Christmas Gifts for Teachers They'll Actually Use

Teachers are given a lot of mugs, candles and apple-shaped trinkets at the holidays – and many of them end up in a closet. The best Christmas gifts for teachers are the ones that earn a permanent place: a mug that is a pleasure to hold every morning, a frame on the desk, a letter opener that actually gets used. Here are the pieces we suggest when parents ask us for teacher gifts that will be used and kept, from a small thank-you to a class gift that the whole room chips in for.

An Apple for the Teacher

The apple is the classic teacher motif for a reason. These versions are made to last far longer than the real thing.

Herend Apple on Books Figurine

A hand-painted porcelain apple resting on a stack of books, 2 inches long, made in Herend, Hungary, with 24k gold accents. It comes in a range of fishnet colors and makes a memorable class gift that will sit on a desk for years.

Christofle Bonbonnière Silver-Plated Apple Trinket Box

A silver-plated apple with a sliding lid, from Christofle, the French silversmith founded in Paris in 1830. The name Bonbonnière refers to the bonbon it was made to hold; Charles Christofle began as a jeweler, and the trinket box has been an emblem of the house ever since.

Michael Aram Apple Honey Pot with Spoon

A handcrafted apple-shaped honey pot with its own spoon, in a Silver or Gold finish – for the teacher who takes honey in their tea.

For the Coffee Break and the Tea Break

A mug is the most-given teacher gift, so make it one worth keeping. See all mugs.

Bernardaud Louvre Mug 12 oz

Bernardaud describes this large Limoges porcelain cup as the perfect vessel for tea, coffee, hot chocolate or even soup – one that can be carried from room to room and is "also perfect at the office." Made in Limoges, France.

Gien Mug – Paris Giverny

An 8 5/8 oz faience mug made in Gien, France. Paris Giverny follows the watercolorist Fabrice Moireau from the parks of Paris to Claude Monet's garden at Giverny – a lovely choice for an art teacher.

Gien Mug – Filet Cobalt

Gien's plain scalloped Filet shape with a single hand-painted band of cobalt along the rim – simple, classic and made in France.

L'Objet Han Mug

A beautifully boxed L'Objet mug, offered in Platinum, White or Gold.

Michael Aram Palace Tea Set – Caddy

For the tea drinker: choose the Caddy option of Michael Aram's handcrafted Palace Tea Set to keep loose tea or tea bags on the desk. The same design is also offered as a tea pot, a pot and creamer, and a tray.

Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Porcelain Tea Set

From Michael Aram's Butterfly Ginkgo line, offered as a tea pot, a sugar pot or a creamer – a teapot of their own for the staff room.

Small Frames for the Desk

A frame on the desk might hold a class photo, a child's drawing or a picture from home. See all Michael Aram picture frames, and our guide to silver picture frames.

Michael Aram Heart Frame

From Michael Aram's Heart Collection, built around the heart as a symbol of love, hope, friendship and caring. Each frame is hand forged and cut, so no two are exactly alike. It stands vertically or horizontally and comes in Silver (nickelplate) or Gold (goldtone), in 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10.

Michael Aram Reflective Frame

A handcrafted frame in a Gold or Nickel finish, in 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 – a 4x6 is just right for a class photo.

Michael Aram Hammertone Frame

A handcrafted frame with a hammered texture, in Silver or Gold and in 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10.

For the Desk

Teachers spend all day at a desk; a few beautiful things on it make a difference. See all desk and office accessories.

Gien Pencil Holder – Le Jardin du Palais

A faience pencil holder made in Gien, France, in Le Jardin du Palais, the pattern Gien created with the Paris fabric house Pierre Frey: an eclectic garden of bright color and detailed drawing.

Gien Letter Tray – Paris Giverny

A 7 1/2 x 4 inch faience tray for notes, pens and paper clips, decorated with Fabrice Moireau's watercolors of Paris and Giverny. Pair it with the matching mug above.

Match Pewter Gabriella Letter Opener

Pewter cast and finished by hand in northern Italy, beautifully boxed. A letter opener is one of those things nobody buys for themselves and everybody uses.

L'Objet Crocodile Pencil Cup

A beautifully boxed L'Objet pencil cup to keep the desk in order.

Herend Napkin Rings for the Teacher Who Entertains

For the teacher who hosts the holidays at home, a set of hand-painted napkin rings is a gift that comes out at every dinner party. Herend porcelain is hand-painted in Hungary, so each ring is unique. Give one per guest, or a pair to start a set. See all napkin rings.

Herend Pierced Napkin Ring

A hand-painted Herend porcelain napkin ring, in Raspberry, Blue, Keylime or Gold.

Herend Queen Victoria Napkin Ring

A 2.25-inch napkin ring in Herend's Queen Victoria pattern, shaped, glazed and painted entirely by hand, with 24k gold accents.

Ornaments to Remember the Class

An ornament is a gift a teacher can enjoy every December and remember the class that gave it. See all Christmas ornaments.

Jay Strongwater Seven Swans-A-Swimming Glass Ornament

Seven swans a-swimming, from the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas, as a jeweled glass ornament, hand-enameled and set with crystals – a beautiful class gift.

Jay Strongwater Blitzen Glass Ornament

Santa's reindeer Blitzen as a jeweled glass ornament, hand-enameled and hand-set with crystals, beautifully boxed.

Michael Aram Heart Frame Ornament

A handcrafted heart-shaped frame ornament – slip in a tiny class photo and it becomes a keepsake.

Michael Aram Dove of Peace Ornament – White

A handcrafted white dove ornament, a gentle wish for a peaceful holiday.

Tips for Teacher Gifts

• Go in together. A class gift from several families lets you give one piece they will truly keep instead of a pile of small things.
• Check the school's guidelines. Some schools have a gift policy; a group gift from the class is usually the simplest way to stay within it.
• Add a note from the student. A few handwritten lines or a drawing is the part teachers remember most.
• Think about the classroom. Mugs, pencil holders, letter trays and frames are used every day at school.
• Don't forget the others. The aide, the music teacher, the coach and the school nurse deserve a thank-you too.

Shopping for the office as well? See our gifts for coworkers. Still filling stockings? See luxury stocking stuffers, or browse our full Christmas gift guide.

Save your favorites: open any piece and tap the ♡ to add it to your Wishlist, then share it with the class parents who are organizing the teacher's gift.