Cheap Teacher Appreciation Gifts Under $20 for 2022

Are you struggling to think of affordable Teacher appreciation gift ideas? You want to show your child’s teacher how much you appreciate them, but you don’t have a ton of money to spend. Then these thoughtful and cheap teacher appreciation gifts are perfect for you. 

To find gift ideas for the holidays and end of the year that are thoughtful and affordable I polled my teacher friends to see what teachers really want for gifts in 2022. From that, I created a list of cheap gift ideas to let your child’s teacher know you appreciate them and that won’t break your bank. 

In our updated 2022 list, you’ll find a mix of DIY gifts, class group gifts, and store-bought gift ideas. All gifts are under $20 so stop stressing about gift ideas and use this list to find the perfect cheap teacher appreciation gifts.

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25 Cheap Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

When I say the guide is for cheap teacher appreciation gift ideas it does not mean it’s not a nice or thoughtful gift. The Christmas season can be a very expensive time of year and it’s important to stay within your budget.

That’s why I focused on gifts that are under $20. So let’s find a way to say thank you with a gift that teachers will love and you’ll feel good about giving.

As you go through the teacher gift guide you’ll find a mix of DIY gifts, store-bought gifts, and class group gifts to give. You’ll also see at the end how to make Dollar Tree items into cool gifts they’ll love.

So look through this list of thoughtful gifts and find the perfect gift for your child’s amazing teacher.

Make sure to check out our Hottest 2022 Gift for Tween Girls & Coolest Boys Gift Ideas for 2022 too. You’ll be set with gifts for your kids and teachers this year.

Personalized Notes

The number one thing all of my teacher friends said they love is a handwritten note from the kids. This is such an easy thing to do at home that their teacher will really appreciate it.

Have your child write out a note to his/her teacher saying thank you or download the free printable shown above. Your child can fill out the questions about his/her teacher. Pair this with one of the other gifts below and you’re done.

Gift Cards

Number two on my friend’s teacher gifts list is gift cards. Now, this may seem impersonal but if you pair it with a note, the teachers will love it.

Some suggestions for eGift cards are Doordash, Hulu, Groupon, Sephora, Subway, Chipotle, amazon gift card, bookstore gift card, favorite restaurants card, and Fandango. Gift Card Granny is a great site to find tons of gift card options that will fit your teacher’s personality.

They’ll even let you customize the gift card you give which is pretty cool.

If you want, you can even ask the teacher for their top three choices and pick one of them. This way you know they will love it.

Tip: To save money consider grouping the gift with others in the class so that you can give the teacher a larger amount without each family spending a ton of money.

Teacher Gift Card Holders

Make your gift card look complete with a cute Teacher Gift Card Holder. Kids can hand write a note on the back to their great teachers.

Self-Care Gift Ideas

Give the gift of relaxation with Self Care Gift Ideas for Teachers. Every teacher could use some relaxation time after a long day of school. Either give one of the items or pair two of them together in a small basket or gift bag.

Help teachers destress with:

Soothing face masks – The lavender face mask will help them relax at night.

Yoga Dice – For the teacher who likes to exercise.

Bath Bombs – Essential oil bath bombs in a pretty box.

Teacher Appreciation gift box with bath bombs, a scented candle, and a Teacher thank you card all in a nice box.

Relaxation Coloring Books for Adults – coloring books for relaxation are a huge trend right now your child’s teacher might enjoy.

Travel Mug

What Teacher doesn’t need a pick-me-up of coffee in the morning?  A travel mug is a useful gift and can be filled with candy or gum to make it a little more fun.

Below are a few affordable options for cute teacher-themed travel mugs.

Coffee Mug

I love the nice saying on this coffee mug for your child’s teacher. “It takes a big heart to help shape little minds”

Water Bottle

This water bottle is perfect for those teachers who drink water all day long.

Teacher Themed Bags

Give a cute teacher-themed bag they can use to carry their stuff to school. Here are a couple of options.

A cute smaller teacher bag to hold makeup or little items they can throw in a larger purse or bag.

Canvas Best Teacher Ever bag to hold their binders, folder, and even a small laptop. The tote bag has an inside pocket for small items like keys or cell phones too.

This cute Teacher Canvas Tote bag comes with two bags which is great if your child has more than one teacher or if you have two kids. Plus it’s only $18 for two! It’s so cheap for two teachers you could throw in a gift card for a book too.

Cute Teacher T-Shirt

If coffee is your teacher’s favorite drink they’ll love this adorable coffee t-shirt.

Jewelry

Who doesn’t love some new jewelry pieces to wear? Give a sweet teacher-themed necklace this year.

I love this necklace apple pendant lariat necklace for teacher gifts. It comes in different colors and as a bracelet option too.

This necklace with two circles intertwined comes in a box with a sweet saying about being a teacher.

If you are worried Jewelry might be too personal to pick out, try getting a travel jewelry case instead. They could use it at home or on vacation.

Cute Dish Towels

Cute dish towels are always a fun teacher gift to receive. You can either give a teacher-themed towel or something to go with the holiday coinciding with your gift.

They’ll love this fun I Teach What’s Your Super Power Towel.

This would be a fun towel for your child too.

Cute Christmas towels gift idea. Who doesn’t want to hear Christmas Calories don’t count!

DIY Gift Ideas – Candy Jar

Find out the teacher’s favorite candy bars or snacks and fill up a mason jar you can pick up at Dollar Tree. Tie a pretty ribbon on it and add a sweet note from your child for a personal touch.

