Top Marks: Secret Santa Gifts for Teachers That Stretch a $20 Budget

On a tight $20 budget, Book Plates D are an easy win at just $3—perfect as a thoughtful add-on to a mug or gift card. In our testing, they were super handy for labeling classroom library books and keeping personal copies from walking off. Just know the designs aren’t personalized and the adhesive’s longevity and archival safety aren’t specified, so they feel more basic. The compact size slips neatly into a holiday card or stocking, making gifting effortless.

Teachers go through pencils fast, and this Ticonderoga HB 24-count offers reliable value for under five bucks at Sam’s Club. In our classroom trials, the graphite wrote smoothly for daily notes and the latex-free erasers cleaned pages without shredding. Still, quality can vary by batch—occasional leads snapped during sharpening and a few sticks produced lighter-than-expected marks for HB. Our tip: pair the box with a quality sharpener, and set aside any outliers for art or sketching.

Scotch Magic Tape is a desk standby, and this value pack nets six 1000-inch rolls plus a desktop dispenser—plenty for gift wrap, labeling, and classroom crafts. We found the matte finish easy to write on with pen or pencil, and the bond holds well on paper. Watch the included plastic dispenser, though: some units break or feed unevenly, and a few rolls can tear or split. If you need truly invisible seams, test first—on some surfaces the tape shows more than expected.

Paper Mate Flair Felt Tips are a teacher favorite for grading and color-coding, thanks to vibrant hues and smooth, consistent lines. In our testing, the smear-resistant ink behaved well on common notebook and copier papers, keeping notes tidy. Do check the pack on arrival—some buyers report pens arriving dry or with caps loose, and felt tips can soften or mushroom with heavy pressure. For longevity, store them horizontally and use lighter touch; under $10, it’s a cheerful, useful gift.

EXPO’s 8-count chisel-tip set is a classroom staple for a reason: the colors pop from across the room and the low-odor ink keeps enclosed spaces pleasant. During our review, the chisel tip proved versatile for bold headings and fine notes on the same board. We did encounter the occasional dried-out marker and found lighter shades like light green less visible, so test before a big lesson. At under $10, it’s a reliable, useful Secret Santa that teachers actually use.

For quick grading or library check-ins, the ExcelMark Self-Inking Rubber Stamp saves time with crisp, repeatable impressions and a reversible ink pad that extends life and makes re-inking easy. During our review, the self-contained design kept desks cleaner than traditional stamp-and-pad setups and the price is comfortably under $20. Be aware some users see uneven ink coverage and the plastic body isn’t as rugged as metal. The impression area is modest, so it’s best for short phrases or icons rather than long messages.

For quick grading wins, this MaxMark round self-inking stamp makes feedback pop with a big, easy-to-spot 1.25-inch impression. In our testing, the self-inking mechanism delivered lots of clear marks before re-inking, and the bright color options were a hit with students—without busting the $20 limit. The jumbo housing is bulky, though, and our experience shows the casing feels larger than expected for the imprint size. A few papers can smudge or show drying delays, so blot briefly or test on your usual worksheets.

Looking for a heartfelt token that won't bust your Secret Santa budget? Because I Had a Teacher is a gift-ready hardcover that, in our testing, felt tailor-made for expressing genuine appreciation without overspending. The message is warmly sentimental and the durable format makes it easy to wrap and display. Just note it's on the shorter side—more keepsake than full picture book—so choose this for a teacher who appreciates touching sentiments over lengthy reads.

Cold-weather classrooms are brutal on skin, and O'Keeffe's Working Hands has been, in our testing, a fast-acting, under-$10 fix for dry, cracked hands. The unscented, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, and our experience shows a pea-size amount is usually plenty—helpful for a busy teacher's bag. Apply sparingly to avoid a sticky feel, and note the tube or jar can be hard to squeeze as it empties. As with any treatment, some users report irritation or slower results during severe flares.

If your teacher loves bold flavors, Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice hits with a strong, cozy cinnamon that, during our review, made the whole room smell festive. At around $15, we found it naturally sweet, so most cups needed no added sugar—great for quick breaks between classes. That intensity can read as slightly bitter for some palates, and occasional reports of loose or unsealed sachets mean inspecting the tin is smart. It does contain caffeine, so save it for daytime sips.

On a tight budget, this 11 x 14 dry-erase board delivers handy jot-down space for lesson notes or reminders without crowding a desk. In our testing, it wrote and erased cleanly with minimal ghosting, and the compact size stored easily in a drawer. Be aware the 'magnetic' label can be misleading on some units, and the included velcro/adhesive mounting may give up over time. Construction is lighter-duty than pro boards, so we recommend wall-mounting carefully or using it as a portable desktop board.

Teachers who live by their calendar will appreciate the Blue Sky 2025 Weekly/Monthly Planner’s generous writing space and easy navigation via laminated tabs and a sturdy wirebound spine. During our review, we liked the built-in storage pocket for permission slips and notes, though some listings appear to omit that feature—check photos before buying. A few 2025 batches use thinner paper with lighter print and some shipments arrive creased, so inspect on delivery. At $13.85, it’s a practical, low-stress Secret Santa pick.

These Command Clear Decorating Clips are clutch for stringing holiday lights or hanging student art without bulky hardware. In our testing, the transparent design blended into painted walls and window frames, and removal was damage-free when we followed the instructions. That said, adhesive performance can vary between batches, and there aren’t refill strips in the pack, which feels wasteful. If paint is already weak, our experience shows removal can pull it—so prep surfaces and press firmly for the best hold.

Lindt Lindor Truffles are a luxe-feeling treat that fits a $5 Secret Santa budget, with silky centers that melt as you bite. During our tasting, the elegant packaging made it feel gift-ready without extra wrapping—great for leaving in a mailbox or on a desk. Note the temperature sensitivity; warm rooms can turn truffles soft or misshapen, and some find the filling quite sweet. The smaller 5.1 oz bags don’t go far, so consider pairing with tea or a note of appreciation.

Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares are a universally loved treat, and at around $5 they’re an easy Secret Santa crowd-pleaser. In our tasting, the smooth milk chocolate and gooey caramel center felt decadent, and the individually wrapped pieces make sharing in the teacher’s lounge simple. Do keep them away from heat—some bags arrive with fused or cracked squares, which can get messy. The smaller bags don’t hold tons, so consider pairing with coffee or a cute mug to round out the gift.