Finding a Secret Santa gift for an art teacher is easier when you focus on how they teach and make art: useful paper goods, tools, storage, and creative projects can all fit the occasion.
These 18 ideas range from modest drawing supplies to larger studio equipment. Check the recipient’s workspace, preferred media, and local gift budget before choosing.
18 Christmas Gifts for Art Teachers
1. Misolant Adjustable Drafting Chair with Footrest
A Studio Seat for Long Projects
Misolant Adjustable Drafting Chair with Footrest
- Adjustable lumbar support moves up or down to suit the sitter.
- The footrest adjusts, and the flip armrests fold up to save space.
- Designed for drafting and office use at taller work surfaces.
Best For: An art teacher who works at a standing desk, easel, or studio counter.
2. Pzloz Adjustable LED Desk Lamp with Clamp
Flexible Light for Detailed Work
Pzloz Adjustable LED Desk Lamp with Clamp
- Offers five color temperatures and five brightness levels.
- Adjustable arms and a rotating head direct light around a workspace.
- The included remote changes modes and brightness.
Best For: A teacher who draws, grades, sews, or prepares projects at a desk.
3. Bobblebro Linocut and Stamp Making Kit
A Printmaking Project in a Box
Bobblebro Linocut and Stamp Making Kit
- Includes four colors of water-soluble block printing ink and linoleum blocks in two sizes.
- The carving tools have six interchangeable heads; a sharpening stone and finger guards are included.
- Also includes a brayer, baren, steel ink plate, and transfer papers.
Best For: An art teacher interested in printmaking or introducing stamp carving.
4. STAEDTLER Pigment Liner Pens, 8 Assorted Sizes
Crisp Lines for Sketches and Lettering
STAEDTLER Pigment Liner Pens, 8 Assorted Sizes
- Eight black pens cover tip sizes from 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm.
- The pigment ink is described as waterproof and lightfast.
- Long metal-clad tips are designed for use with rulers and templates.
Best For: A teacher who illustrates, drafts, letters, or demonstrates line work.
5. Bamboo Book Press with Adjustable Opening
A Handy Press for Paper Projects
Bamboo Book Press with Adjustable Opening
- The usable pressing area measures 7.68 by 9.45 inches.
- Wing nuts adjust the opening for thin sheets, journals, or thicker book blocks.
- Includes a carry handle, setup tools, and illustrated assembly instructions.
Best For: A teacher who binds books, flattens paper, or presses flowers.
6. A4 USB-C LED Tracing Light Pad
Portable Help for Transferring Designs
A4 USB-C LED Tracing Light Pad
- The illuminated A4 area measures 313 by 217 mm and includes a ruler scale.
- Touch controls provide stepless dimming and three brightness levels.
- Includes a foldable stand and two metal clips; it must remain plugged in during use.
Best For: A teacher who sketches, traces designs, or prepares demonstrations.
7. 1st Place Products 24 x 36-Inch Art Portfolio Case
A Roomy Case for Artwork Transport
1st Place Products 24 x 36-Inch Art Portfolio Case
- The soft-sided case has a steel frame and expands to four inches wide.
- Handles and an adjustable shoulder strap provide different carrying options.
- Four pockets, interior straps, and a name card holder help organize contents.
Best For: A teacher who carries large prints, lesson samples, or student artwork.
8. VEVOR Tabletop Pottery Wheel with Tool Sets
A New Outlet for Clay Work
VEVOR Tabletop Pottery Wheel with Tool Sets
- The tabletop wheel has an 11-inch aluminum turntable and adjustable speed.
- A detachable basin and right-side storage box are built into the design.
- Includes stainless steel and wooden tool sets, plus an apron.
Best For: A teacher looking for a home clay project or pottery demonstration tool.
9. PROLEE Six-Tier Wooden Paper Organizer
Neat Shelves for Classroom Paper
PROLEE Six-Tier Wooden Paper Organizer
- Six tabletop tiers are designed to hold 12 x 18-inch and 9 x 12-inch sheets flat.
- The organizer is made of wood and measures 20 by 13.5 by 10.2 inches.
- Its open shelves keep paper accessible at a desk or art table.
Best For: A teacher who stores large sheets for classroom or studio projects.
10. Giantex 15-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart
Mobile Storage for Art Supplies
Giantex 15-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart
- The cart has five large drawers and ten medium drawers, all removable.
- Four casters roll the cart; two have brakes to hold it in place.
- A metal frame and polypropylene drawers provide storage for craft and office supplies.
Best For: A teacher who moves tools and materials between work areas.
11. Amazon Basics Foldable Photo Studio Box with LEDs
A Simple Setup for Photographing Art
Amazon Basics Foldable Photo Studio Box with LEDs
- Built-in LED lights provide daylight-balanced illumination for photos.
- The front has three doors for different image angles, plus a top opening.
- It folds into a portable case and includes a white backdrop and power supply.
Best For: A teacher who photographs projects for portfolios or classroom records.
12. Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set, 48 Colors
A Colorful Watercolor Palette
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set, 48 Colors
- The set contains 48 vivid, opaque watercolor colors in large pans.
- A protective sheet doubles as a mixing palette, and a color chart is included.
- The water-based pigments are described as non-toxic.
Best For: A teacher who paints with watercolors or demonstrates color mixing.
