Gifts for Teachers: It’s easier than you think!
Every year, as teacher appreciation day, the end of the school year or Christmas break rolls around around, I get a flood of messages asking about teacher gift ideas.
And if you’ve been around here for awhile, you know I think there are two correct answers.
The first one is – good news! – free!
Write a heartfelt note to the teacher about why you appreciate them and why you’re happy your child ended up in their class (or have your child write it!).
If you’d like extra credit, send a copy of that letter or note to the principal or administration.
So so many teachers have told me that they get rid of almost everything else, but they keep these notes for literal decades, pulling them out on hard days.
And if you’d like to spend money? The correct answer is gift cards.
Here’s why I think this – one of my close friends is married to an elementary school teacher and she told me that she doesn’t even let him bring all the mugs, candles, and knick·knacks in the house – they go straight in the donate bin because they don’t have room in the house for them all, year after year.
The great news is that gift cards aren’t just the most appreciated gift, it’s also the easiest, nice gift for a teacher!
Every year, I go to Target, pick out a stack of gift cards (if my girls are with me, I have them choose the design they want for their teacher because they’ll know if their teacher happens to love llamas or their favorite color is yellow), have them loaded up and boom. Teacher gifts are done.
We all know that teachers aren’t making heaps of money spending day in and day out educating your child, so a gift card that lets them go out to dinner, pick up a coffee, load up on school supplies or buy a new pair of shoes is going to be very appreciated.
And it doesn’t have to be a big gift card.
Every time I’ve mentioned gift cards for teachers on Instagram, I get dozens of messages from teachers saying things like, “A $5 gift card to Starbucks is WONDERFUL! I use them for a special drink every Friday all year long and feel so grateful.”
So don’t feel like you have to do $50 gift cards for it to be appreciated – even a few dollars of a gift card will be used!
And if you absolutely need to include a little gift, here are a few items that make great gifts for teachers:
10 GREAT GIFTS FOR TEACHERS
Steam Eye Masks
These have been a wildly popular teacher gift idea this year. They come in several calming scents and are perfect for relaxing after a long day or soothing tired eyes. After a year of hard work, our teachers deserve a little spa moment!
Leather Heart Bookmarks
These leather heart bookmarks make such a simple, thoughtful gift. And when it comes to teachers, many are avid readers themselves, so it’s a natural fit. They’re also easy to split among multiple teachers. If you happen to know their reading preferences, pairing one with a book takes it to the next level and creates a great teacher gift.
Body Restore Steamers
There is nothing more relaxing than a hot shower, but to make it better, throw in a shower steamer to add a little bit of aromatherapy. We could all use a spa day, especially a teacher after a long day! (they come individually wrapped so you can divide them up).
FIOVER Gel Pens
These pens are so good! They’re super affordable, smooth to write with, and truly some of my favorites. Teachers always need a pen to jot down a quick note – now they will be fully stocked!
Mini Cooler Bag
If asked, most kids will know their teacher’s favorite drink and snack. Fill this mini cooler with four cans of their favorite drink alongside their favorite treat and you have yourself a great gift. I love that this mini cooler can be used over and over again throughout the summer!
Hard Sided Zipper Case
I bought a few of these early last summer and I cannot believe how useful they’ve been – I have been full on obsessed with them! They’re so convenient for holding sunscreen, snacks, card games, and, of course, school supplies. And I love that nothing inside gets squished. At under $4? Don’t mind if I get a couple and fill them with some goodies!
Geometry Towels
Everyone uses kitchen towels, but these are truly a cut above the rest. I love giving practical gifts that feel a little more special, and the Geometry towels absolutely fit the bill. They come in so many fun colors and patterns, making it easy to pick one that perfectly matches your teacher’s personality. Use my affiliate code JANSSEN15.
Mini Box Cutters
I will never stop recommending these as a gift! They’re one of the most practical—and surprisingly well-used—items I give and suggest. Add a little note that says, “You are a cut above the rest,” and before long they’ll be using it to cut butcher paper for bulletin boards or opening boxes of classroom supplies and books.
Portable Phone Charger
This is one of those items I truly can’t live without! And it’s the kind of gift that’s guaranteed to get used – it can be tossed in a purse, kept it in the car, added to a travel bag, or stashed in a bedside table for everyday convenience.
Magnetic Bookmarks
I couldn’t stop at just one book-themed gift idea! And if you haven’t tried a magnetic bookmark yet, you are missing out. This would be such a fun and practical gift for any teacher who loves to read.
