“Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire.” –W.B. Yeats
Teacher Appreciation Week in 2021 is celebrated the first week of May, but you can express your gratitude any day of the year, especially since so many of our educators have gone above and beyond this year.
But what do you get the person who has made such a significant impact on your child’s life or your very own? Is a personal thank you note enough? Is a gift card too impersonal? Do they really need another coffee mug?
Selecting a teacher appreciation gift is almost like buying a gift for a co-worker or boss. You want to keep it professional and practical but you also want to add a thoughtful or personal touch. But don’t worry--you don’t have to stay up all night making them a home-made gift either.
We’ve rounded up unique teacher appreciation gifts that will surely brighten their day and make them feel valued. Plus, these gifts will not only feel special and comforting, but they won’t break the bank either!
Tips for finding a unique teacher appreciation gift
One way to find a unique and thoughtful gift for your teacher is to elevate the everyday items in their daily life. These are the things that your teacher uses all the time but would never think to upgrade. Some items include:
- Stationary
- Notebooks
- Pens
- Hand soaps
- Hand creams
- Coffee or tea
- Lunch boxes
Next, think about the teacher’s personality and taste.
- Do they have a silly sense of humor?
- An artistic and creative side?
- Are they into health and fitness?
- Do they love camping and the great outdoors?
If you don’t know the teacher too well, you can always opt for something that’s visually pleasing. You can never go wrong with pretty packaging!
1. Lovely hand soapWho doesn’t like fresh scents and beautiful packaging? This pretty hand soap would instantly transport someone to the south of France and make the simple act of handwashing feel like a spa day. Plus, any item that makes your home feel more like a hotel is a definite plus.
Teachers are constantly working with their hands--grading papers, working on the computer--and this rich and hydrating hand cream would offer a soothing respite to their busy day. These would pair perfectly with a gift of hand soap too, but they’re also luxurious enough to gift on their own.
Your teacher works hard for their students all day; give them a gift that reminds them to take care of themselves too. This self-care pad is a simple, yet thoughtful, gift that looks gorgeous on a desk and makes for a perfect end-of-the-workday ritual.
Teachers love a plan. Help them plan out their goals and dreams with this gorgeous planner that has been used by thousands of successful people around the world. Since it's undated, they can start it whenever they like and customize the proven goal-planning system to meet their own needs.
5. Planner tabs
Nothing could be more fun than these cheerful and stylish planner tabs! Take their desk, planner, or notebook game up a notch.
Coloring is a perfect way to infuse daily life with a dose of creativity and mindfulness. Help your teacher relax after a busy day with this lighthearted, inspiring gift. Each page has an intricate illustration woven around an inspiring phrase, and offers an opportunity to focus and unwind their mind. Pair it with a set of nice pens or markers to complete the package!
Help your teacher crush their week with this helpful weekly deskpad. They can use this one to write down to-do lists, keep track of habits, or manage their work flow, and the gold foil details make it an elegant addition to any workspace.
8. Nice tea or coffee
Teachers get up early to devote their days to educating and inspiring people, so they definitely need a coffee or tea break in their day. Why not give them a nice bag of coffee or soothing herbal tea in pretty packaging? This will definitely make their break feel that much more restorative.
You can also add this adorable package of sugar cubes in floral shapes to make your teacher feel like they’re sipping coffee in a European cafe. :)
10. Skillshare gift certificate
Maybe your teacher has always wanted to learn a new language or try their hand at photography. If you know your teacher well enough to know that they’re interested in learning outside their own classroom, give them a gift certificate to an online class and help them pursue their hobbies outside of school.
11. Debit gift card
If you’re not sure what your teacher would like, a prepaid gift card is a generous way to show your appreciation. With a prepaid debit card, they can choose exactly what they need (rather than you choosing the store for them). If you’d like to give it a personal touch, add a card with a sincere thank you note to the gift.
12. Aroma diffuser
After a long day of teaching, teachers deserve a chance to relax and take care of themselves. An aroma diffuser can turn any environment into a soothing one and instantly provide stress relief, whether they're relaxing at home or doing some quiet work at the end of the day.
13. Cute mouse pad
A mouse pad is something we use everyday so why not use one that’s decorative and pleasing to look at? A mouse pad with a Portuguese tile pattern would bring a smile to your teacher’s face every time they used it.
What better way to show your gratitude than with an elegant, keepsake-quality gratitude journal? Practicing gratitude is one of the only scientifically proven ways to increase happiness, so this journal is a gesture that goes above and beyond. Add a note expressing your gratitude for your teacher to really take this gift over the top!
15. Lunch box
Even grown-ups love a special lunch box. This insulated lunch bag can be transported to school, field trips, or any trips they take outside of school. There’s even a mesh pocket inside to keep utensils, chips, or an apple!
Stylish and fun, this notepad set is a lovely gift to give to the teacher who's got a playful or creative side. Each pad in this set of 4 has an elegantly illustrated animal at the top, printed in sleek gold foil. The animals represent growth, wisdom, playfulness, and trust - meaning your teacher can pick the animal that fits their mood, whenever they need to pass an important note or record a big idea.
