fancy
Getting gifts for your kids’ teachers can add up quickly. Not to mention the cost of gifts for everyone else. These inexpensive teacher Christmas gift ideas are here to save you time and money.
Some ideas are truly unique and others work up to be less than $1 per teacher. And, there are lots of options that look fancy without breaking the bank!
I hope you find some inspo here and be sure to check out these Christmas card ideas for teachers too. You may also like these thank you teacher messages as well.
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Inexpensive teacher Christmas gift ideas
1. Christmas tree ornaments
There are so many options for teacher-inspired Christmas tree ornaments. You can find beautiful wooden, plastic, ceramic and glass ones that appreciate teachers. This 3-inch, ceramic ornament is heart-shaped and has a wonderful “thank you my beloved teacher” message on it.
You can get a little fancier for half the cost with this gorgeous stained glass ornament. It’s about the same size and there are lots of ethereal designs to choose from. I adore this hummingbird ornament, but the fairy and butterfly ones are just as pretty! Maybe you can get some for yourself too!
2. Gifts from DIY kits
Hobby DIY kits are fun activities for the kids. Let’s be honest, it’s fun for us too! How about creating something for their teachers using these kits? The kids would have a blast and you can make memories together while DIY-ing.
This candle making kit comes with beeswax, essential oils, 9 cute candle tins and everything you need to make great smelling candles. You can also get more beeswax and extra containers and have a Christmas candle making party with the kiddies. Gift the candles to family and friends too!
Another great option is this embroidery kit. It comes with what you need to create an adorable embroidered Christmas village. The cotton fabric is pre-stamped with a pattern, the instructions are clear and you can curl up and create this beautiful Christmas gift for a teacher. Be sure to stitch in the teacher’s name for extra customization.
3. Teacher tumblers
Stainless steel tumblers are inexpensive but useful gifts, especially for Christmas. These 20-ounce containers are teacher-themed and come with glittery logos that say “teacher fuel,” “coffee teach repeat,” and “difference maker.”
You can take it up a notch and stuff the tumblers with the teacher’s favorite candy or chocolate. Or pair it with a pack of their preferred brand of coffee.
4. Fancy glass teacups
Get a little fancy with this beautiful glass teacup. It has beautiful flower and butterfly decorations stuck onto the glass that make it look magical and chic. The cup comes with a decorated spoon, coaster and lid.
5. Science glass and socks
If you’re looking for fun Christmas gifts for a science teacher, this glass and sock set is definitely one to consider, especially for male teachers. The glass has a force diagram etched on it along with the saying “this is how I roll.” The socks also have a fun joke about atoms.
6. Chemistry puns mug edition
You can always get a classic ceramic mug as a Christmas gift. This one has a periodic table on it and the saying “I use this mug periodically.” Get it? Ha! It’s also sold by a small business and I just love supporting the little guy!
7. Glass teapot
This is the last drink-related, inexpensive teacher gift idea on this list. I promise!
This glass teapot is often under $10, incredibly useful and comes with a simple stainless steel infuser to make brewing loose leaf tea much easier. The teapot can be used on the stove, in the microwave and the dishwasher, making it versatile to use and easy to clean! Your child’s teacher is sure to make good use of it, especially if they love tea!
8. Wallet
This one is a male teacher Christmas gift idea! It’s a pretty simple one too, but men always prefer having a good wallet. With the one below, you can choose from a range of colors and they are all leather.
9. Teacher blankies
This idea is a tad bit pricier than the rest on the list but it’s still a pretty neat Christmas gift! It’s a large blanket (60″x50″) with lots of cute teacher blurbs and graphics. I love the sayings “without teachers, life would have no class” and “teaching is a work of heart.”
If you prefer to gift a more minimalist blanket, this fleece throw is a great option. I like the khaki but there are other neutral colors too.
10. Tees for teachers
Printed t-shirts can be simple Christmas gifts for teachers. There are tons of options and you can even design and customize one at your local store or online. Amazon has a bunch too! This one is nice and says “teach them, love them and watch them grow.” It’s super sweet!
Be sure to ask the teacher what size they’d prefer before purchasing.
