What is the Perfect Gift for Teachers?
Teachers are an important part of every child’s life, and whether they’re teaching kindergarten or high school classes, teachers have the chance to make a big impact on young minds. Some of our favorite teachers love the subjects they teach, and their excitement for the subject is enough to get lots of kids engaged and learning. Being a good teacher takes time and practice, but eventually every teacher finds their groove and really starts to enjoy all the interactions with students over the years.
Almost everyone can think of a favorite teacher when they were growing up, a teacher that helped them learn something difficult, or one that gave them the support they needed in order to succeed. If there are teachers in your life that you want to commend for all the hard work they do all year, consider getting a gift for them. It’s easy for folks to forget that teachers work throughout the school year to instruct their classes, keep the learning environment safe, and ensure that kids have access to supplies that can enhance their knowledge.
If you want to treat a teacher to a thoughtful gift, you’ve come to the right place, because we’re covering:
What makes a perfect gift for teachers
The most useful gifts for teachers you can get
Gifts for teachers that they can use to unwind
What makes a perfect gift for teachers?
Think about what the teacher might like to receive
Before running out and picking up just anything out for your teacher, consider how well you and your child know them, as well as any interests or hobbies you’re aware of. Image courtesy Teaching Channel.
Before you go out and start buying gifts that you think the teacher might like, it’s a better idea to sit down and think about your options first. Not all teachers want the same things, and the gift you ultimately decide to get might depend on how well you know the teacher personally. Consider a few things before shopping for the perfect gift for a teacher:
How well do you know the teacher?
Think about how often you’ve interacted with your child’s teacher, do you know some of their interests or hobbies? Because thoughtful gifts like these are much appreciated. How comfortable are you getting them something that’s personalized or relates to their interests? If you know the teacher a little, these kinds of gifts are surefire ways to let them know you appreciate all they do.
Do they have an Amazon list you can refer to?
Lots of teachers have Amazon wishlists that include the items they’d like to have in their classrooms. Budgets at schools are very tight these days, and many teachers are forced to pay out of their own pockets for things they want to use with the kids in the classroom. See if your child’s teacher has a wishlist, and maybe you can get some of the items they’re hoping to receive!
How closely did the teacher work with your child?
Some teachers are more familiar with some of their students. This could be because they need a little extra help in the classroom, or they’re a part of a club that the teacher runs. The amount you spend on a gift and what that gift is can depend on how closely the child works with the teacher, and how much support they’ve offered them over the course of the year.
Our favorite gifts for teachers
If you’re looking for gifts for teachers, consider these!
You can get the perfect gift for teachers that are either useful in their classrooms, or something they can enjoy on their own time! Image courtesy of EdNC.org.
Now that you’ve narrowed down what the teacher may be interested in, or whether they have a list of items they’re hoping to get for the classroom, you can start shopping around for gifts!
Practical gifts for teachers
1. Gift cards for Amazon/Visa
One of the most requested gifts from teachers all over are gift cards to stores like Amazon, Walmart, or Target. These big-box stores tend to have all kinds of items that every classroom needs, such as paper, pens, pencils, decor, and storage bins. Teachers can also use these gift cards in person, or they can shop online and have everything delivered to them. These gift cards are especially helpful for teachers who may not have all the supplies they need for their classrooms. While we wish this wasn’t the case, unfortunately a lot of school districts don’t have the appropriate funds to ensure that all teachers have supplies for their students. Instead of forcing teachers to pay out of their own pocket, you can make it that much easier for them to pick up necessary items.
Visa gift cards are also beloved by teachers because they can spend them anywhere, and on almost anything. So if you want to ensure that your gift will go a long way and truly get put to good use, consider sending a teacher you know a card with a Visa, Amazon, or Target gift card in it.
2. Classroom supplies
Teachers always need some kind of supply, so make sure you see what’s on their list! Image courtesy of S&S Worldwide.
If you are aware that your child’s teacher is in need of specific supplies, then consider picking those up for them. This can typically be found in Amazon lists, but the teacher may also have a list sent out to parents with items that they would like for the classroom. This could be as small as storage containers that help organize supplies, or something like more notebooks, decor, or supplies to fill up the containers. If the teacher in your life doesn’t have a list of supplies that’s readily available, why not just ask them? Chances are they’d love to have you help contribute to the classroom, and would be much appreciative at anything you’d want to purchase.