13. Brother ScanNCut SDX125E Cutting Machine
A Scanner and Cutter for Craft Prep
Brother ScanNCut SDX125E Cutting Machine
- The built-in scanner can convert drawings into cut files.
- It includes built-in designs, a touchscreen, and a USB port with wireless capability.
- The machine is specified for materials up to 3 mm thick and is intended for 120-volt use in the US.
Best For: A teacher who makes stencils, labels, stickers, or display elements.
14. Assorted Colored Cardstock, 120 Sheets
A Spectrum for Paper Crafts
Assorted Colored Cardstock, 120 Sheets
- Includes 120 letter-size sheets in 60 assorted colors, two sheets per color.
- The 65 lb, 189 gsm paper is described as smooth and solid core.
- Suitable uses listed include cards, signs, labels, scrapbooks, and classroom projects.
Best For: A teacher who uses colored paper for collage, cards, or displays.
15. VISWIN Adjustable 25-Inch Tabletop Easel
A Compact Easel for Painting or Display
VISWIN Adjustable 25-Inch Tabletop Easel
- The easel adjusts from 0 to 90 degrees and holds canvases up to 15 inches.
- Made from beechwood, it folds flat for storage and transport.
- Can also display finished artwork, signs, books, or tablets.
Best For: A teacher who paints small works or displays student projects.
16. Stainless Steel Wax and Clay Carvers, 10-Piece Set
Detailing Tools for Clay and Modeling
Stainless Steel Wax and Clay Carvers, 10-Piece Set
- The 10-piece set includes probes, scrapers, spatulas, and other carving shapes.
- Double-headed stainless steel tools offer different working tips.
- A zippered case stores the tools together.
Best For: A teacher who shapes, carves, or details clay and modeling materials.
17. Canson XL Mixed Media Pad, 18 x 24 Inches
Big Sheets for Mixed-Media Practice
Canson XL Mixed Media Pad, 18 x 24 Inches
- The pad contains 30 sheets measuring 18 by 24 inches.
- Its 160 gsm acid-free paper is described as textured and suitable for wet and dry media.
- Suggested media include watercolor, markers, pencils, charcoal, and gouache.
Best For: A teacher who wants large paper for demonstrations or student projects.
18. How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide
Fresh Prompts for the Art Room
How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide
- The book uses step-by-step illustrations built from basic shapes.
- Exercises address line, shape, space, and drawing everyday objects.
- Its 253 pages are intended for teachers, students, self-learners, and hobbyists.
Best For: An art teacher seeking drawing exercises to adapt for class.
How to Choose a Secret Santa Gift for an Art Teacher
Start with the recipient’s actual routines. An art teacher who spends planning periods sketching may appreciate fineliners, a mixed-media pad, or a tracing light pad. Someone who transports student work may get more use from a portfolio case. If you know they teach clay, printmaking, or watercolor, a tool or supply set tied to that medium feels personal without requiring a guess about their taste in décor.
When you do not know their preferred medium, consider practical items that support many kinds of work. A lamp, paper organizer, rolling cart, or drawing guide can help with preparation and classroom organization. Look at the scale of the gift too: a tabletop easel or pad is fairly contained, while a pottery wheel, tall chair, or cutting machine calls for more room and a clear fit with the recipient’s setup.
Set a Budget That Fits the Exchange
Secret Santa exchanges often come with a spending limit, so use that as your first filter. Smaller creative supplies such as fineliner pens, a drawing book, cardstock, or sculpting tools can make thoughtful gifts without requiring a large commitment. For a higher limit, consider a larger item only if you have a good reason to think the teacher wants it and can use it.
A gift does not need to be elaborate to feel considered. Pair a single useful item with a short note explaining why it reminded you of their classes or creative work. Avoid combining several products unless the exchange rules allow it; one well-chosen tool can be more useful than a bundle that takes up space.
Check Compatibility and Personalization
Art supplies are only helpful when they suit the recipient’s media and workspace. Paper size matters: the Canson pad is 18 by 24 inches, while the colored cardstock is letter size. The paper organizer is intended for 12 by 18-inch and 9 by 12-inch sheets. For a tracing pad, remember that it needs a plugged-in USB power source during use. The ScanNCut listing specifies 120-volt use in the US, making voltage and location important checks before gifting.
Personalization can come from matching a known interest rather than adding a name. If the teacher has mentioned printmaking, the linocut kit provides several components for carving and inking. For watercolor, the 48-color set includes a chart and mixing palette. A portfolio case suits someone who regularly carries finished work; a rolling cart makes sense if they move supplies around. When uncertain, choose a broadly useful paper or drawing item and keep the gift receipt if the exchange allows it.
Timing and Last-Minute Decisions
For a Christmas exchange, give yourself time to confirm the recipient’s medium, work area, and any exchange rules. Bulky equipment and furniture need more thought because they occupy space, and tools with power requirements may not fit every location. A compact book or set of pens can be easier to choose when time is short, while supplies such as paper are a sensible option if you know what sizes and surfaces they use.
If the exchange is close, make the decision from facts you already have: a medium they teach, a project they recently discussed, or a practical classroom need you have noticed. Keep the note warm and specific, and wrap the item so it is easy to carry. A useful Secret Santa gift for an art teacher can support both the classroom and their own creative practice long after Christmas.

















