7 Gift Ideas For teachers (at any time during the school year)

 Being a teacher is one of the most demanding jobs one can have. Teachers deserve special gifts during the holidays and at any other time during the school to show that they are appreciated. These men and women are dedicated to educating, enlightening, mentoring, and nurturing your child/children each day for 9 months (or year-round in some cases). forget about the typical gifts such as a coffee cup, candle, or anything resembling an apple. Instead, opt for any of the following great ideas for your child's teacher.

1. Gift Card  Some people feel gift cards are impersonal, but I disagree. You can't go wrong with a gift card because the teacher has the flexibility to use it for personal reasons (e.g massage, coffee shop) or they can use it to purchase supplies for their classroom.

2. School Supplies  There are many schools that do not have an abundance of resources. As a result, teachers at those schools often have to spend out of pocket to stock their classroom with essentials. They are more than grateful for any assistance with this. Consumables that are used on a daily basis are best (e.g lined/printer paper, pencils/colored pencils, crayons, markers, facial tissue, hand sanitizer, hand soap (for rooms with a sink), glue sticks, etc.)

​3. Books  Classrooms always need books. Help build your child's classroom library by gifting a bundle or multiple bundles of grade level, appropriate books. Try to find out what type of books are needed/wanted and ones that the kids will enjoy.

4. Personalized Stationary  Despite the convenience and speed of digital communication, teachers still encounter any situations in which a handwritten note is more appropriate. It doesn't have to be fancy. Simple and clean. Sticky Notes and note pads should suffice.

5. Offer To Help In The Classroom  Tangible gifts are great, but there is no gift more valuable than your time. Teachers that don't have an assistant or an intern often have a considerable amount of time consumed with grading, classroom organization, bulletin board displays, and copying (to name a few). Assisting in the classroom in any way can be a huge help in shortening the teacher's to do list.

​6. Handmade Gifts​  Handmade gifts are an excellent idea. They are truly special gifts, and teachers know there was some thought  behind it. There are businesses where customers can purchase various types of ceramics (bowls, plates, coffee cups, letters, etc.), then you can paint it (use of paint is free), they will fire it, and you take it home. A few of these stores are Color Me Mine (Los Angeles) http://www.colormemine.com/​, Pottery Hollow (Kirkwood, MO, Glen Carbon, IL & Fairview Heights, IL) www.potteryhollow.com 

7.  Sending A Thank You Note  Taking time to compose a handwritten (not an email) note indicates that you genuinely appreciate the work the teacher is doing in educating your child.


Do you have any gift ideas for teachers that are not one of the seven I listed?

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