Under $20: Amazon Prime Gift Guide for Teachers

Need a little holiday somethin' for a teammate, coworker or teacher friend, but not a big fan of braving the cold and crowds this time of year? Not to worry!

I've compiled some of my favorite teacher essentials from everyone's favorite online retailer, Amazon. Because why venture out into the cold when you can cross off your holiday list from the convenience of your phone instead?

At under $20 and with Prime eligibility (long live free 2-day shipping!), these budget-friendly items are sure to spread some office-supply cheer to your pals who need it most.

Friendly notice that this post contains affiliate links, which means a small percentage of any purchase made through said links will go towards supporting the blog and my Amazon shopping addiction. Not an Amazon Prime member? No problem -- you can still get free shipping on your Amazon purchases of $49 or more. Need your gifts faster? Sign up for a Free 30-Day Trial.

Now, onto the good stuff.

1. Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens, Medium Point, Limited Edition Tropical & Assorted Colors, 24 Pack

Nothing says happiness quite like Papermate Flair Pens -- one of the most universally adored items among teachers. Regardless of the grade level or subject area we teach, we all treat our Papermate Flair Pens like the nuggets of gold they are. Flair Pens (or other notable treasures such as Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens or Sharpie Pen Fine Point Pen) make the perfect gift because there is no such thing as having too many. A fresh pack of colored pens just makes the world a better place, and no teacher has ever complained about having too many beautifully colored pens.

Seriously. “I have too many flair pens,” said no teacher ever.

2. Post-it Notes, 1 3/8 in x 1 7/8 in, Marseille Collection, 12 Pads/Pack

Sticky notes are another treasure of which there can never be too many.

These mini Post-it Notes are both convenient and adorable -- perfect for writing down quick notes without taking up too much space on our desks!

I use these little guys multiple times a day (specifically the Marseille Collection, though I debated for an embarrassingly long period of time between Marseille and Cape Town) and I'm a big fan of their price and color variety. See all the neat options for nontraditional post-it colors below.

3. Anne Taintor Sticky To-Do Notes, Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again

Like gifts with a sense of humor? Check out these spunky to-do notes from Anne Taintor!

While not all designs are necessarily school appropriate, this one about volunteering in particular caught my attention. I'm sure a lot of teachers out there can relate to the struggle of over-committing themselves.

4. Deli Smiling Binder Clips, 19mm, Assorted Colors, 40 Clips per Tub (8487)

Since most teachers I know have a minor (sure, we'll call it minor) office supply addiction, why not feed that obsession with some snazzy binder clips?

I can personally vouch for the Officemate Gold Binder Clips. They come in a variety of sizes, which means I can add a touch of fancy to just about any task at hand. I've had the same bunch for almost 2 years now, and I'm not sure which is more impressive: the fact that the clips are still alive & kicking it or the fact that I somehow haven't lost all of them by now.

I can't keep track of a bobby pin to save my life (I know I'm not alone there!), but I somehow manage to keep track of all my precious binder clips. Weird.

5. But Coffee First Mug in Black Matte - 18 Oz

Teachers may accumulate a fair amount of coffee mugs over the years, but that doesn't mean we love each one any less. We believe finding the right mug for the right moment in time will align all of our stars in a masterpiece of arabica and productivity.

In other words, we like mugs that show our personal style while simultaneously looking good on our desks. Oh, the aromatic possibilities...

6. Edgar Allan Poe Coffee Mug - Poe's Most Famous Quotes and Writings - Comes in a Fun Gift Box - by The Unemployed Philosophers Guild

If you're shopping for an English teacher, these author-inspired mugs are sure to delight with their literary presence.

I've had this Poe mug on my Amazon Wish List for quite some time now; I don't need it, but I desperately want it -- and in my opinion, those types of items make the perfect gifts!

7. me & my BIG ideas Create 365 The Happy Planner "Don't Forget" Stickers, 6 Sheets

If your teacher pal is a "planner person" -- then check out these adorable little planner stickers. I bought this exact pack for my teaching partner last year, and I may or may not have slipped a pack in the cart for myself too.

For some reason, keeping track of important meetings and events just seems a little less tedious when you add stickers into the mix.

Remember the old Proverb: happy planners = happy teachers. I think that's how it goes.

8. Amazon.com $10 Gift Card in a Holiday Gift Tag (Classic White Card Design)

Of course, gift cards are always a good choice. The best part about Amazon gift cards, in particular, is their convenience for everyone involved. Easily send an eGift to an out-of-town friend, or hand deliver to your teammates pre-wrapped in a holiday gift tag, fancy box, or holiday themed tin (at no extra cost).

Recipients can then easily load the gift balance onto their accounts, which eliminates the need to carry bulky plastic and assures that your gift dollars will be utilized with ease. Can't really get much easier than that.

9. Starbucks Gift Cards, Multipack of 4 - $10

I thought giving gift cards was a breeze when the corner convenient stores started selling them, but until recently I hadn’t realized that Amazon sells gift cards to other retailers too! So now more than ever, it's super easy to grab a multipack of $10-$20 Starbucks cards and distribute among your teacher pals!

Recipients can also easily load their Starbucks gift balances onto their accounts, so once again there's no need to carry around extra cards or to worry about misplacing one. Convenience for the win!

I hope you and your teacher pals enjoy the recommended products! I've done my best to ensure all items listed are under $20 and Prime eligible, but please know that changes over time may affect the price or eligibility of certain items.

Remember, Prime members always enjoy free 2-day shipping on all Prime eligible items (procrastinators unite!) -- but non-prime members can still receive free standard shipping on their purchases of $49.

Not a Prime member but need your gifts ASAP? Sign up for a 30-Day Free Trial and welcome yourself to the best addiction ever.

Psst - if you’re looking for a more unique gift that you can’t find on Amazon, check out Wisdom Supply Co’s collection of literary inspired artwork. I have the Frankenstein print and it’s a lovely addition to my desk. Thanks, Zack!