Table of Contents
- Best Gifts for Professors: Unique Gift Ideas to Show Your Gratitude
- 1. Novelty Mugs
- 2. Desk Organizer
- 3. Rollerball Pen Gift Box Set
- 4. Magazine Rack/File Organizer
- 5. Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen
- 6. Traveler’s Notebook in Regular Size
- 7. Desk Cup Holder Clamp
- 8. Amazon Gift Card
- 9. Personalized Stationery
- 10. Lap Desk
- 11. Hidrate Spark Tap Stainless Drinking Bottle
- 12. Kokuyo Haco-Biz Pen Bag/Stand
- 13. Ticktime Pomodoro Timer
- 14. Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker Kit
- 15. The Snack Bar Healthy Snack Care Package
- 16. Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps – Assorted Size
- 17. Gift Tea Set
- 18. Boogie Board
- 19. Mindfulness Cards
- 20. Noted by Post-it Printed Notes 4-Piece Gift Box
- Other Gift Ideas for Professors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Disclosure: TheGradCafe is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
There are many reasons to give your professors a gift, though showing gratitude is always at the top of the list.
Whether you are saying thank you to your professor because they wrote you a letter of recommendation or because you’re just trying to say thank you in general, it’s a good idea to look at a few unique gifts to give professors.
We understand that coming up with your own ideas may be challenging, especially if you aren’t particularly close to your professor. Not close enough to know their interests and tastes, anyway!
To help you out, we’ve put together this massive list of gifts for professors. We did our best to include unique gift ideas that will make an impression and be memorable to your professor. You can choose one from the recommendations below or use this list as a reference point as you come up with a better option.
Best Gifts for Professors: Unique Gift Ideas to Show Your Gratitude
1. Novelty Mugs
There’s no doubt that your professor probably already has a few mugs in their collection given to them by former students. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t give them another one to add to their growing assortment.
Consider mugs like the ones below:
 |
 |
 |
Why is it a good gift?
Novelty mugs are a thoughtful yet practical gift. Whether your professor prefers tea or coffee, they can use the mug for drinking as they please. And if their collections are overflowing, they can always use the mug as a small planter or a pen cup — or even just store it for future use!
2. Desk Organizer
This desk organizer comes in three sizes in eco-friendly bamboo but also comes in pine (one size). Placed on a desk, this organizer can help professors keep their small supplies and items sorted and easy to find. The right size can help professors store papers, small books, notebooks, and notepads.
Why is it a good gift?
Professors’ desks can get cluttered fast, especially considering how many files, papers, books, and other items they often have. A durable desk organizer can help keep their desktop clear.
3. Rollerball Pen Gift Box Set
A rollerball is a smooth-writing pen that you can refill as needed. This one, in particular, is the Parker IM in matte blue in a Medium nib (approx. 0.5mm). You can get this pen engraved with your professor’s name or a very short phrase if you wish.
Consider this Parker IM set if you would like a non-engraved rollerball pen that also comes with a ballpoint pen.
Why is it a good gift?
A smooth-writing, professional-looking pen is always a great thing to have handy. They also last forever, as long as your professor doesn’t lose them!
4. Magazine Rack/File Organizer
A simple wire design magazine rack or file organizer makes a fantastic yet affordable gift for your professor. The one pictured above comes in black, silver, gold, or rose gold, so you can choose the one you think the receiver may like best.
Why is it a good gift?
When put on a desk or shelf, your professor can use this item to help organize files and keep them easily accessible. On an office coffee table, it would make a great place to store magazines and coffee table books for those waiting to be seen during office hours.
5. Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen
If you like the thought of gifting a pen but want to give a slightly more unique one, try the Pilot Metropolitan. The one pictured above features a Fine nib and comes with a cartridge of ink ready to use. If you’d like, you can also gift them a box of cartridges (or two), so they can have refills handy.
Why is it a good gift?
Fountain pens used to be the primary writing tool a century ago. These days, they’re more often used by hobbyists or professionals like lawyers and politicians. However, fountain pens offer a unique writing experience. The Pilot Metropolitan, in particular, is known as one of the best entry-level fountain pens thanks to its incredibly smooth and reliable writing experience.
