Have you been looking for the best gifts for professors but everything you find seems a bit corny and overdone? Professors work hard all year, grading papers, giving advice, and generally offering knowledge and inspiration.
By the end of the year, they definitely deserve a nice present for all their dedication and commitment. You don’t have to fall back on the classic gift of chocolates when there are lots more unique gifts suited to professors.
But it can be tricky to choose the perfect gift for a professor, so we’ve made it easy for you. Here you’ll find our carefully chosen selection of the top gifts for professors here at Gifts in Seconds!
Table of Contents
Here’s our list of the Best Gifts for Professors
Mathematical Wall Clock
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For clever professors, this unusual pop quiz clock makes a great gift. Whether they use it to quiz their students, or just to keep their own brain active throughout the day, it will look great in any professor’s classroom or study!
Why We Like It
- Looks very cool
- A quick brain exercise at any time of day
- Fun and quirky
Sarcastic PhD. Mug
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One thing professors need to fuel them throughout the day is a good cup of coffee, and this funny mug is just the thing to drink it from. Professors will love the joke, and they will always know which mug is theirs in the staff room.
Why We Like It
- The fun quote is bound to get your professor smiling every time they drink a cup of coffee.
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Looks great on a professor’s desk and is a great conversation starter
A Private Ecosphere with Live Shrimp
If you’re a bit of a teacher’s pet, this unusual gift will go down well with your professor! Gift them this Shrimp Bubble Ecosystem Kit that has everything needed to get them started, including several live shrimp. This is the next level up from a desk accessory – they will always have something to run their latest clever idea by!
Why We Like It
- Makes the perfect desk companion for a professor
- Will be a real conversation starter
- Everything is included in the kit – easy and low-maintenance
Classic Newton’s Cradle Desk Toy
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Looking for the best gift for a physics geek? This Newton’s Cradle Desk Toy will go down well! It is the ultimate fidget toy – set it in motion and watch it work as you ponder over your next big theory! Check it out on Amazon.
Why We Like It
- A constant reminder that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
- Great for stress relief and anxiety
- Durable – made from high-quality stainless steel
Cross 23KT Gold And Lacquer Pen
Professors constantly need to be jotting down notes, writing feedback, and grading assignments. That’s why this stylish Cross Century II gold-plated rollerball pen in black makes one of the best professors gifts around. It will be sure to take pride of place on your professor’s desk, and get you in their good books!
Why We Like It
- Give a gift that will come in handy every single day, rather than sitting unused
- A pleasure to write with, the gel ink flows smoothly for neat handwriting
- Comes in a nice gift box
TED Books Box Set
Sometimes, professors need a bit of inspiration. This TED books boxset will be sure to provide them with enough fresh ideas for a long time. With three fascinating books on topics from the future of architecture to why it’s important to be still from time to time, this is sure to be one of the top gifts for professors this year.
Why We Like It
- Glean inspiration and insights from a top designer, architect, and writer
- Three books in one with something to appeal to everyone
- All packaged in an attractive boxset case that will look great on any professor’s shelves
TED Books Box Set: The Complete List
Looking to push the boat out? This larger boxset of TED books contains 10 titles that cover everything from space travel to love, business, and more. This will keep any academic in reading material for a long time, making it one of the top gifts for professors.
Why We Like It
- Even more fascinating books to choose from
- Written by celebrated individuals in their field
- Explore new concepts and gain a greater understanding as you’re guided by the expert
Digital Voice Recorder
Professors will love this Digital Voice Recorder! Whether they use it for recording lectures or taking audio notes when inspiration hits, this little gadget will be sure to come in useful.
Why We Like It
- Lightweight and portable, it’s easy to carry everywhere
- Great sound quality
- A thoughtful, useful present for professors
The Conductors: Classical Music Box Set
They say that listening to classical music can help you with concentration and the thought process. This 40-CD boxset will provide hours of listening material and makes a great gift for any professor who’s into their music.
Why We Like It
- Includes work of famous conductors from the 1930s all the way up to the 2000s
- You get a bonus book included with interesting information about the music and recordings
- Beautifully packaged – one of the top gifts for professors
High-End Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
But not all professors thrive on background music. These Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones are one of the best gifts you could get for a professor who needs peace and quiet to get on with things. They’ll thank you for gifting them a heavenly chunk of silence to block out the distractions of the world!
Why We Like It
- Cool design
- Creates a soundproof experience and adjusts your volume to your environment
- Alexa-enabled, you can use voice controls to select music, ask for information, and more
- Charges quickly and can last up to 30 hours on a full charge!
Students’ Tears Travel Mug
This hilarious travel mug makes for one of the best presents a professor can receive. Useful and cleverly on point, your professor will always have a hot coffee on hand to sustain them through their day with this CafePress travel mug. It will be the envy of all their fellow professors!
Why We Like It
- Made of stainless steel, it’s food-grade, safe, and won’t leach flavors
- Insulated with double-walled construction, it will keep your drink hot for hours
- Will make your professor chuckle every time
Galaxy Crystal Paperweight
This stunning Ekatoo Galaxy Ball paperweight contains a whole galaxy, captured in miniature in crystal glass. It’s just the right size to sit on a professor’s desk and keep their papers in place and look eye-catching at the same time. For professors who like to ponder their place in the universe or gaze up at the stars, this beautiful paperweight will allow them to do that when they’re tied to their desk.
Why We Like It
- Stunning design – you won’t want to look away
- Not just pretty – it’s useful too for keeping track of all that paperwork
- Includes stand and comes in a gift box, making it one of the best professor gifts around.
