7 Most Appreciated Christmas Gifts for Teachers

Gift cards are the ideal Christmas gift for teachers. Opt for a gift card that can be redeemed at several different vendors, like a mall gift card, an Amazon gift card or a prepaid credit card gift card. If that's not possible, even a $5 gift card to the coffee shop across from the school can be a lifesaver on a rushed morning.

Teachers also love receiving tickets as Christmas gifts. It's safe to assume that a teacher is interested in the subject area that they're teaching, so consider buying tickets to the local theater for a drama teacher, or tickets to a sports event for a gym teacher. If possible, allow the teacher to select the date and time that works best with their schedule.

It doesn't matter how many pens, pencils and notepads a teacher starts the year with, as they all seem to disappear before the Thanksgiving long weekend. When you're looking for inexpensive Christmas gifts for teachers, look for decorative notepads (monograms are always a nice touch), a funky tape dispenser or colorful whiteboard markers. Chances are good that they'll be put to use within minutes, and they'll be loved until they too disappear!

Every gifted bottle of wine carries an unspoken message: "I value the work that you do, I know it can be tiring, and I believe you deserve some rest and relaxation." A mid-priced bottle of red or white wine is an easy Christmas gift for a hardworking teacher. Wine-loving teachers will likely enjoy it that evening, and even non-drinkers will appreciate having a bottle to bring to a seasonal potluck.

Usually, it's risky to buy classroom materials for a teacher at Christmas. It's kind of like buying a ledger book for an accountant or a pair of handcuffs for a police officer. However, if you've noticed that something in their classroom is broken or out-of-date, a replacement would be a lovely Christmas gift. The next time you're in the school take a good look around the classroom for things like storage bins, shelves, easels, clocks or posters that could use an upgrade.

Lunch breaks are a myth when you're a teacher. Most teachers have assigned supervision over lunch, and even those with unassigned time often spend their lunch hour offering tutorial sessions, test re-writes and emotional support. You can lighten a teacher's lunchtime load by giving the gift of a lunch delivery. Ask about their favorite local restaurants and what dishes they would recommend, then arrange for a special delivery to the school office. It's best to let them know about this gift a few days in advance so that they can plan their grocery shopping accordingly.

Twenty years from now, most teachers will have forgotten all of the Christmas gifts they received throughout their career. What they will remember is the impact they had on students and their families. If you don't have the time, money or inclination to shop for Christmas gifts for teachers, consider giving the gift of a heartfelt note expressing what their work means to you and how they made a difference. Long after the wine bottle is empty and the gift card is spent, the memory of your kind words will remain.