6. Traveler’s Notebook in Regular Size
Traveler’s Notebooks come with genuine leather covers, making them look and feel premium. The durable leather lasts years of use and starts to bear marks of wear and loving use over the years, making them unmistakably ‘yours.’ You can fill these notebooks with a wide variety of inserts, including blank, ruled, grid, and dotted notebooks. There are also dated and undated planner inserts.
It’s worth noting that Traveler’s Notebooks are known to have extremely high-quality paper that resists ink bleedthrough.
You can also buy this notebook in passport size.
Why is it a good gift?
The Traveler’s Notebook is extraordinarily flexible and can be configured in any way the user wants. If your professor wants to use the notebook as their monthly/weekly/daily planner and general notebook, they can! The cover can fit up to four inserts or three inserts and other items like folders, zippered pockets, and more. If you like, you can also give them some silicone connecting bands so they can add their inserts as they please.
7. Desk Cup Holder Clamp
This desk cup holder clamp grabs onto desktops or other surfaces with a C-clamp. Its sturdy design and construction allows it to support up to 11lbs of weight, and its double-wall insulated beverage compartment can fit containers up to 3.74 inches/90 mm wide.
Why is it a good gift?
No matter how careful your professor may be, coffee (or tea) spills are inevitable. And, as we all know, spills can quickly pile more frustration onto an already frustrating day. This desk cup holder clamp allows your professor to keep their coffee off their desktop, minimizing spills and accidental knocks into their beverage. Plus, they can use the hook underneath to hang their headphones or bag!
8. Amazon Gift Card
If you’re struggling to come up with gift ideas or want something simple and universally likable, consider giving your professor an Amazon gift card. You can choose from various designs and give them in a box (as pictured above). Gift cards come in options of $25, $50, or more, but you can also specify an amount you’d like instead.
Why is it a good gift?
Gift cards are always useful and will always make an excellent gift for a professor, though they may seem somewhat impersonal. If you choose to go this route, you might want to include a thank you card to give your gift a bit more personal.
9. Personalized Stationery
There’s nothing quite like sending notes and letters out on customized stationery. If your professor doesn’t already have their own, you can gift them a set like the ones below:
 Personalized Professional FLAT Office Stationery (Customizable size and quantity) |
 Premium Linen Custom Printed Stationery – 100 Pack (Letter Size) |
Why is it a good gift?
Customized stationery is one of the more unique gift ideas for your professor. You can choose a simpler design or something a bit more complex. Either way, your professor will likely enjoy having letterheads or cards with their name, initials, or monogram!
10. Lap Desk
This oversized and padded bamboo lap desk is one of the top contenders for the title of the best gift for professors. It has an easy carry handle, a tablet or phone slot, and a strap to help hold down cards, papers, and more. Measuring 21.1 x 12.9 x 3.74 inches, this lap desk can support laptops with screens up to 17.3”. Its design also stops laptops from sliding off when used at an angle.
Why is it a good gift?
Sometimes, your professor might just want to use their laptop anywhere else but their desk. This oversized lap desk gives them a more comfortable surface on which to use their computer while on the couch, bed, and more. The lap desk also works great as a work surface, even when used without a laptop.
11. Hidrate Spark Tap Stainless Drinking Bottle
Staying hydrated is vital to good health, and the Hidrate Spark Tap is here to help. This 20 oz. (591 mL) bottle comes in six colors, and you can choose between the chug lid or the straw lid. The Hidrate Spark Tap is made of durable, insulated stainless steel to help keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours. It’s also BPA-Free.
What makes the Hidrate Spark Tap unique is that it’s a ‘smart’ bottle that can sync with an app on your Android or iOS mobile device. It reminds users to drink 12 times daily using the glow from its LED-lit bottom. Users can customize the glow, turn it on or off, establish a pattern, or even “snooze” the glow for a later reminder.
When used with the app, tapping an NFC-activated phone to a full bottle allows hydration tracking, letting users track how much they’ve drunk in a day.
The Hidrate Spark Tap also syncs with select smartwatches.
Why is it a good gift?
The Hidrate Spark Tap bottle is, in a way, an unnecessary novelty. At best, it’s an insulated bottle that keeps beverages hot or cold while reminding the owner to drink regularly. At worst, it’s a slightly overpriced insulated bottle that does the same thing (though it’s around the same price range as bottles like the Hydro Flasks). We included this bottle on this list of professor gift ideas because it’s practical and can help keep your professor hydrated — especially if they’re busy and consistently forget to drink!
