Back-to-school gifts for teachers, says a former preschool teacher

As a former preschool teacher, my mom was grateful for every gift her family gave her. During the back-to-school season, she received everything from cash and gift cards to mugs and bath supplies. While some are more useful than others, my mom tells me that teacher gifts are not necessary and that many of her favorite gifts are thoughtful notes from parents or students.

If you’re looking to buy something a little something for your child’s teacher to kick off the school year, my mom is sharing her list of the best back-to-school teacher gifts. From 35% off coffee mug warmers to portable power banks, these are the gifts my mom recommends to teachers.

Mr. Coffee cup warmer

Teachers don’t always finish their coffee while it’s still hot—in fact, they rarely do in between last-minute photocopies and herding cats (I mean, kids). This coffee cup warmer works like a heating pad to prevent coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more from getting cold. Drinks take just minutes to warm up, and a red light indicator lets you know when the surface is hot.

Mr. Coffee thermos mugs are currently on sale for 35% off.

Lands’ End medium natural 5-pocket canvas tote bag

A personalized tote bag was one of the best teacher gifts a family ever gave my mom. It became her designated school bag, reminding her of this lovely student every day. This Lands’ End canvas tote is similar, but this tote can hold up to 500 pounds. It has five pockets and a keychain accessory to keep you organized. A unique feature is the waterproof base, so if the teacher drops the bag into liquid, the paper inside will stay nice and dry.

Choose from 17 trim colors, four sizes, two handle lengths, and open or zippered tops.

Cravebox gourmet specialty snack box

When hunger strikes, teachers can’t just run to the vending machine and buy something to satisfy their cravings. A box filled with quality individually wrapped snacks is sure to come in handy. Snack boxes provide a month’s supply of cookies, crackers, granola bars, popcorn and more. Plus, as my mom pointed out, when kids forget a snack or lunch, the teacher can take it out of the box to make sure they don’t go without.

Naturium Biolipid Repair Body Lotion

Washing and sanitizing your hands is just as important in school as it is in actual classes, but here’s the thing: while your hands may be clean, they’re also going to be dry. Naturium Body Lotion is carefully fortified with ingredients like Shea Butter and Omega Fatty Acids to restore skin’s natural barrier and absorb quickly without feeling greasy. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about skin sensitivity.

Miisso 6000mAh ultra-thin power bank

There is no time to charge your phone while traveling back and forth between classrooms or desks. This portable power bank lets you charge up to three devices simultaneously on the go. It’s about the size of a credit card and slim enough to slip into your back pocket at the same time as your phone. It only takes a few hours to fully charge the power bank and teachers are ready to go.

Gutimo Rechargeable Hand Warmers, 2-Pack

Reusable hand warmers are the gift that keeps on giving. These rechargeable hand warmers last up to 12 hours and have three heating levels. Each piece weighs only 3.5 ounces, which is about one-third the size of a cell phone. The best part? Use them individually or together. They also have a 30% discount right now.

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