You may have missed the Christmas gift-giving window, but how refreshing to start the new school term off in your favourite teacher’s good graces!

Pass on apple-themed ideas, though – you’re older than that. No bath gels, candles, or a “#1 Teacher” coffee mug either — she has more than enough of those.

Here are a few more creative ideas:

1. Personalised Notepad

Instructors always have hundreds of things on their mind at any given moment, so one of the best ways to help them stay organised — and therefore stay sane!

For a cute and inexpensive present around the holidays, have a notepad with the teacher’s name made from sites like Shutterfly. When teachers have to write down a quick reminder for later or do some small calculations, their new helper will be right on their desk waiting to aid in the task.

2. A Good Laugh

Being in front of a classroom all day can be beyond stressful, so having a chuckle at the end of the day that only fellow teachers understand will put everything in perspective.

Find a book such as F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers. It’s full of gems such as:

Q: Use the word “doldrums” in a sentence.

A: “I cannot play the doldrums.”

Not only will your teacher get a nice boost throughout the day, but it’s sure to be passed around the staffroom.

3. Grading Stamps

If you’re looking for the best gifts for teachers, you can’t ignore something that will make grading all those papers much easier. Personalised grading stamps will make getting tests back more fun for the kids — it’s like an extra fun reward — and it’s more practical than something disposable like stickers.

4. Tote Bag

It’s no secret that teachers are always bringing work home with them, whether it’s books to write lesson plans or papers to grade. Make life a bit easier with a handy tote bag that can hold everything they’ll need. Whether you go for something with a cute quote about being an educator or something personalised, that’s up to you, but it’s sure to be a gift that keeps on giving.

5. Charity Donation

Teachers love making a difference in other people’s lives — afterall, they do it every day. So if you know there’s a cause that’s near and dear to his or her heart, making a donation to that charity will mean the world. Give the teacher the donation slip, along with a thank-you note to make his or her New Year extra merry and bright.

6. Books

Many instructors love to wind down at the end of the day or over the weekend with a good read. Getting a gift certificate to a book store with specific instructions to use it for a book or magazine that piques their interest outside the classroom will be one of the best gifts for teachers who are proud bookworms.

No matter what gift you give, teachers will be thrilled to be reminded how appreciated they are by students and their parents.

— stemjobs.com