12. Kokuyo Haco-Biz Pen Bag/Stand
The Kokuyo Haco-Biz is a Japanese-made pen and supply bag that can also double as a stand. It’s always an excellent inclusion on lists of gifts for academics, especially for those who might struggle to stay organized.
The Haco-Biz pictured here comes in the Large size, with the dimensions of 8.4 x 1.7 x 7.2 inches. It features a double zipper and a handle on the top for easy carrying. However, what we love about this bag is that when opened, you can fold the front part down and snap the little flap to the folded front. Configured this way, the Haco-Biz becomes a stable pen and supply stand that can hold all sorts of items — even calculators and small notebooks or notepads. The front section also doubles as a phone stand, as seen in the photo above.
Why is it a good gift?
The Haco-Biz is a great little bag to help your professor stay organized. Its portability and ability to become a pen stand make it second to none when it comes to quick workspace setups and cleanups. Now, your professor can keep their supplies and small items in one place that they can zip up and take with them wherever they go.
13. Ticktime Pomodoro Timer
Nowadays, more people are aware of the Pomodoro technique. It’s become such a beloved productivity tool for many that there have been countless apps, browser extensions, products, and tools created for it. Even Alexa has a Pomodoro timer skill you can use.
The Ticktime Pomodoro Timer is another product to help you use the technique easily. It has plenty of features, but its best asset is its preset timing module function. Flip any numbered side up, and the timer will count down that many minutes. This product has six preset modules for 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 30 minutes.
Why is this a good gift?
Even professors are vulnerable to distraction and time management struggles. The Ticktime Pomodoro Timer can help with time management — plus, it’s also useful for working out, cooking, and more.
14. Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker Kit
The Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Marker Kit includes twelve markers — eight with chisel tips and four with fine tips. It also includes a whiteboard eraser and a whiteboard cleaning fluid.
Why is this a good gift?
Sure, this kit isn’t the fanciest gift to give your professor, but it’s extremely practical! Professors spend a lot of time writing on whiteboards, and there’s no doubt that they go through dry erase markers quickly. This set gives them plenty to use for quite some time.
15. The Snack Bar Healthy Snack Care Package
The Snack Bar’s Healthy Snack Care Package comes in a 30-piece set or a slightly more expensive 52-piece set. In it, you’ll find an assortment of healthier snacks, including over 2.5 pounds of fruit snacks, fresh bars, and more. If any item pictured is unavailable, The Snack Bar will replace it with an item of equal or greater value (that’s also just as healthy).
Why is this a good gift?
Food is always a great gift to give. Everyone eats, and everyone snacks! This healthy snack care package is bound to have something your professor will enjoy.
16. Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps – Assorted Size
The Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps come in four designs and three sizes (small, medium, and large). This particular pack is an assorted-size bundle of three containing one small, one medium, and one large wrap.
Beeswax food wraps are environmentally-friendly, reusable, and healthier alternatives to wrapping food with plastic or silicone. When properly cared for, these wraps are usable for a year. That’s a lot of plastic prevented from going into landfills!
Why is this a good gift?
Beeswax food wraps make good gifts for professors who are environmentally conscious. Besides, these wraps are just great, handy ways to bring lunch to campus or to cover bowls and other containers instead of using cling wrap.
17. Gift Tea Set
 |
 |
Both tea sets featured above come with 45 tea bags of various flavors and mixes. They even already come in gift boxes, so you don’t have to think about making them presentable!
Why is this a good gift?
Tea sampler sets make excellent presents for professors who love tea or warm beverages in general. These sets are also neutral and are in a great price range.
18. Boogie Board
The Boogie Board is a fun little invention that makes it possible to write quick notes and reminders. It’s also usable for calculations, scribbles, brainstorming, mind mapping, and more. You can write on the boogie board with anything, including the included stylus, your pen cap, or any other blunt implement. Erasing the writing on the board is incredibly simple — just push the button on the top of the board.
Why is this a good gift?
Boogie Boards can minimize the clutter on top of your professor’s desk. They also help keep paper waste to a minimum. Messages also stay forever unless the button on the top of the board is pressed. This board is helpful on a desk, on a fridge, or anywhere else where notes and reminders might help!
