While no teacher expects gifts from their students, a gift is a small way to let your children’s teachers know how much you appreciate them, especially during these unprecedented times. Not only has the pandemic been an adjustment for children and parents, but also for teachers, who have had to be flexible and adapt to new styles of teaching.
Finding the perfect gift for your child’s teacher can be challenging without knowing their hobbies, things they dislike or if they have any dietary restrictions. If you need a little guidance, here’s everything you need to know about buying gifts for your children’s teachers, including some gift ideas they’re sure to love.
Considerations when buying gifts for your children’s teachers
Here are a few things to think about when buying teacher gifts.
When can I give my children’s teachers a gift?
While you don’t need a special occasion to give your child’s teacher a gift, here are a few times throughout the year when you can show your appreciation.
Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day are popular times of the year to give your children’s teachers a gift.
End of the school year: Since your child has spent a whole year with their teacher, this is an ideal time for gifts such as a scrapbook, homemade drawing or letter.
Teacher Appreciation Week: The first full week of May every year is known as Teacher Appreciation Week, so feel free to let your child’s teacher know how much you appreciate them.
Special events: If your children’s teachers happen to share special events like their birthday or getting married, your child might like to give something to congratulate them.
Teacher gift dos and don’ts
Every teacher is different. However, here are some tips to keep in mind when getting your child’s teacher a gift.
Do give handmade gifts. This is a way to ensure your idea is unique and thoughtful.
Don’t give classroom supplies unless your child’s teacher specifically asks for them.
Do bring food and other treats, as long as you know what your child’s teacher likes.
Don’t give scented gifts like lotions and candles to your child’s teacher unless you know their favorite scents.
Do keep the gifts affordable. Your child’s school might have a cap on the amount of gifts the teacher can receive.
Best gifts for your children’s teachers
Virtual teacher gifts
Chocolate: available at 1-800-Flowers
Giving gifts to your children’s teachers is difficult if you never see them. Sending chocolate is a great way to show your appreciation virtually. Plus, there are so many varieties that you can be sure to find something they’ll love.
XP-Pen G430S Ultrathin Graphic Tablet: available at Amazon
It’s challenging to teach virtually when you can’t provide demonstrations or drawings on the whiteboard. With this graphic tablet, teachers can show mathematical equations, draw graphs or fill in the blank sentences. It’s an ideal gift for any remote teacher.
Flowers: available at 1-800-Flowers
Teachers who are working remotely miss being with students as much as they miss being with their friends and teachers. Add a little color to their home office with a flower delivery. You can choose from a variety of sizes and flowers.
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Charging Station for Multiple Devices: available at Amazon
The advancement of technology has made virtual learning much more accessible. You can join a Zoom class from your phone, read a textbook on your kindle e-reader or write a paper on your iPad. This five-port charging station can accommodate multiple devices so your children’s teachers will always be ready for their next class.
Edible teacher gifts
Flavored Coffee Pods Variety Pack: available at Amazon
Coffee is loved by teachers all around the world. If you know your child’s teacher is a coffee enthusiast, gift them with this variety pack from Crazy Cups. It includes 30 different flavors of coffee so they can try a new flavor every day for a month.
Taylors of Harrogate Assorted Specialty Teas Box: available at Amazon
If your children’s teachers prefer tea, this specialty box of teas is an ideal gift to show your thanks. It includes 48 individual tea bags of six different flavors. They can make tea at home or in the classroom.
CraveBox Snack Food Care Package: available at Amazon
Whether your child’s teacher likes salty or sweet, this care package has it covered. Teachers often only have a few minutes to eat some food before the next class, so having a variety of snacks to choose from at any time of the day is helpful.
Useful teacher gifts
Rainbow Teacher Lanyard: available at Etsy
Help your child’s teacher ditch the standard school lanyard by giving them this lanyard with a personalized maple wood name disk. It’s made with silicone beads, micro paracord and metal hardware, and features a plastic breakaway safety clasp. Teachers can use it for keys or an ID card.
EcoRight Canvas Tote Bag: available at Amazon
A tote bag will help teachers transport all the papers and books they need to bring home every day. This EcoRight tote bag has 15 design options to choose from and is 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly. They’re also machine washable and won’t shrink.
Personalized Classroom Teacher Stamp: available at Etsy
Teachers have a ton of writing to do every single day. Make their job a little easier by giving them a personalized classroom stamp. Choose from several options, including a “property of” stamp, a “to-do list” stamp or a “good job” stamp for assignments. In addition, you can choose from seven self-inking colors, so they never have to worry about where their ink pad is.
Self-care teacher gifts
Waffle Textured Soft Fleece Blanket: available at Amazon
Whether they’re working remotely from home or in the classroom, your child’s teacher will get a ton of use out of this soft, textured fleece blanket. With dimensions of 50?x70?, it’s larger than other throw blankets, so there’s no need to choose between keeping shoulders or feet warm.
Neck and Back Massager with Heat: available at Amazon
Sitting at a desk all day and guiding young minds are tasks bound to leave teachers with neck pain and backaches. This convenient massager is portable and can be used at home or in the classroom. It also has heat to improve blood circulation.
Personal teacher gifts
DIY Wood Slices Christmas Ornaments: available at Amazon
Personal gifts are an excellent way for the teacher to remember your child for years to come. Kids will love contributing to their teacher’s gift and showing their appreciation. These wood slices come pre-drilled with a hole and can be used as a Christmas tree ornament or a personalized gift tag.
Personalized Name Pencils: available at Etsy
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In a classroom full of pencils, teachers are bound to lose a few. With these personalized name pencils, your child’s teacher can keep track of their pencils at all times. They’re stamped in gold and come in a variety of color choices.
Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Journal: available at Amazon
This journal is a great way for your children to tell their teacher why they’re the best teacher ever. They get to fill in some blanks, including what they love most about their classroom.
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