Thanks, Professor! 15 A+ Gifts for College Teachers
Are you looking for the perfect gift for your college professor? This post is packed with unique, interesting, and fun gifts for your favorite professor!
College professors do so much more than teach! They mentor, inspire, and often go out of their way to help students succeed.
Finding thoughtful professor gifts is one way to show your gratitude for their time, effort, and dedication.
The right gift for your college teacher doesn’t need to be expensive or extravagant. What matters most is that the professor’s gift reflects appreciation and consideration for their interests.
Whether you’re looking for holiday gifts, a thank you gift at the end of the semester, or a thoughtful special occasion present, here are several meaningful gift ideas that professors will actually appreciate!
15 of the best college professor gifts!
These thoughtful, unique, fun gifts will definitely be appreciated!
Practical gifts for college professors
Professors always appreciate items that make their daily work more pleasant.
1. A Nice Notebook
Professors will always appreciate things that make their jobs easier and more pleasant.
This sturdy notebook is an upgrade. With acid free paper, a pocket, bookmark, and elastic closure, it’s durable and aesthetic.
It’s perfect for a professor to jot down notes, make a sketch, or capture inspiring conversations.
2. Tote Bag
Professors have a lot of stuff to carry across campus.
This fun tote will hold their papers, books, notebooks, pens, and more.
Your professor will love the nod to library books of the past!
3. Yeti Coffee mug
Available in a wide range of hues, to match your school colors, this stainless steel, reusable coffee mug is great for a professor who’s always drinking coffee.
The insulated mug will keep beverages warm on a trek across campus.
The durable exterior will hold up to being tossed into a backpack with books, keys, and notebooks.
Add a gift card to a local coffee shop, and your gift will be perfect!
4. Travel Thermos with Tea Infuser
If your favorite professor prefers to caffeinate with tea, this travel thermos with a tea infuser is the perfect gift!
Your professor can brew loose leaf tea or a tea bag while on the go, and enjoy hot tea during your class discussions.
Add a sampler pack of loose leaf teas, and your professor will be over the moon at your thoughtfulness!
Of course, it can also be used for hot coffee or iced drinks as well!
Fun, Personal and Thoughtful Gifts
These creative gifts show genuine appreciation for your professor.
5. Desktop Planter
Bring a little greenery into your professor’s office with this desktop terrarium/planter.
It can hold cut flowers or small plants, and it won’t take up too much space in your professor’s office.
6. Zen Garden
Being a professor can be stressful! Give your favorite professor a gift that will inspire calm.
This Zen Garden kit is perfect for your professor’s desk and will be especially welcome during final exam and grading season!
7. Vintage Travel Poster
If you know your professor’s favorite travel destination, give them a vintage travel poster.
This one is of London, but you’ll find posters from all around the world also listed here!
8. Magic 8 Ball
Professors have to give a lot of advice and often help college students make decisions about their future. Should they change majors? Get a job? Go to grad school?
This is guaranteed to be a hit on your professors desk, both with your professor and next year’s students!
9. Chocolate bars
Chocolate sweetens everyone’s day, so give your professor a sampler bag of mini Tony’s Chocolonely bars.
The variety bag includes the tastiest classic Tony’s flavors, including: Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt, Milk Chocolate Honey Almond Nougat, Dark Milk Chocolate Pretzel Toffee, Dark Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt.
Subject-Specific Gifts
Tailoring a gift to your professor’s field shows extra thought.
10. Reading Nook Candle
English teachers always enjoy a beautifully bound edition of a classic novel or new release. But who knows what your teacher already has?
This delightful “reading nook” scented candle will encourage them to take some time to read, but save you the difficult decision of choosing a specific book!
Because any professor looks forward to a chance to read!
11. Math Art Book
Your math professor will love this book about the beauty of math.
This book explains the math behind creative works of art.
12. Science Formulas Pint Glass
Your professor will certainly raise a glass to you if you give them this pint glass covered with science formulas!
This glass is a fun gift for a chemistry professor, physics professor, or any other science teacher!
13. Chronology Game
Get your history professor something fun that lets their expertise shine: a game where players make history!
In this game, players put events in chronological order and build a timeline of historic events.
Free Gifts for Professors
You don’t need to spend much money on a gift for your professor. In fact here are two free options they will truly appreciate!
14. Complete the Course Evaluation
You know how at the end of the semester, you’re supposed to complete the course evaluation?
Well, most students don’t! However, course evaluations actually are really important for a professor’s promotion and tenure review.
While your professor won’t know it’s you (course evaluations are anonymous), they would really appreciate a detailed review of their class and teaching techniques!
15. write a personal note
Professors truly appreciate receiving personal notes from their college students.
Take the time to write a handwritten note mentioning specific things you’ve learned or ways your professor has helped you.
Even a short message in a card will be appreciated.
If money is tight and you can’t afford a gift, a thank you note is the perfect gift for professors!
When to give a professor a gift
It’s never expected that a college student should give a gift to a professor. However, it you feel like doing so, your professor would be delighted.
Some appropriate reasons to give your professor a gift would be:
- If your professor is promoted to Full Professor
- When your professor has mentored you with completing a thesis or dissertation
- For a professor’s birthday
- As a thank you for writing letters of recommendation for a job or grad school
- When your professor has mentored you through a difficult personal situation
- At the holidays
Final thoughts on Best Professor gifts
Choosing a gift for a professor is really about acknowledging the impact they’ve had on your academic journey.
If you give a practical item or a unique gift, even a small gesture can leave a lasting impression.
No matter which great gift you choose for your college professor, add a thoughtful note of appreciation!
The best teacher gifts are ones that recognize your professor’s hard work and express your gratitude in a sincere way. No matter which type of gift you choose, your professor will appreciate the effort and the sentiment behind it.
Still looking for gifts? Check out the best advent calendars for students , Christmas gifts for college girls, and Christmas gifts for college guys.