No time to make your own candy jar? No problem buy store-bought candy and add this cute free printable tag to make it a little more special. The printables are in two different sizes to fit any sweet treat.

Basket of School Supplies

Has your teacher been asking for donations of school supplies? A basket of school supplies is a practical gift but something many need.

Teachers are often spending their own money on supplies needed in your child’s classroom. Find out what they need and fill up a basket of those supplies.

Find cute school supply basket ideas here.

Flowers or Plants

Brighten up your teacher’s home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers or a pretty plant. Then add a pretty vase and a note from your child if dropping it off at school.

I love this cute plant box that says Your the Best Teacher of all Thyme. The box comes with the thyme seeds to plant.

This adorable planter box says Thanks for Helping me Grow box and comes with basil leaves.

Wine

This one depends on your relationship with your teacher but who could resist the gift of a nice bottle of wine.

A fun teacher-themed wine glass might be easier if your child is the one bringing it to school.

Favorite Sports Team

Do you know a team your teacher loves or the college they went to? Find them a hat, t-shirt, or mug with their favorite team name or mascot. It’s a great way to give a more personalized gift.

Dollar Tree Gift Ideas

Did you know Dollar Tree has cute holiday & teacher mugs and wine glasses? I love the idea of filling these up with Candy, Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate mix to give to the teachers.

If you want something a little more add a gift card into the glass to complete the gift.

Here are some of our favorite Gift Baskets made with Dollar Tree items. Cute themed baskets for coffee, baking, movie nights, spa day, teacher appreciation basket ideas, and more.

They also have Teacher appreciation cards to go with your gift in the greeting cards section.

Another great item to pick up at Dollar Tree is gift bags and baskets for the other gifts on this list.

Get more ideas in Dollar Tree Christmas Gift Ideas and Holiday Decorations. You’ll save money and teachers will love it.

Class Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

It is really popular now to give a big class gift. It’s a great way to pool the student’s money together to get teachers a gift they really want.

Gift Cards

The most popular thing to give as a class gift is gift certificates. If you are planning to do this, I would go ahead and email your teacher asking them about their three favorite stores or restaurants.

With the class gift card being a bigger amount, it’s best to find a store/restaurant the teacher will use and want.

Teacher Gift Box

Give your teacher a variety of fun teacher-themed items with a holiday gift box. This would be a fun option for a smaller class or if just a few kids go in together on a gift.

Or add a gift card in the box for Starbucks to help fill up their new mugs.

Personalize the Class Gift Card with these ideas:

Picture Frame

Collect pictures from the school parties, field trips, or other fun class activities and put them in a picture frame to give the teacher along with the gift cards.

Jar of Love

Have each child write a sentence about what they love about their teacher and add it to a mason jar to give the teacher.  Who wouldn’t want a jar reminding you what a great teacher you are!!

Basket of Supplies

As I mentioned before, often the teacher is in need of more school supplies for the classroom. This would be a great addition to your gift card – something for the teacher and something for the class.

You can see examples of teacher appreciation basket ideas with school supplies in our Gift Basket Ideas.

I hope these cheap teacher appreciation gift ideas help you find the perfect gift to say thank you to your child’s teacher. Do you have another great Teacher Gift idea? Please share it with us in the comments below.

Need More Gift Ideas?

Visit our Holiday Page with budget-friendly holiday decorations, activity ideas, desserts, and more cool gift ideas.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Hilarious White Elephant Gift Ideas for Kids & Adults Under $20 – The perfect gifts under $20 for your Holiday Parties

35 Best Gift Ideas for Boys in 2022 – Top Gifts Kids Really Want This Year

Hottest Tween Girl Gift Ideas for 2022 – Unique gifts girls love

Cool Gifts for Fortnite Players & Gamers – What your Fortnite-Loving Kid hopes to get.

Easy Self-Care Activities & Gift Ideas for Busy Moms – Fun Relaxation Gift ideas Women will love this year.

Budget-Friendly Hostess Gifts with Dollar Tree Items – So cute they’ll never know how much you spent.

School Party Games for Holidays & End of the Year

Keep the fun going at school holiday parties and end-of-year parties with these fun games.

Best Free Printable Christmas Games for Kids – Easy games to play at school or Family Holiday Parties

Easy Elementary School Indoor Party Games for Kids – Easy & fun game for Room Parents & Teachers

20 Minute to Win It Game for Kids – Quick & hilarious party games for kids.

Try our Christmas Minute to Win It and Tween & Teen Minute to Win It Games too.

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Need More Activities for Kids

At Happy Mom Hacks we have tons of Kids Activities for both indoors and outdoors to fend off hearing kids say the dreaded I’m Bored. Here are a few of our favorites:

• 20 Fun & Easy Minute to Win It Games for Kids – Quick games the kids will find hilarious.
• 31 Days of Boredom Busting Indoor Games for Kids – Free Printable Activity Calendar with 31 Days of Activity Ideas.
• How to Make a Volcano at Home in 3 Easy Steps – Kids will be in awe watching a volcano explode in their own house. It’s easy to make too!
• Entertaining Rainy Day Activities for Kids – Fun ways to keep the kids busy on rainy and snowy days at home.
• Scavenger Hunts for Kids – Free printable scavenger hunts for your local neighborhood, nature preserve, and Teen hunts
• I’m Bored Jar – Free printable activities to add to an I am Bored Jar. Kids can entertain themselves by pulling out new activities.