The best gift cards for teachers

Gift cards are a great way to show appreciation to the teachers who positively impact your life but they’re also a great way to acknowledge their distinct preferences and personality. Many teachers spend their own personal money on classroom supplies so gift cards can provide some much-needed relief. They’ll also appreciate the flexibility of getting to choose their own gift. Something relaxing after a long school day. Or, perhaps, just replacing some of those out-of-pocket expenses teachers put themselves through out of a sheer generosity of spirit and love for their students. 

Below, you’ll find a list of carefully selected gift cards that we see consistently rank as favorites among educators. The following brand gift cards cover everything from daily necessities to guilt-free indulgences. These cards cover both professional needs and personal wellness.

1. Amazon Gift Card

Amazon can be a universal resource for teachers and their classrooms. Their platform offers educational materials, books, and electronics. Amazon also has just about every other product you can imagine, so if your recipient decides to go with the ‘treat yourself’ route, there’s plenty to choose from. Whether restocking classroom supplies, gathering teaching resources, or treating themselves, the options are pretty much limitless. Add the convenience of home delivery on top and you’ll be sure to bring some happiness to your favorite teacher. 

2. Target Gift Card

Target offers a blend of positives. Affordability and variety. Classroom essentials along with personal care items. Home decor or groceries. Teachers like Target because of their affordability and diverse product selection. It’s a very practical option for a gift card.

One of the best aspects of going with a Target gift card is that it addresses the realities of life as a teacher. They could get a new bulletin board for their classroom or a new coffee maker for the faculty lounge. Target also delivers and offers pick up, providing a shopping flexibility that is notable for a brick and mortar store in our modern age. Shop the Target Gift Card.

3. Starbucks Gift Card

Starbucks is one of the top purveyors of teacher fuel, also known as coffee. From early mornings to afternoon pick-me-ups, Starbucks has become a mainstay of American life and offers many great edible options beyond great coffee, such as delicious snacks, specialty teas, and other refreshing beverages. It’s a great option for teachers to get an energy boost between classes. 

Teachers will appreciate Starbucks gift cards because they’ll transform a routine coffee run into something more like a moment of selfcare. Starbucks fuels morning jump-starts or peaceful afternoon breaks. And no matter what they choose to spend it on, your recipient will find a brief escape from their demanding schedule.

4. Barnes & Noble Gift Card

Barnes & Noble connects teachers with their passion for reading and learning by offering a wide range of educational materials. This could include literature for classroom libraries, teaching resources, or even favorites to build up their personal library at home. 

Enrich your favorite teacher’s professional and leisure time and give them a gift that will resonate deeply with teachers, a population who are often passionate readers. Anyone who values continuous learning in life will find a diverse selection of great books at Barnes & Noble, so they can hone their teaching style or just find a little escapism during summer break. Shop the Barnes & Noble Gift Card.

5. Michaels Gift Card

Michaels is a go-to destination for teachers looking for arts and craft supplies. These stores also offer a selection of home decor items. Put together, Michaels is built from the ground up to cater to creative pursuits.

These are great gift cards for teachers who enjoy crafting or artistic activities. They can use the card to purchase supplies for their own projects or to support their next class project. Shop the Michaels Gift Card.

6. Spa Finder Gift Card

Spa Finder offers a ticket to premium wellness services. And who works harder and is thus more deserving of wellness, than teachers? With massages, facials, yoga classes, and other rejuvenation treatments, Spa Finder can be the perfect antidote to a physically and emotionally grueling job like teaching.

This gift acknowledges how teachers are always putting their students first, often, to the detriment of their own health. A Spa Finder Gift Card will force them to put themselves first by offering access to a plethora of local spots. By prioritizing their own wellbeing, teachers actually make themselves more effective educators, especially during demanding school years. Shop the Spa Finder Gift Card.

7. Panera Bread Gift Card

Panera Bread provides a comfy atmosphere that can be perfect for lunch breaks, lesson planning, paper grading, or just catching a peaceful meal after a long day. Their menu features fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and bakery items that cater to a diverse list of dietary preferences. 

Teachers will appreciate this option because it offers nourishment and moments of peace outside the classroom. Whether to enjoy a solo respite or to host a social outing for themselves and their fellow teachers on a Friday night, Panera offers a welcoming space that prioritizes great food and helpful staff. Shop the Panera Bread Gift Card.

8. Lowe's or Home Depot Gift Card

Home improvement stores are often overlooked as sources of gifts for teachers but they’re surprisingly popular among that demographic. These stores offer treasure troves of resources for classroom organizational systems. From storage solutions to gardening supplies, Lowe’s and Home Depot both offer a highly practical gift for teachers. Especially those who invest in making their classrooms unique, functional, and inviting. Whether they’d like to add some custom shelving, create learning centers, or start a class garden, home improvement stores provide whatever they’ll need to build something great. 

9. Ulta Gift Card

Of the two options we mentioned above, putting a gift toward their classroom or opting instead for self-care, an Ulta gift card is solidly in the latter category. This makes it a great option particularly for the teacher who is always putting others first or running themselves ragged trying to give students their best. Ulta offers a wide selection of beauty, personal care, and wellness products, and all under one roof. Teachers can choose makeup, skincare, haircare, or salon services that will help them feel at their best, confident and refreshed when they wake up and face a classroom each and every day. Ulta offers both affordable options and occasional splurges. Shop the Ulta Gift Card.

10. Restaurant Gift Cards

Gift cards from  popular restaurant chains are always a safe bet to hit the mark. Olive Garden, Chili’s, or local favorites can offer delightful breaks for teachers with grueling days in the classroom. The best part? Dining out becomes something they can look forward to without worrying about the financial burden. A fabulous dinner and night out with friends is a great way to recharge.

Ever heard of decision fatigue? When we’re drained after a hard day of work, making the small, insignificant decisions like where to go for dinner can feel like insurmountable dilemmas that almost aren’t even worth the stress. By giving a gift card, you’ll be taking that burden off that special teacher’s shoulders, if only for one night. That alone can mean so much. Even better, a gift card can turn an ordinary evening into a special occasion.

There are plenty of easy ways to elevate your gift card game and make it feel more personal. One of the best ways is to include a handwritten note. Express your heartfelt gratitude for their hard work or what kind of impact their effort has meant to your life. If you’re a parent shopping for your child’s teacher, have their student write the card and thank them for particular moments that meant a lot during the school year. 

Another great way to personalize your gift card is to pair it with some extras. Add an insulated mug to your Starbucks gift card or a cozy, reading blanket with your Barnes & Noble card. A handmade ‘Dinner’s On Us Tonight’ card can be a nice, whimsical addition to a restaurant gift card.

You can even tell a story with your gift. Create a ‘Coffee & Quiet Time’ package featuring a Starbucks gift card paired with gourmet coffee beans and a scented candle. You could craft a ‘Classroom Makeover’ bundle that includes a Michaels gift card, organizational supplies, and some decorations made by their favorite student. Or, a ‘Relax & Recharge’ box that combines a Spa Finder gift card with bath products and a gratitude journal. These are all great ways to show you put in some thought to make their day extra special.

Teachers are so important in our lives and yet, their dedication often goes unnoticed or underappreciated. Whether it’s a gift at the end of the year, during teacher appreciation week, or after helping your child navigate a particularly difficult academic hurdle, gift cards are a great way to honor their commitment to shaping minds. Check out our comprehensive collection of gift cards and find the perfect way to say thank you for all that teachers, day in and day out, contribute to our lives and the world at large.