Photo and product by ChristyStudio on Etsy
6| A new tote bag – When I was teaching, my life revolved around my tote bag. I was constantly needing one binder or another, a certain book, or that folder of corrected papers that were ready to be passed back. Essentially, a tote bag is a teacher’s life line. We put everything in there and we need to be able to snatch it up quickly when the bell rings so we can prep ourselves for the next lesson. An adorable tote like this one would really have made me feel not only prepared, but also pretty stylish while I strutted my stuff down those runways…er, hallways… Anyway, Ryan bought me this handbag from the same seller last Christmas and I am still to this day using it as my primary carry-along! It is holding up very well. The bag is super well-made, durable, and everything else that I’d hoped it would be! I sincerely recommend it 
Photo and product from BurtsBees.com
5| Burt’s Bees – This was another life line of mine when I was teaching. I did a lot of talking, a lot of grading (thus, a lot of anxious lip-biting), and, of course, a lot of standing in front of large groups of high schoolers who were forced to stare at my face for an entire 45 minute period every single day. Burt’s Bees was a simple pleasure that I gratefully indulged in. Plus, when I was talking one on one with students the delightfully minty scent helped cover up that garlic I had for lunch…which leads me to number 4!
Photo and product by LeBellaCaramella on Etsy
4| Candies – As I just mentioned, I often found myself consulting a student or working closely with another teacher, and wondering if they could smell whatever pungent delicacy I had devoured for lunch. Rather than stressing endlessly over my breath, or — even worse — not eating the delicious food to begin with, I kept a stash of mints close at hand (in my tote bag, of course). Seeing as giving a teacher a pack of mints for Christmas might seem a tad insenstive, I’d go with candies. You don’t want to offend. Candies will cover the bad breath well enough to offer Teach a bit of relief while you don’t unwittingly put yourself or your child on her (or his!) bad side.
Photo and product by ChocolateAndRibbons on Etsy
3| Water bottle - Yet another essential for any teacher. We’re talking all day long and heaven forbid we get hoarse! Keep us hydrated with fresh fountain water (ha). Going reusable will really help him or her cut down on plastic consumption and general pollution, and it gives you a really great idea for a gift! Get it personalized if you can think of the right thing to say, otherwise stick to a basic graphic and cross your fingers while you hope for the best!
Photo and product by PaperLink on Etsy
2| Paper journal - While it would be ideal for schools to always provide the materials a teacher needs to be successful, unfortunately that convenience is just a dream for most teachers. At least by providing this gift-worthy teacher a blank pad of paper you’ll be encouraging him or her to pen some new and fabulous lessons free of charge!
Photo and product by ADahlberg on Etsy
1| A lovely potted plant - This will spice up her boring desk and give her something to look forward to every day. Nourishing another living thing will give her relief from the paper pushing, disciplining, brain numbing normalcy of being a teacher (you can clearly tell I have a high opinion of the profession 
) Plus, it’ll make her look just a little less intimidating behind that big heavy desk.
LAST MINUTE EMERGENCY GIFT:
Photo and product by GallardoWorks on Etsy
A desk calendar - An ever present desk calendar could be just the thing he or she needs. I’m sure she has a weekly planner somewhere in that bag, but if she had a little calendar that she could prop up on her desk, that would make assigning due dates all the easier! Then again, maybe you don’t want to give her a desk calendar…
(Click any of the photos for a direct link to the Etsy shop where it is sold. And make sure to check out my other 2010 Holiday Gift Guides!)