We don’t recommend just buying any old supplies for a teacher’s classroom though, as their classroom is a place that they want to specifically curate for their students.
3. Mug warmer
Teachers have to be at school before all the kids arrive, which means they have some pretty early mornings. While they’ll eventually get used to this type of schedule, it can’t hurt for them to enjoy some coffee or tea with a little caffeine to help them get going in the morning. Once they arrive at school, they may have a very busy day ahead of them and they may not get to drink all their coffee/tea before it goes cold. So why not help them have access to a warm drink all day with a mug warmer? These handy appliances are the perfect gift for teachers who always pour themselves a cup, and then never get to enjoy it before it goes cold. All they need to do is find an outlet where it can be plugged in, and place their mug on top. The surface temperature will stay around 275 degrees, which is the ideal temperature for warm beverages.
We want to suggest not pairing this gift with a mug, as mugs are some of the most common gifts given to teachers—even though they don’t need anymore! Most teachers have a few kids who give them mugs every year, so the amount of mugs they already own is probably pretty high. Instead, let them use their mug of choice with this useful mug warmer.
Mug warmers are great desk accessories for teachers who get busy and don’t get to enjoy their warm beverage. Image courtesy of Menards.
Gifts for teachers that they can enjoy
While those practical gifts are always a welcome sight when teachers receive gifts, you can also take another route when it comes to gift giving. If you know the teacher a little, or your student interacts with them often, you may feel more comfortable giving them something they can use on their days off or that will bring a smile to their face.
4. Handwritten notes
When teachers are asked about what gifts they really enjoy, a lot of them state that a handwritten note from a student is one of the sweetest gifts they can receive. These kinds of gifts are very personal, and you don’t have to include too much to really make it a sentimental gift the teacher will appreciate. Have the child write out the card if possible, and include how their teacher helped them this past school year, thanking them for all the effort. You can include a picture of the student or a gift card as well with this handwritten thank you for a job well done.
This is the type of gift that a teacher will hold on to for years to come. If they get enough of them, they might even keep them together and read the notes of thanks and encouragement when they’re having a tough time or a bad day. Little notes of thanks that state how they’re making a difference in children’s lives can help them turn their day around, and remember why they got into teaching!
5. Gift cards to cafes/restaurants
In addition to practical gift cards to Amazon and Target we discussed earlier, you could also choose to get a teacher a gift card to a restaurant or a cafe if you know they enjoy coffee. Lots of teachers enjoy Starbuck’s in the morning or as an afternoon pick me up, so that might be a great gift card to get. You could also give the gift of a lunch or dinner on you with a gift card to a local restaurant. Additionally, consider getting them a gift card to a meal delivery service like UberEats or DoorDash, so if they happen to forget their lunch, or just don’t feel like cooking dinner when they’re done for the day, they can have a hot, tasty meal delivered.
6. Scented candles
There are all kinds of calming scented candles available that are sure to please any teacher. Image courtesy of Prosperity Candle.
Teaching can be stressful, which is why a gift that can help them relax and unwind when they get home could be a great gift. Teachers are sure to appreciate the thought behind a scented candle in a relaxing scent that they can light while they’re at home. Aromas like lavender, rose, and cinnamon are all great smelling scents that can really help their space feel welcoming and relaxing when they’re done teaching for the day.
7. Live plant
Plants bring a pop of color to any classroom, and there are many that don’t require too much work. Having a few plants in the classroom is a great way to ensure the air is filtered and kept clean, not to mention they go with all kinds of decor! A small plant is also a thoughtful gift for a teacher who wants to bring home with them to decorate their own space. Plants like succulents, cacti, pothos, snake plants, and peace lilies require minimal effort and always look fantastic.
Gifts to avoid
And finally, we’d like to include a few gifts for teachers that you should try and avoid:
Homemade food items. You never know if someone has allergies or simply does not like a certain type of food.
Lotions. Some people are very sensitive to lotions that they put on their skin, so best to avoid this.
Mugs. Teachers don’t need (or want!) anymore mugs, they have enough already!
Trinkets. While the thought is appreciated, teachers don’t want to add more clutter to their homes or have an item that just takes up space in their junk drawer.
Which gift will you give to the teacher in your life?
Teachers are an important part of everyone’s life, after all, they teach us all about a variety of subjects as we go through school. We should all take the time to thank the teachers in our life by recognizing how hard they work to help shape young minds. Consider picking up any of these perfect gifts for teachers and let them know how much you appreciate them!
