Teachers give their time, energy, and hearts to making sure our kids are receiving a great education.
They deserve a gift that conveys our deep gratitude.
Finding the perfect teacher gift sounds like a tall order, but it’s important to remember that a teacher gift need not be expensive in order to be thoughtful. A gift that would brighten a teacher’s day or make their life easier would be well-received.
Here are some gifts that teachers would actually use and love to receive. These would make great holiday gifts or end-of-the-year gifts for teachers.
Teacher gifts to avoid
First, let’s take a look at the kind of teacher gifts to avoid giving. While any gift is a thoughtful one, we also want to make sure that we’re giving a gift that a teacher will actually want to use. We don’t want to accidentally give a gift that will end up in the back of their closet or an item that they already have tons of.
Jewelry or watches. A teacher friend of mine received a piece of jewelry from a student but they’ve yet to wear it because it isn’t their style at all. If you’re not familiar with the teacher’s style or taste, you should avoid giving them jewelry, watches, or other fashion accessories.
Mugs. Another teacher friend told me that they have a lifetime supply of mugs thanks to receiving so many of them as gifts over the years. So, unless it’s their first year on the job, you might want to avoid giving a mug as a teacher gift. :)
Homemade cookies and sweets. While the sentiment is nice, you should also avoid going the homemade route because you never know if the teacher has any dietary restrictions or allergies. If the teacher does have a sweet tooth, then err on the side of caution and buy your baked goods from a local store. This way, the food item will have a label listing all the ingredients.
Tips for selecting a thoughtful gift for teachers
If you’re trying to figure out whether or not something would make a good gift for teachers, ask yourself:
What would make their life easier? Think about a teacher’s everyday routine and typical school day. What are the things they always do? And what little gift could make their life easier? Or give them a much-needed pick-me-up?
Elevate their everyday items. Think about their everyday supplies and the little ways that you can enhance them. Maybe it’s upgrading their pens or notebooks. Or a pretty file folder to keep their paperwork organized.
Here are some great gift ideas for teachers.
Felt tip pens. Whether it’s grading tests or taking notes, teachers have a lot of paperwork to go through. They want pens with bold ink that doesn’t smudge. That’s why these Zebra felt tip pens would make the perfect gift for a teacher. It has a thick line that shows up nicely on the page and quick drying ink that makes it smudge proof.
A nice supply of dry erase markers. Teachers go through dry erase markers quickly and they often have to buy their own supplies. A thoughtful gift would be to give them a nicer version of what they already use, like these Pilot refillable dry erase markers.
Storage caddy. This would make a great storage caddy for pens, markers, glue sticks, and other school supplies. The teacher can carry it on-the-go as they move around the school or classroom. And the bright color adds an optimistic hue to their workspace.
Hand soap. Make the mundane routine of handwashing a lot more pleasant with this refreshing hand soap and lotion. This little moment to themselves will provide a nice respite to a teacher’s busy day.
A to-do list notepad. Teachers have so many tasks and activities to keep up with. An elegant notepad would not only make their life easier, but it would add a decorative touch to their desk.
A monthly calendar. With all the deadlines, exams, and teacher planning days throughout the school year, teachers need a monthly calendar to help them stay on track. This desk calendar would let them see all the dates at-a-glance and allow them to jot down important reminders.
A yearly planner. Teachers have several yearly goals to meet each year. Whether it’s the school district’s yearly goals or their own personal and professional goals, they’ll need a planner to help them set goals and track their progress.
Blue Bottle Instant Espresso. Teachers definitely need a morning cup of coffee to jumpstart their day, and this Blue Bottle Instant Espresso would make their morning routine so much more special. It’s the kind of small gift that feels like such a splurge.
A Target gift card. Honestly, you can never have too many Target gift cards. Teachers will definitely appreciate the convenience of being able to shop online or in person, and will love the luxury of having a gift card at their fingertips.
A bottle of wine. Teachers are human beings and they like to unwind at the end of a stressful day. You don’t have to break the bank to find a good bottle. Trader Joe’s has lots of nice, drinkable wines that are also budget-friendly.
Tasty non-alcoholic beverage or mixer. Not sure if the teacher drinks alcohol or not? Get them a non-alcoholic beverage or mixer with cute packaging. This Chinotto, a fizzy Italian drink that tastes like cream soda, or elderflower syrup, a refreshing mixer for mocktails and cocktails alike, would make a great gift.
A handwritten card with a personal message. At the end of the day, most teachers would be most touched by a handwritten thank you card from your child. If you’d like to make it even more special, include a sweet anecdote or specific detail of what it is they’re thankful for. Example: “Thank you for teaching me how to read and being so patient with me. Because of you, I love to read.”
For more advice on how to write a thank you card, read our guide here.
Written by JiJi Lee
