10 Perfect Teacher’s Gift Ideas
For most families we know, school ends either this week or next so the question on every Mom’s mind is “What do we get for the kids’ teachers?” Every year I try to be creative and come up with something unique but most years I end up giving them what they say they really need. I am fortunate enough to have 6 teachers living in my neighborhood so I asked them what they like to get at the end of the year from their students. Here were the top answers, hands down.
1. Book Gift Cards – many teachers have to buy their own books for the classroom so gift cards help to cover that expense for them.
2. Coffee Gift Cards – We’re in a room with 28 loud children every day, need we say more?
3. Target Gift Cards – Hey, many teachers are Moms, too. (This applies for movie ticket certificates, restaurant certificates, and anything that you would appreciate as a gift.)
4. Anything Homemade by the student, especially if they had a nice bond throughout the school year. Notes, photos collages, or a written story were appreciated.
Want some more ideas? Here are some additional gift ideas I’ve come up with and found on various Mom sites.
5. The Mother Huddle blog had some ideas that were nice and most importantly easy to do. I really liked the Joyful Hands soap idea.
6. The Skip to My Lou blog had some great simple ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week that would also work as nice year end gifts. I like the Gift Certificate for a Massage idea.
7. If you have an artist at home, frame one of their masterpieces. My daughter’s teacher is retiring at the end of year so she is going to draw a picture of the teacher’s classroom so she’ll remember it.
8. How about a plant? They last longer than flowers and can be used to lighten up the classroom next year.
9. A box of pretty Thank You Notes. The teachers may want to send a thank you to all of the students for their year end gifts so why not make it easier for them to do so.
10. A movie night package. Grab a recently released DVD, popcorn and some candy so your teacher can have a fun night at home with their family.
Care to add to the list? We’d love to hear more ideas.
For More Teacher’s Gift Ideas:
Unique End-of-Year Teachers Gift Ideas
Easy and Inexpensive DIY Teacher’s Gift Ideas
Thoughtful Gifts Teachers, Neighbors, and Helpers Will Love
Homemade End-of-Year Teachers Gift Ideas
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We always get the teacher a canvas bag (like Lands’ End or LL Bean), with her last name mongrammed on it. Then we fill it with school supplies for the next year and some chocolate. Something for the teacher, and something for the classroom.
Gina S
6/1/10
That is a FANTASTIC idea! Thank you for sharing.
Administrator
6/1/10
Sorry.
I have been teaching for 13 years. I could not handle 26 homemade gifts for each year for the past 13 years. Please do not give us anything food-related that your child made. Not all teachers read nor do we all drink coffee. My opinion is to get them cash, gas card, Target gift card, or nothing at all.
http://fillmeuplord.blogspot.com/2008/11/teacher-giftshorror.html
http://wheelsonthebus.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/step-away/
Eating as a Path to Yoga
5/25/11
http://fillmeuplord.blogspot.com/2008/11/teacher-giftshorror.html
Please only give us gift cards to Target or gas stations. Not all teachers read or drink coffee.
In addition, homemade gifts are not appreciated. 26 homemade gifts each year for 35 years? No way.
Teacher
5/25/11
I once bought a home from a retired teacher. It was “By Owner” so she was there when I came to her open house. I admired all her “Teacher” gifts, mugs, frames, etc. She said it was great the first few years, but how many mugs, etc., can one person use? she really wished that people had just given cash. She said all those $5-8 gifts over 35 years?….it would be a tidy nest egg by now. So I always tell the story to my kids teachers and give gift cards and sometimes a plant or bag. This year it was a visa gift card, so she could spend it anywhere she wanted.
Kim
5/27/11
Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. Great advice.
Sue
Sue Kirchner
5/31/11
To the teacher who wrote “not all teachers read”. Can you be serious? What a terrifying thought.
Genevieve
6/15/11
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