Shakespearean Insults Print
Selecting a gift for an English Literature professor? They’ll love this poster that is adorned with all the creative insults coined by the great Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
Why We Like It
- You’ll never be short of inventive insults with this poster on your wall
- Perfect for Shakespeare fans who can’t get enough of the bard
- One of the best professors gifts to decorate their office
Vintage Leather Pencil Case
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Even in this digital age, professors still need to put pen to paper from time to time. Their tools of the trade will be stored safely in this classy leather zipped pouch. Never again will your professor have to scrabble around in pockets and desk drawers for a pen to note down that important thought or to record an appointment time in their diary.
Why We Like It
- Stylish, timeless, and classy
- Keeps all their pens together and easy to find
- Plenty of space for all the essentials
Natural Polished White Marble Bookends
Every professor we know has books everywhere: stacked on shelves, piled in piles on the floor, teetering on their desk. That’s why these simple but stylish marble bookends make great gifts for all academics.
Why We Like It
- Made from 100% marble
- Strong enough to support some hefty academic tomes
- Will look great in any study, office, or classroom for an understated classy look
Knock Knock Personal Library Kit
Bibliophiles tend to share the love of reading and a good book with friends, family, and colleagues. But it can be tricky to remember exactly where each book has ended up. Worry no longer with this clever personal library kit by Knock Knock, which definitely makes one of the top professors’ gifts around.
Why We Like It
- Keep track of all your books when you lend them out
- Includes a date stamp and pad, vintage library-style!
- Share the love of a good book with friends
The Book Seat – Book Holder and Travel Pillow
There’s only so long you can hold a book up before your arms begin to ache. This unique Book Seat has the solution to this problem. The clever design allows you to prop up your current read and sit back and relax. Thanks to the polystyrene beads, you can use it on any surface, even in bed.
Why We Like It
- For avid readers, this has to be one of the most ideal gifts – good for professors everywhere!
- There’s a handy storage pocket to hold your glasses, phone, or pen
- Thanks to the clear perspex page holder, you can read hands-free and not lose your place
“From The Library Of” Embosser
Looking for the best gifts for professors? This embosser is one of the top gifts around. If your professor has a personal library of books at home or at work, they can keep track of all their books easily with this personalized embosser. It’s quick and easy to add the ‘From the library of’ stamp to their books, and they will never have to worry about their books disappearing off mysteriously again.
Why We Like It
- Easy to use
- Personalize your books
- Allows you to keep track of all your precious books, so you don’t have to replace them again and again
Personalized Note Cards
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These professional, personalized notecards will make a brilliant present for your best professor. If you want to buy useful gifts for people, these notecards are just the thing. Handy and with a personal touch, you can’t go wrong with these. Your professor can save them for whenever he or she needs to write a note to someone with an added professional air.
Why We Like It
- You can personalize the initial and name on the notecards
- Notecards make a great gift top choice for professors who write lots of correspondence
Paddywax Library Collection Candle
Where better to be than the library? But even professors have to go home sometimes! These Paddywax Candles will recreate the bookish atmosphere. With a range of gorgeous scents to choose from and a quote by one of the literary greats on every candle, this is one of the greatest professor gifts you could buy.
Why We Like It
- With quotes from the literary masters, including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Louisa May Alcott
- Delightful scents
- Thoughtful gift top choice for professors who love all things literary
Celestial Journal
Professors spend lots of their time mulling over difficult questions or putting together theories and ideas. They need somewhere to jot down all their thoughts and preserve them, so this beautiful journal would make a great gift for your professor. Real attention to detail has been paid to this journal, from the gold foil detailing on the cover to the gilded page edges.
Why We Like It
- Beautiful design
- The elegant ribbon bookmark makes it easy to find the right page quickly
- Amazing detailing and high-quality paper makes this journal a delight to write in and one to treasure
Leather Attaché Briefcase
Every professor needs a stylish leather briefcase. If yours doesn’t have one, then this could be the perfect gift! This McKlein brown leather briefcase is excellent quality. Your professor can transport all their papers and essentials in style with this gift!
Why We Like It
- You can keep the contents secure with the 3-digit lock
- The compartment expands when you need to carry lots of important documents
- The organizer keeps your pens, business cards, phone and other items neat, tidy and easy to find
Whiskey Stones Gift Set by Royal Reserve
For professors who enjoy a tipple from time to time, this Whiskey Stones gift set by Royal Reserve could be exactly the right gift! You’ll be their favorite student when you give them this classy set.
Why We Like It
- Includes stylish slate coasters and beautiful crystal glasses
- The whiskey stones will keep their drink perfectly chilled
- A great gift to show your appreciation for a respected professor
Wooden Docking Station And Desk Organizer
We’re not saying that professors are scatter-brained, but we all know how hard it is to stay organized when you’ve got a thousand things to be thinking about. This gorgeous, high-quality wooden docking station and desk organizer could be the answer! Gift this to your professor, and they will always know where their keys, watch, phone, pen, or glasses are.
Why We Like It
- Makes staying organized a doddle!
- A great way to keep all your important things tidy and safe
- Looks great in any room
Wrap Up
So there you have some amazing ideas for the best gifts for professors. Professors can make a big impact on their students’ lives, and deserve a thank you, but choosing the right gift for a respected teacher can be a minefield. With our extensive list, you can easily pick out the right present for your professor! Don’t forget to share this article if you found it helpful. Let us know in the comments which item you think is the best gift for professors – we’d love to hear your opinion!
Be sure to check out our articles on gifts for 11 year old boys or gifts 13 year old girls for more amazing gift ideas.