Over the past few years, I’ve put together teacher gift guides to hopefully make your life a little bit easier this holiday season. From gifts that teachers who love Chromebooks might enjoy, to favorite books about education, I’ve compiled several lists with favorite gift ideas. This year, I took a bit of a different spin and created a list of teacher Secret Santa Gift Ideas that are all under $15.
Just like my guides in the past, I’ve included my Amazon affiliate links with each item. It’s my usual stop for online shopping this time of year, but I’m sure you can find these items in other spots, too.
Teacher Secret Santa Gift Ideas
In addition to the links below, you can scroll down to the bottom of this post to see ALL of my gift guides. You are welcome to forward this email to a friend. And of course, you can share the link to this post on social media if you think your friends or colleagues would like to take a look, too!
I am sending lots of positive vibes your way this holiday season! I’m so grateful to have met so many educators in my travels this year and can’t wait to connect both virtually and in-person as we move into the new decade.
As I get ready to hit publish on this post, all items are on sale for under $15. Sometimes Amazon changes its prices. The links below will take you to the most up-to-date prices, discounts, and customer reviews.
Note: This post was first published in 2019 and updated in November 2023. For a few of the items below, I include a reference to the price. These are the prices that are currently listed as of 11/23 and may shift when you click on them.
Tech-Friendly Gift Ideas
Travel Electronics Organizer Bag
Any tech-lover is probably swimming in cords — at least that’s how I feel sometimes. This travel electronics bag might be just the thing a tech-loving teacher in your life would appreciate. You’ll find lots of organizational options on Amazon, but this one is under our $15 mark for this blog post.
Stylus Keychain 10-Pack
Instead of just one item, this 10-pack of stylus keychains could be another option. It’s a great choice for a few quick thank you gifts for colleagues who have helped you out this year. You might add a note to go along with it or leave it as a surprise for them to find. This stylus works with a range of touchscreens.
Luggage Scale
If you have a teacher friend who is traveling this year, a luggage scale might come in handy. As a frequent traveler, I know the feeling of waiting for the numbers to come in when I’m checking a bag. This small but mighty travel tool is a useful selection for teachers planning holiday travel.
USB-Friendly Teacher Gifts
Keeping with the USB mini theme, here’s an option for a mini-humidifier that also charges with a USB charger. It also lights up in seven different colors and is an excellent gift for a traveling teacher.
Know someone who likes to stay cool? This fan plugs right into a USB port. It uses the power from your computer to get it going and even comes in a few different colors. This mini desk is small enough to fit in a teacher’s mailbox for a quick surprise, too!
Wearable Techy Gifts
This hat is a practical choice for a teacher who might bike to work or go for a morning run before school starts. Despite daylight savings changing the clocks a few weeks ago, I still find myself surprised at how dark it is each morning. This beanie comes in two colors and charges using a USB port.
Another beanie hat option is this wireless BlueTooth option. I just added it to my Amazon cart and excited to check it out. The reviews look promising, so I wanted to add it to the list in case this option was new for you too!
These winter gloves are friendly for tech-lovers. They make it easy to check in on a touchscreen when it’s chilly outside. Now, this fall I’ve made stops in a couple chilly (and snowy!) spots, so I’m always on the lookout for these winter options.
Another wearable, techy option are these flashlight gloves. Keeping under our $15 mark, these might be a “good fit” for someone on your list this year.
EdTech Books for Teachers
I love featuring books from EdTech authors on my blog, and regular followers (sign up here) may have seen author interviews in their inbox. The titles I’ve shared below have digital versions you might “gift” to a teacher on your list by sending them the link along with a gift card.
Power Up Your Classroom (Kindle)
Just this month on the blog, I shared Power Up Your Classroom by co-authors Cate Tolnai and Lindsey Blass. They have put together an excellent resource for teachers. They were kind enough to answer some of my questions about the book in this blog post. You can grab the Kindle version for under $15.
Using AI Chatbots to Enhance Planning and Instruction (Quick Reference Guide)
My new quick reference guide is under $15 and a great alternative to giving a book to a busy teacher. It has lots of time-saving tips that I’m sure your colleagues will appreciate. This quick reference guide is made for someone new to AI or with experiences and looking for new ideas.
Creatively Productive (Kindle)
What does it look like to be productive, creatively? Making the most of both digital and analog tools can be a challenge for learners of all ages. Finding your flow, staying on task, and making sure you have everything you need for a successful school year is easier said than done. Lisa Johnson shares more about her book in this blog post on how to be creatively productive, but you can grab the Kindle version for under $10.
Inquiry Mindset (audiobook)
I shared strategies to promote inquiry alongside an interview with the Inquiry Mindset co-author Trevor MacKenzie. Trevor and Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt’s book was recently released in audiobook format. You can grab it on Amazon for under $12 right now.
A few more titles for teacher Secret Santa gifts:
- You Can Do This: Hope and Help for New Teachers by Robyn R. Jackson
- Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes by Jimmy Casas
- I Got Schooled: The Unlikely Story of How a Moonlighting Movie Maker Learned the Five Keys to Closing America’s Education Gap by M. Night Shyamalan
Teacher Gift Guides from year’s past!
- I Asked, They Shared: Gifts for Teachers
- Gift Ideas for Teachers: iPad Classroom Gift Guide
- Gift Ideas for Teachers: Chromebook Classroom Gift Guide
- 2018 Teacher Gifts: Favorites for Holiday Shopping
- Gift Ideas for Teachers: Books I’ve Loved This Year + Extras
- 10 Low-Cost, Techy Gift Ideas for Teachers
- Amazon Prime Day for Teachers
Do you have a favorite gift idea to add to the list? Share the link along with your recommendation for a teacher Secret Santa gift idea on your favorite social media channel and tag @classtechtips. Or leave a comment with your gift idea below!