19. Mindfulness Cards
This set of 52 mindfulness cards contains 52 professionally-created exercises to help with reducing anxiety, relieving stress, boosting relaxation, and starting a habit of meditation. These exercises were designed for daily use and can help give a moment of peace on an extremely busy and stressful day.
The Mindfulness Cards featured above are helpful to anyone of any age.
Why is this a good gift?
Everyone needs a moment to recenter themselves some days. These mindfulness cards are a fantastic choice to give your professor if they need a “mind vacation.” These cards can help your professor get into meditation or mindfulness if it’s something they’ve always wanted to do but were never able to start.
20. Noted by Post-it Printed Notes 4-Piece Gift Box
This Noted by Post-it Printed Notes 4-Piece Gift Box includes three types of sticky notes: a to-do list, a smaller pad with check boxes, and a round pad. The set also includes five pens.
Why is this a good gift?
You can never have enough Post-its! Post-it box sets make excellent gifts for a professor who loves putting sticky notes on everything. This set, in particular, is even better for professors who love checklists and to-do lists. The pens are also handy!
Other Gift Ideas for Professors
Not everyone likes giving monetary gifts. Some people also like giving more personal gifts that can be more memorable. If you’re on a budget or want other ideas for presents for your professor, you can consider some of the suggestions below.
Baked or Cooked Goods
It’s hard to go wrong with baked or cooked goods — especially if you made them yourself! Consider making something simple like cookies or brownies. You can even try making something unique from a different cuisine, though you may want to try a practice run before you give a batch as a gift! Don’t forget to package your goods in a presentable container!
A Thank-You Card or Letter
If you don’t feel like you have the time or resources to cook or bake something, you can always choose to give a simple thank-you card or letter. A heartfelt message of gratitude will always be one of the best professor gifts you can give!
Something Handmade
You can always consider giving your professor something you made by hand! If you have a hobby like crocheting, knitting, woodworking, sewing, painting, drawing, and the like, you can give your professor something personalized.
Your professor will most likely appreciate your gift for many years, especially knowing that you spent the time and effort making it yourself. Plus, it’s a great excuse to indulge yourself in your hobby!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a student give a professor a gift?
Absolutely! It’s certainly possible (and common) for students to give their professors a gift as a show of gratitude for any reason. Students often give their teachers a gift to thank them for their guidance, mentorship, and positive impact. Another common reason for students to give gifts is to say thank you for a letter of recommendation.
Should I give my professor a thank you card?
A thank you card can be a fantastic way to show your gratitude without having to spend too much money. A card becomes an even better show of appreciation if you write a personal message inside. Consider penning a quick note of gratitude explaining the positive impact they have made on your education (and your life).
Which gift is best for a professor?
There are plenty of great gifts for college professors, and it can genuinely take work to find the best one. There are many factors to consider, such as a gift’s cost, suitability, usefulness or practicality, and more. If you aren’t sure what to give, you can always opt for universally-liked options such as gift cards, gift baskets and care packages, baked goods, or thank you cards.
Should I give a gift for a letter of recommendation?
Professors take time out of their busy schedules to write your letters of recommendation. Although it is not required to give them a gift or thank-you letter in return, it is often considered a good practice. If you do not have the budget to give a gift, you can always write a letter to show your gratitude instead!
Is $50 too much for a teacher gift?
When choosing a gift for your teacher, it’s a good idea to spend between $20 to $30. However, if you have a bigger budget, you may give a gift of around $50. Anything in excess may be deemed ‘inappropriate’ unless you have a closer mentorship-type relationship. It’s best to assess your relationship with your professor to determine the most appropriate gift cost.
Conclusion
Choosing gifts for professors can feel like a daunting task if you are indecisive or don’t know where to begin looking. Luckily, there are plenty of unique ideas you can consider, such as the ones listed above. At worst, you can always go with a universally-liked gift such as a gift basket, baked goods, or a gift card.
We hope this list of recommendations has helped you find the right gift for your professor. If you think we missed anything that should be on this list, let us know in the comments below!
Did your professor recently finish their PhD? Try one of these PhD graduation gifts instead.
Related:
- Top 7 Best Academic Planners
- What is the Best iPad for Students?
- Top 7 Best Desks For Students You Can Buy Online
Chriselle has been a passionate professional content writer for over 10 years. She writes educational content for The Grad Cafe, Productivity Spot, The College Monk, and other digital publications. When she isn't busy writing, she spends her time streaming video games and learning new skills.
