Top Holiday Gifts for Teachers Under $30

Teachers do incredible work for their students, often spending hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets in order to finance classroom projects, decorations, or field trips. The holidays are the perfect time to say thanks and to show those teachers that their dedication is appreciated, but parents don't need to spend a mint to give teachers a meaningful, thoughtful gift.

Classroom-Oriented Teacher Gift Options

Gifts that enhance a teacher's classroom not only help the teacher, but also create an even better environment for the students. These useful gifts will be well appreciated by dedicated teachers and will serve students long after the holidays.

- White board markers, erasers, and cleaning solution. Most classrooms are equipped with white boards rather than messier chalk boards, but the cost of multi-colored markers can add up over the year. Erasers and cleaner help keep the board organized and in great condition for each day's lesson.

- Craft supplies such as construction paper, cardstock, paste, glitter, safety scissors, and crayons. Students can't express creativity without the proper materials, and different craft supplies can make it easier for teachers to arrange fun projects that coordinate with their lessons.

- Cold and flu items including tissue, cleaning wipes, and anti-bacterial gels. With germs multiplying throughout the holiday season, it's the perfect time to give gifts to help fight illness. This will not only help keep the teacher healthy so students don't need a substitute, but students will be healthier and miss fewer days of class as well.

- Class sets of needed items such as rulers, basic calculators, dictionaries, or other educational tools. While buying an entire set of these may be out of reach for many parents, coordinating gift-giving efforts with multiple parents can ensure that a teacher has the necessary items for each student to use. This is particularly useful in math and science classrooms or for upper grade level teachers.

- Books for in-class reading. Consulting the school librarian will result in a plentiful list of age- and grade-appropriate titles, and helping a teacher augment their personal library will give more reading opportunities to each student for years to come.

- Gift certificates to office and teacher supply stores. These certificates can be in any convenient denomination or to any appropriate store. School districts often have lists of specific educational supply stores, and many supplies can also be purchased at large chain stores such as Target or Wal-Mart.

- Volunteering time. Many teachers, particularly in elementary school, welcome parental assistance for different projects, and volunteering to help out in the classroom will free up the teacher's time for other tasks or just to take a breath during a busy season. While junior high and high school teachers don't frequently use volunteers, parents can still ask if there is something they can help with such as filing, helping supervising activities or recess, or working with a future field trip.

Appreciation-Oriented Teacher Gift Options

Some people prefer to give less practical gifts and instead focus on items that will make teachers aware of how much they are appreciated. These small items will be treasured and will show each teacher just how precious their dedication is.

- Student-made gifts. Throughout the school year, teachers create projects for students to make gifts for their parents or grandparents, and using those project ideas to create a hand-made gift for the teacher not only shows holiday spirit, but teacher will also appreciate the application of the project to other uses. Cards, popsicle stick picture frames or trinket boxes, pasta mosaics, and other crafts are great options.

- Frivolous gift certificates. Many teachers work far longer hours than just the school day, and a gift of some indulgent free time - a movie ticket, manicure, or pass to a holiday event - will encourage them to take time to themselves and enjoy the holiday season.

- Edible holiday treats. Because many school calendars stretch until just before the holiday, offering a gift of baked goods or other delicious holiday treats will let teachers enjoy the festive tastes of the season without sacrificing the time to make the items themselves. Home-baked cookies, fudge, and cakes are especially meaningful if the student helps create or decorate them.

- Charitable donations. Teachers are naturally charitable, giving of their time and personal strength to help each student succeed. Unfortunately, many teachers' paychecks do not permit them to offer financial contributions to charities, and making a donation in their name to their preferred organization is a touching and heartfelt gesture.

During the holiday season, many parents are hard-pressed to finish shopping for their children, family members, friends, and co-workers. Including their child's teacher on that holiday gift list will help spread the season's cheer by showing how their hard work and dedication throughout the year are appreciated. Many teacher gifts, in fact, can be used to enhance the child's classroom, or just to give the teacher a well-deserved chance to enjoy the spirit of the season.