As a teacher, I should have a good idea about what my child’s teachers would like for teacher appreciation, end of the year, holiday gifts. And yet, this is probably the exact reason that it actually makes gifting to teachers so intimidating to me.
I conducted a highly scientific experiment (by talking to a handful of teachers I know at various grade levels), and here is what they said are the best end of the year gifts they have ever received.
- “My favorite gifts of the past included a positivity charm bracelet, a vase made out of pencils (so creative) and a Barnes and Noble gift card.”
- “A framed photo of the class in a decorated frame.”
- “I love getting practical items – a Starbucks or local coffee shop gift card says thanks in a useful way.”
- “One of my favorite students gave me a small handmade frame with her picture in it. I loved it.”
- “A plant or flowers for my desk and room.”
- “Summer time means books, ice cream, some sun… I have several students who have gifted gift cards to a local ice cream shop. My family loves that gift!”
- “I love to get senior portraits with notes of thanks, memories, take-aways from high school. Sometimes this is accompanied by a homemade treat and sometimes not. It is meaningful and a way for me to remember that student.”
- “My students know I am passionate about film. One gift I received was a plastic movie theater popcorn box filled with packets of popcorn and other movie snacks like milk duds and skittles. There was also a nice note and a couple of local movie theater passes. It was so personal and thoughtful.”
- “My favorite gift(s) from a student has and always will be artwork to hang in my office. I have several paintings cluttering the walls and each one reminds me of that specific student. Kids always like looking at the artwork, too.”
- “My favorite annual gift are these homemade cinnamon rolls at Christmas time from this one parent that I love.”
- “Handwritten notes are always the best!”
So ditch the “Greatest Teacher Ever” mug and have the kid write a note or draw a picture of thanks to the teacher. Anything that was memorable to the student or family from that year will make the note that much more personal and meaningful. It will be something the teacher treasures and remembers always!
What are your go-to teacher gift ideas?
