GOA's 2025 Holiday Gift Guide for the Educator in Your Life
As 2025 winds down, we’re taking a moment to honor the educators whose curiosity, compassion, and steady commitment continue to shape learners and learning communities around the world. Each year brings new challenges and new reasons to be grateful, and this season offers a perfect chance to express that appreciation.
Our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide is curated with educators in mind—those who pour energy into others and rarely pause to celebrate themselves. Whether you’re looking for something practical, joyful, restorative, or just plain fun, we hope this guide helps you find a meaningful way to say “thank you” to the educator in your life. Here’s to gifts that spark delight, offer a bit of well-deserved care, and acknowledge the remarkable impact educators make all year long.
Creativity & Artistic Inspiration
Emily Lex Studio Watercolor Workbooks - “Perfect for anyone who wants to learn to paint with watercolors, anyone who needs help when staring at a blank page, or anyone looking for a meditative creative outlet.” - Lynae Sowinski, Communications Manager
International Center for Photography Gift Card - “For art lovers, an ICP gift card is a great gift because it lets people choose the photography books, prints, or classes that actually inspire them. It’s perfect for anyone who loves seeing the world through a creative lens.” - Glenda Baker, Associate Director of Faculty Experience
Lego Happy Plants - “For anyone who loves Legos and fun decor, this set is spot on. It’s playful to assemble and instantly becomes a cute, display-worthy accent piece.” - Bonnie Lathram, Director of Engagement
Lamy Fountain Pens - “For educators who write by hand, a quality pen can make all the difference. Lamy fountain pens offer smooth, effortless writing and durable construction built for daily classroom use. A thoughtful gift that elevates the everyday task of grading papers, drafting feedback, or taking notes. Perfect for the teacher who values the tactile experience of pen on paper!” - Douglas Beam, Director of School Membership
Wellness & Mindfulness
Dram Botanical Sparkling Water Sampler - “Crafted in the Rocky Mountains with real botanicals, this trio of sparkling waters delivers crisp, restorative flavor – cardamom and black tea for focus, citrus blossoms for lift, and lavender with lemon balm for ease.” - Amanda Burch, Chief of Staff
21 oz HidrateSpark PRO 2 – Smart Bottle - Bluetooth Water Tracker - “Because lesson planning isn’t the only thing you should stay hydrated for, here’s a tiny tech reminder that you matter too (and so does your H20). For those days when the syllabus basically wrote itself … except you still forgot to drink water until 3 p.m.” - Amy Choi, Associate Director of Instruction
Click and Grow The Smart Garden 3 - “Bring a bit of green to a busy classroom with the Smart Garden 3, a self-watering, app-guided indoor garden that grows herbs, small fruits, or flowers year-round. It uses biodegradable plant pods preloaded with seeds and nutrients, and comes with three basil pods to get started. Automated light, water, and feeding make it low-maintenance, and there are 75 plus plant varieties for projects in science, wellness, or culinary learning.” - Shaundel Sanchez, Associate Director of Program Systems and Evaluation
Roterunner Purpose Planner - “This beautifully designed and perfect-sized planner not only helps me stay organized and productive but also inspires creativity and mindfulness. Its user-friendly layout encourages intentional goal-setting and prioritizing tasks, making it an ideal gift for that person who’s expressed a desire to enhance their organizational skills.” - Micah Whitley, Associate Director of Student Experience
REI Gift Card - “A perfect pick for educators who recharge outdoors. Whether they’re gearing up for a hike, trying something new, or just wanting quality essentials for weekend adventures, this gives them the freedom to choose exactly what inspires them most.” - John Sember, Associate Director of Marketing Operations
Tech That Makes Life Easier (and More Fun)
Shokz OpenFit 2 - “The OpenFit 2 earbuds deliver clear audio for music, podcasts, or audiobooks without completely blocking out your surroundings. I rely on mine during early morning gym sessions to catch up on audiobooks while staying aware of my environment. Their open-ear design lets you remain alert to what's happening around you. Ideal for morning runs, gym sessions, or even monitoring the classroom while enjoying a podcast during prep periods. A practical gift for teachers who multitask their wellness and professional learning.” - Douglas Beam, Director of School Membership
Leica SOFORT 2 Instant Camera - “Unlike older instant cameras that printed out only one image, this camera also functions as a digital camera that lets you store your images until you’re ready to print, and then you can print more than one.” - Michael Nachbar, Executive Director
Govee Smart Lightbulb - “Educators deserve moments of pure joy during the holiday season. Govee’s Smart Lightbulbs add color, energy, and even music-responsive lighting for an instant at-home celebration. They also make a fun gift for kids, keeping them happily occupied while you sneak away to unwind with a book.” - Lucas Ames, Chief Technology Officer
Still looking for more ideas? Check out our previous guides!
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GOA is a nonprofit learning organization that reimagines learning to empower students and educators worldwide. In partnership with our global network of 150 schools, we provide interactive, relationship-driven courses, expert resources, and innovative thinking that help to expand and elevate academic programs. Together, we help students and educators become open to the extraordinary.
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