Back to School Gift Ideas for College Students & Teachers

Can you believe it’s already time to talk about back to school? I swear summer just started, but here we are… stores have their displays out, the college kids are packing their cars, and teachers are stocking up on supplies for a brand new year. Some kids have even started school already, and I'm behind! 

This is one of my favorite times to create custom signs because they make such thoughtful, personal gifts- whether it’s for a student heading off to a new adventure or a teacher getting ready to welcome their class!

For the College Student

If you’ve got a student heading off to school (or maybe one moving into their very first apartment), a little piece of "home" can make all the difference.

Here are a few ideas they’ll love:

• Custom state signs for their home state, college state, or favorite vacation spot.
• Custom word signs with their school name, team name, or even a favorite quote.
• Beach-inspired pieces like sea turtles, sand dollars, and palm trees to bring calm to study spaces.
• Location or hometown signs to keep them connected to where they came from.
• Nautical touches for a dorm that feels fresh, coastal, and unique.

For the Teacher

Teachers pour so much heart into what they do. Why not give them something special for their classroom?

A few gift ideas that always bring smiles:

• Custom word signs with their name or a meaningful phrase.
• School or team name signs to show off their pride.
• Inspirational quote signs for daily encouragement.
• Coastal or nautical decor for a calming classroom vibe.

Why I Love Making These

Every single one of these gifts is made by hand, right here on Amelia Island. I cut, sand, paint, stencil, and finish each piece myself, and I love thinking about where they’ll end up. A dorm room hundreds of miles away. A classroom full of eager little faces. A first apartment in a new city.

It’s the best feeling knowing something I made with my own hands is part of someone’s story.

If you’re looking for a back-to-school gift that’s personal, meaningful, and completely one-of-a-kind, take a peek at my custom sign collection or browse my beach and nautical pieces. I’d love to make something just for you or for you to gift!

Here’s to fresh starts, full notebooks, and the perfect sign to make the year a little brighter.