Christmas gifts for the class can go two ways: the teacher gives the pupils a little something, or the children and their parents club together for a gift, usually for the teacher. You will find ideas for both here that cost little and leave no child out, plus a few things the class can give itself.

Small Christmas gifts for pupils from the teacher

Anyone giving something to a whole class usually pays out of their own pocket. So the best gifts cost little and still show every child that it is meant for them.

1. One sentence for every child

A small card with one sentence about what the child achieved this term or what you like about them. Children often keep cards like these, and they only cost you an evening.

2. A pencil with their name

Pencils with an engraved name are cheap, and every child uses theirs on the very first school day of the new year. You already have the list of names.

3. A book of vouchers for the new year

Vouchers that cost nothing: one less piece of homework, a day sitting next to their best friend, choosing the game for the movement break once. Check beforehand what your school allows.

4. A story hour with hot chocolate

On the last day before the holidays you read a story aloud, and the children bring cushions and mugs. A gift of time that the class will remember.

Think of every child: not every family celebrates Christmas, and some children cannot eat everything because of allergies. An end-of-year gift without sweets leaves nobody out.

A Christmas gift for the teacher from the class

There are rules and value limits for gifts to teachers, and in Germany they differ from one federal state to another. If in doubt, the head teacher knows whether and up to what value your teacher may accept something. This is not legal advice. Often, a shared gift from the whole class that is personal and costs little is the nicest one anyway.

5. A booklet from the class

Every child designs one page: a picture, a sentence, a wish for the teacher. The class parent reps collect the sheets and have them bound. It costs almost nothing and is very personal.

6. A star with every name on it

A wooden star or a bauble for the Christmas tree, signed by all the children. It goes back on the tree every year and is a reminder of this particular class.

7. A yearbook for the whole class

In a Flashbook, every child gets a double-page spread with two photos and their answers, and on top of that come a class photo, awards and pages for signatures and messages. The teacher can have her own double-page spread and a copy for herself. The book works both ways: every family can order one for their child, so it is also a gift from the class to itself. Find out more about the primary school friendship book, what Germans call a Freundebuch.

For children, the parents fill in the questionnaire, ideally together with their child. Photos and answers are only used for the book. Find out more under children's photos and data protection.

What the class can give itself

Sometimes the best Christmas gift is one that all the children receive together and that nobody has to buy.

8. Decorations for the classroom tree

Every child makes a decoration with their name on it and hangs it on the class tree. On the last day of term, every child takes one down and brings another child's decoration home.

9. The class photo as a card

A photo of the whole class, printed as a Christmas card for every family. Check beforehand that all the parents are happy with the photo.

How to organise the gift through the class parents' group chat

One of the class parent reps takes charge, collects the money and writes in the class parents' group chat what is planned. Nobody has to join in, but every child goes on the card. If you also want to include subject teachers or a learning support assistant, plan for them from the start.

For the book, you share a link in the class parents' group chat. Each family answers the questions on their phone in about 5 minutes and uploads two photos of their child. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you get an overview via WhatsApp showing who is still missing.

A book costs €24.90 including design, printing and delivery to Germany and Austria. If 3 or more classes from your school order together, it is €22.90, and from 5 classes €19.90. Each family pays via a payment link, or one person pays for everyone by invoice.

Christmas 2026: Order by 10 December 2026 and make sure all questionnaires are filled in by then. Then the books will arrive in time for Christmas. Printing starts as soon as all books are paid for. If the books are to be handed out at school, start earlier: this deadline is for Christmas, not for the last school day before the holidays.