11. Flair pens
Teachers love, love, love flair pens! So, why not get them a whole bunch for Christmas? These are often discounted so you can get them for under $15. They make pretty inexpensive presents that teachers are sure to use.
12. Cute bee sticky notes and pens
If you don’t want an overly Christmasy gift to share, these bee inspired sticky notes and pens may be exactly what you are looking for. They are adorable and come in a set of 24, so you can gift all your kids’ teachers without breaking a sweat. Each sticky note and pen combo would work up to be less than $1!
13. Christmasy pens
For more on-the-nose Christmas pens that are cute and stylish, these glitter pens are perfect as teacher gifts. They do come in a bunch of different colors so you can mix and match the pens.
14. Teacher notepads
With so many pen ideas, I just have to include one for notepads right? These small notepads have heartwarming sayings like “thank you teacher,” “you rule,” “best teacher,” and more. They also come with their own colorful pens and a cute bow.
15. Crochet desk decor
Here’s another one of my inexpensive teacher Christmas gift ideas that I love: crochet art! They are so fun, whimsical and adorable. This one has crocheted tulip flowers in a flower pot with a sign saying “To my teacher, thank you for helping me grow.” It’s too cute!
16. Thank you teacher trinket dish
This one goes great with the bee-themed stationery in #12! The little dish can be used for trinkets, keys or jewelry. It has an adorable printed bee pun too!
17. Pretty bracelets
Have you ever thought about giving a small simple, inexpensive piece of jewelry to your kid’s teacher? If they love bracelets and hand bands, they might appreciate this beautiful butterfly bracelet. It comes with cubic zirconia gems and is gold plated with 18k gold (the base can be either brass or silver!).
18. Holiday themed gift baskets
Oh, I could do an entire post on just this one idea! Holiday themed gift baskets are super fun to put together and can be a lot cheaper than you think. Decide on a theme, head over to Costco or Dollar Tree and find appropriate gifts to pile into the basket.
With a movie night theme, you can fill a small bowl with microwave popcorn bags, chocolate like Reese’s pieces and M&Ms, and hot cocoa packets. For pizza making baskets, you can include flour, yeast, tomato sauce and seasonings like oregano and basil. You can even do a cute sign saying “just add cheese!”
If you don’t have the time to curate the ingredients, then check out this candy box that comes with chocolate, candy, Doritos and popcorn.
19. Spa sets
Teachers deserve self care and spa days! If you can’t treat them to coupons at their favorite spa or saloon, how about getting them a cute spa set for Christmas? You can make your own bath salts using Epsom salt, essential oils like lavender and dried flowers. Or even try making sugar scrubs with brown sugar, coconut oil, and more yummy smelling essential oils.
Getting the ingredients in bulk can certainly keep cost down!
If you don’t want to DIY any spa gifts, how about getting this cheap one from Burts Bees? It comes with travel-sized cleansing cream, body lotion, lip balm, and more.
20. Art supplies
Teachers love getting creative, even on their downtime. Ask them what their favorite creative hobbies are and get them some fun art supplies. Sewing, crocheting, jewelry making, there are tons of fun things to get. If adult coloring is their jam, they’ll love this color pencil set!
Or if they prefer painting, here’s a beautiful watercolor paint set!
21. Outdoor gear
Speaking of hobbies, teachers may enjoy just about any outdoor activity from fishing, hiking, swimming, and camping. Getting outdoor gear that they will use would be truly heartwarming and meaningful. And, you don’t have to break your budget with these gifts.
Small tactical knives, like the one below, can be great for male teachers on fishing and camping trips. Fishing tackle boxes can also be inexpensive along with sleeping bags, golf balls, and more.
22. Gifts for their families
Teachers often have their own kids too. So, why not get something meaningful for the people that matter most in their life? It could be sweet treats, snacks, gift cards, books, and even toys.
This book on drawing cute things can be a delight, especially for their daughters.
And board games or scavenger hunt ones can be fun for the entire family.
Those are some inexpensive teacher Christmas gift ideas to give you some inspiration. I hope you found some great budget options here.
You can also stop by these ideas for teacher Christmas cards to accompany the gifts you’ve got.
Happy holiday planning! I hope you truly enjoy the magic of the season.
