Finding holiday gifts for teachers can be fun but also a little overwhelming. To make it easier, I’ve updated this guide for 2025 with a curated list organized by a simple formula: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
These ideas are especially great for teachers who love teaching reading, but you’ll find ideas for any teacher on your list!
Don’t have time to read the blog? No worries. I’ve put together a super handy Teacher Gifts list on Amazon just for you!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Something they want:
What teacher doesn’t love a good cup of coffee (or three) to fuel the day? A small Keurig machine makes a thoughtful classroom addition or staff room upgrade, especially if you’re shopping for a group of teachers.
To make it extra special, build a little coffee-themed gift basket. Include stainless steel reusable K-cups, a favorite bag of ground coffee (I’m partial to Costa Rican blends!), or a cozy mug that makes those early mornings a bit brighter.
If your teacher is more of an iced coffee fan, they can brew at night and bring their caffeine to school in one of these adorable travel cups. A great cup really does make mornings smoother!
Something they need:
The best holiday gifts for teachers are often the ones they’ll use year after year with their students. Many teachers spend their own money on classroom materials, so practical gifts that support literacy instruction are always appreciated.
If you or the teacher you’re shopping for are committed to the science of reading, these next two ideas are both high-impact and classroom-ready.
Decodable books are a must-have for teachers of emerging readers. High-quality decodables help students practice targeted skills in context, an essential part of structured literacy instruction. If you’re shopping for a teacher who works with early readers, consider adding a few sets of decodable books to their classroom library. Here are some of my favorites:
- Pat and Pals Series by Sue Marasciulo
- Youkan Reading Decodable Books by Cheryl A. Young
- Rex Runs Off Series by Larissa Phillips
- Moon Dog Series by Phonic Books
- Spelling Pen Series by Cigdem Knebel
- Dog on a Log Chapter Books by Pamela Brookes
Teachers love gifts that make lesson planning easier and more effective. Sentence unscrambling is one of those activities that does it all. Inspired by the strategies in The Writing Revolution, it helps students:
- Understand the concept of a complete sentence
- Improve their knowledge of syntax (word order)
- Successfully incorporate capitals and punctuation
When the sentences are aligned with a phonics sequence, teachers get double the value: writing and reading instruction rolled into one. That’s why a set of scrambled sentence activities makes such a thoughtful and useful gift.
If the teacher on your list loves structured literacy, they’ll appreciate having this ready-to-go resource that builds decoding, fluency, sentence building, and confidence all in one activity. You can learn how to get started in this blog post, or save time with my premade scrambled sentence activities and worksheets, perfect for any reading teacher’s toolkit.
Something to wear:
Teachers appreciate gifts that are both fun and practical, and clothing is an easy win. Literacy-themed t-shirts are especially popular, with designs highlighting orthographic mapping, syllable division, schwa, and grammar rules. You can find some of my favorite options on Amazon, or explore unique designs from shops like the Small Town Gift Company on Etsy.
Cozy pants or joggers are another thoughtful choice, perfect for classroom comfort during busy school days or for relaxing over the holidays. These wide-leg pants and soft joggers pair well with casual tops and won’t break the bank, making them a practical yet stylish gift any teacher would love to receive.
Something to read:
Books are a gift that keeps on giving, and science of reading titles are especially appreciated by literacy teachers. One standout is Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy by Denise Eide. If the teacher on your list has ever felt that English spelling is overly complicated, this book offers a fresh perspective. It shows that 75 phonograms and 31 spelling rules explain 98% of English words, giving teachers practical tools to help students decode almost any word they encounter.
Another excellent choice is Making Words Stick: A Four-Step Instructional Routine to Power Up Orthographic Mapping (The Science of Reading in Practice) by Molly Ness and Katie Pace Miles. This book provides a clear, research-based approach to teaching students how to efficiently store and retrieve words in memory. It’s a gift any reading teacher will find immediately useful for supporting literacy instruction in the classroom or during intervention sessions.
For gift-givers, these titles are perfect for filling a holiday gift basket or pairing with a fun tee shirt or classroom resource, creating a thoughtful, practical, and teacher-approved present.
Wrapping Up: Thoughtful Holiday Gifts for Teachers
The holiday season is a perfect time to show appreciation for the teachers who make a difference in our children’s lives. Whether it’s a gift that’s practical, cozy, or inspiring, thoughtful holiday gifts for teachers can brighten their day and support their work in the classroom. Pair a useful classroom resource with a fun t-shirt, an engaging book, or a ready-to-use classroom activity, and you’ll create a present that’s both meaningful and memorable.
This holiday gift guide is all about celebrating teachers, but if you’re passionate about helping students read with confidence, my email list is full of practical, science of reading–based tips and resources. Two or three times per month, I share strategies, research, free activities, or classroom resources that make structured literacy instruction easier and more effective.
