Make that holiday shopping a little easier this year with 20 holiday gift ideas for upper elementary students on the cheap!
Small gestures can go a long way in showing appreciation, whether that is for another coworker or for your students.
Sometimes, it just feels really nice to be able to get all your students a little something before the winter break, but with that teacher paycheck and having already spent a bunch of money getting your classroom set up and resources ready to go, it often feels like there isn’t anything left for getting students a little gift around the holidays.
Well, in this post, we’re going over 20 inexpensive holiday gift ideas for upper elementary students.
(This post features affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I get commissions for purchases made through the links in this post.)
20 Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas for Upper Elementary Students
#1 | Personalized note or card with a handwritten message expressing appreciation and well wishes
Get a nice stationary set and write each student a personalized handwritten note. I know if my teacher wrote me something like that, I would keep it for years and years. I once got a book with a handwritten note in it from my teacher, and I could never bring myself to get rid of that book.
These notes I found on Amazon are adorable!
#2 | Bookmarks
Bookmarks are always an easy and cheap idea. Print and laminate them, and BAM, you have a nice gift…add a ribbon to make it fancy. If you want to make this super easy, grab these FREE Emoji bookmarks!
#3 | Pencils and erasers
Kids always love a good decorative or holiday-themed pencil and/or eraser. Click here to see a set I like!
#4 | Class supplies
Although it’s fun to get something for each kid, another option is to buy something that benefits the entire class, such as markers, crayons, books, recess toys, games, etc.
#5 | Coupon books
Print out some coupons and give them to students. Read this post for even more ideas.
#6 | Stickers
You can grab huge packs of stickers on Amazon for fairly cheap (be sure to go through them first, as sometimes there are some inappropriate ones). Then, divide them up between students and put them in a little envelope. Grab these and be stocked up for a few years, or if you have multiple classes, these would be great for that.
#7 | Personalized ornaments
Make an ornament for each student relatively cheaply, depending on material choices. Even an ornament made of beads or clay can be created at a minimal expense and just a little bit of time.
#8 | Fuzzy socks or fun holiday socks
Cozy, fun holiday socks like these, or you can usually get them in the Dollar Spot at Target for a buck, or Old Navy sometimes has a deal on them.
#9 | Scholastic $1 books
Check out the Scholastic website for deals and see what you can find! You could even personalize them with a handwritten note in the front cover.
#10 | Craft kits
Fun craft kits from Oriental Trading or a craft store can make a great gift for students. They often come in multi-packs, so you don’t have to purchase them individually, and you can even put them together in class BEFORE break! If you need some options, try this kit or this kit.
#11 | Flair pens
Buy a huge pack (they’re usually cheap on Black Friday). Add a candy cane and wrap them with a ribbon.
#12 | Class Party
Plan a fun party as your gift to your students. Vote on themes, get an approved snack, and plan some games. You could also get or create a craft everyone can do and take home. Check out #18 for more on this craft idea.
#13 | Mini Play-Doh Kits
Grab a huge bag of mini Play-Dohs, some small cookie cutters, and popsicle sticks for carving and cutting. Then put one of each of them in a bag with a ribbon!
#14 | Candy Cane and a Homework Pass
This one is simple but effective!
#15 | Homemade Crayons
I really like this one as it is recycling something old to make something new. Take all those broken crayons from your classroom, grab some silicone molds, and make some new multi-colored crayons, or buy these and wrap them with a ribbon and a tag.
#16 | Hand Sanitizer + Holder
Grab these and then a big jug of sanitizer to fill them!
#17 | Mini Notebook and Pen
Grab one of each and then tie it with a ribbon. Here are some notebooks and pens to get you started.
#18 | Class Activity
Directed Drawing: Find a directed drawing video on YouTube that students would like. To get started, buy some small canvases like these, paints like these, some brushes like these, and some paper plates and water dishes. Then you’ll have everything you need to turn this class activity into art students can take home!
#19 | Personal Whiteboards + Dry Erase Marker
Go to a hardware store and buy a sheet of shower board. Most hardware stores will help you cut it into small-sized whiteboards … grab a marker for each one and then wrap them with a ribbon for your students.
#20 | Stock up for next year
After Christmas, when everything is on sale, buy some mini stockings and maybe pencils or stickers (wherever you see on clearance), and then don’t forget you have them the next year … like me.
It doesn’t take much to give a small gift to students, and sometimes, it isn’t even an item. Taking the time to acknowledge your students with a simple note, a smile, and a secret handshake can be a great gift to send them off for winter break.
However, if you want to get them a little something special, hopefully, this list inspires you with some holiday gift ideas for upper elementary students on the cheap!
