Gifting Your Guru 10 Best Gift Ideas for Your Professor

Gifting Your Guru: 10 Best Gift Ideas for Your Professor

Some professors often leave big impacts on our lives, and it’s only right that we give them some token of appreciation. However, it can be hard to find a gift for them, as we aren’t usually close enough to know about their interests and hobbies.

That said, there are still a lot of things we can give them that can make their life easier and more efficient.

In this article, we’ve curated a list of timeless, formal, and appropriate gifts that can leave a long-lasting impression on your professors.

Coffee Gift Set

Coffee Gift Set

One thing we noticed in our four years in college is that professors always bring coffee! Whether they’re entering the class, going out of their car, or walking in the hallway, they always have a cup of coffee in their hands.

Some say it’s to relieve the stress their students give, some say it’s because of the lack of sleep, while some say it’s just a habit they acquired from graduate school. Whatever the reason, the important thing to know is that coffee is an excellent gift for them!

A good coffee set can be a thoughtful and practical gift that can provide them relief from their busy academic days. It can also save them so much money and time, as they won’t need to go on their daily coffee shop trips just to get their daily dose of caffeine.

While a lot of professors really do love coffee, some may not be big fans. In that case, a tea set will be a great alternative.

Cookies

Cookies

Who doesn’t want some freshly baked cookies? They are classic treats that many people, including professors, find comforting and delicious.

Taking some time to personally bake your professors cookies shows how thankful you are for their help and will surely be appreciated by them. In fact, even those who don’t usually like cookies will still be touched if they find out you personally made the cookies.

However, if you don’t have the talent for baking, there’s no shame in buying some good-tasting cookies from your favorite pastry shop. At the end of the day, what matters is your intention and the fact that you thought of giving them a gift.

Just make sure that your professor isn’t suffering from some health issues that stop them from eating cookies to avoid misunderstandings and wasted gifts.

Personalized Coasters

Personalized Coasters

As we’ve said, professors love drinks, whether it’s coffee, tea, or juice. To complement their love for these drinks, getting them some personalized coasters is always a great and thoughtful idea.

They usually spend hours at their desk, which can lead to several coffee mugs and water glasses on their table. Your coaster gift can serve as a protective surface for their tables, preventing damage caused by spills.

They can also use these for a long time, as they’re designed to withstand repeated use and spills. They’ll be reminded of you and the grateful heart you showed them even after you graduated.

Personalizing the coasters adds a thoughtful touch to the gift, showing them that you took the time to think of a way to make it more unique. You can add their favorite quotes, their name, or anything you think will make the gift more special.

Gift Card

Gift Card

When you can’t choose what gift will make your professor feel special, a gift card will be your savior. They let your professor choose something that they truly want, whether it’s books, office supplies, electronics, or experiences.

Professors usually receive a lot of gifts during the graduation period, so you might end up giving them an item similar to other students. A gift card helps prevent duplicate gifts, as they can choose whatever they want. 

This can also be an excellent choice if your friend group or class is planning on giving a group gift. You can pool your money together and buy a gift card with a much higher balance, providing your professor with a broader range of choices.

If you can find out which store your professor often buys their stuff, buy a gift card from them to make the gift more useful on the professor’s part.

Aromatherapy Oils

Aromatherapy Oils

Professors’ jobs are demanding and high-pressure, as they juggle teaching, research, administrative tasks, and more. They often suffer from stress, so it’s a thoughtful idea to give them something that can help them relax and reduce stress.

Aromatherapy oils, like lavender, clary sage, and lemon, have calming properties and help relieve stress. Some also help enhance concentration and focus, which can be helpful during research sessions.

They can make the space feel more soothing and uplift the professor’s overall mood, which is perfect when they stay in the office for a long time. They’re also versatile items that they can use during baths, massage, or even just as natural air fresheners.

Laptop Tote

Laptop Tote

Laptops are professors’ best friends. Most of their workload, from checking papers and preparing lessons to doing research work, requires them to use a laptop, so you often find them carrying one.

That’s why a good-quality laptop tote will be of big help to them. It can provide them with an efficient and convenient way to carry not just their laptop but also their notebooks, textbooks, and documents.

A laptop tote also makes their overall appearance more professional and polished. It conveys a sense of organization and preparedness, creating a positive impression when they attend meetings, conferences, or academic events.

Choose a tote with an ergonomic design and lots of pockets to make sure they’re comfortable while using the bag, and it’s easy for them to carry a lot of things at once. Laptop totes with both padded handles and adjustable straps are also preferred.

Traveler’s Notebook

Traveler’s Notebook

Professors often need to attend conferences, workshops, or meetings outside their regular workspace, and in most cases, they’ll need to write down important information. A traveler’s notebook can help them keep these important notes efficiently.

It also provides a practical and efficient way for them to keep all their notes, schedules, and to-do lists in one place. They won’t need to use multiple papers or pull out their laptops every time they need to check something.

They’re much more professional and aesthetically pleasing than regular notebooks, so they’re perfect for professors. Most are made with leather and fabric, making them durable while maintaining a timeless appearance.

Necktie

Necktie

Neckties are symbols of respect and power, so they’re often worn to maintain a professional look. That’s why they’re always a part of our professor’s attire during lectures, conferences, and meetings.

Neckties can be thoughtful gifts for your professors who always have to look formal. They’re also practical gifts that they can use regularly for years.

Moreover, neckties can also be used for casual attire. Professors can mix and match ties with different colors, patterns, and textures to create various looks that suit different occasions and personal styles.

While they’re mostly worn by men, they’ve also been gaining popularity among women, so if you have a female professor who loves wearing suits, they will also appreciate a necktie.

Desk Organizer

Desk Organizer

During finals, our desks turn into huge dumpsters because of all the paperwork, books, and materials that we have to study. For professors, that’s an everyday look because they never run out of documents and materials to check.

A desk organizer provides a designated space for different items, making it easier for professors to find what they need quickly. It also helps reduce clutter and promotes a more efficient and productive work environment.

Additionally, they allow professors to optimize their space by organizing items neatly and providing stacking options. Check how big their table is when you visit their office to ensure that the organizer you’ll buy will fit well in it.

There are different styles available, from compact to larger, multi-tiered organizers, so be sure to find one that suits their needs and the overall aesthetic of their office.

Fountain Pen

Fountain Pen

Fountain pens aren’t really used for regular writing, but that doesn’t mean professors don’t want them. They add a touch of class to their writing and are stylish, timeless, and elegant collector’s items.

They’re the perfect pen to use when signing important documents or writing important letters. Its liquid ink also flows smoothly to the paper, making writing more satisfying.

Another reason they can be great gifts for your professor is they can be personalized. You can engrave your professor’s name, making it a thoughtful and one-of-a-kind gift.

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