A version of this story was originally published in December 2019.
Teachers are basically saints. So, rightfully, they tend to make the list of people who deserve a spot-on gift this holiday season. But it’s also a bit complicated, since they’re not likely to be someone you know that well personally. Still, you don’t have to buy a generic “Best Teacher Ever” mug and call it a day; instead, take a look at some of the great gift suggestions we got from real teachers. The good news? It doesn’t take much to make these superheroes feel valued.
Many of the teachers we spoke with emphasized that the biggest thing they want is thanks. And Ms. Macy, a kindergarten teacher, tells SheKnows she never wants parents to spend a lot of money: “A simple card, even handmade, with a thank you — that is always the most meaningful gift,” she explains.
Other teachers sang the praises of relatively simple but useful things, like gift cards to popular stores, classroom supplies, and snacks. If these ideas seem a little less than glamorous, there are ways to make them feel more festive: adding pretty DIY wrapping and/or finding a slightly nicer version of a practical gift are good places to start. The more practical or sentimental things are going to be the most appreciated anyway: Any teacher with more than a year’s classroom experience has likely already gotten a paperweight with apples, books, and rulers on it. An actually-nice pair of socks that can be worn year-round is also going to be a lot more appreciated than, say, the novelty red-and-green set with bells sold at the drugstore.
And one final way to make the gift really feel special? “I love when the students help pick out the gift,” says Mrs. R, a second-grade teacher. “It makes them even more excited to give it to me.” To keep your kid from picking out a Paw Patrol ornament, consider giving them some guidelines: What is your teacher’s favorite color? Can you help me pick out a planter for a succulent?
For more suggestions, check out our list in the slides ahead.
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Some Winter Self-Care
Things that are too holiday-specific, like a red and green scarf, are likely to be cast aside and forgotten about come January. For something that feels seasonal but can be used all through the year, go for one of these yummy, nourishing lip treatments from Sugar. The mini trio is great for keeping stashed in desks, purses, and more.
Emergency Snacks
Teaching is hungry work — and sometimes, teachers need to feed hungry kids, too. Luckily, you can easily gift a box of the best desk snacks for your kid’s teacher, like this Cravebox Care package with peanut butter crackers, granola bars, popcorn, and more.
A Cool Candle
A candle is a great way to make a simple holiday gesture feel special. Target, TJ Maxx, and World Market are great places to find inexpensive candles that still feel fancy. Anthropologie also stocks lots of mini Blue Volcano candles this time of year that are under $15, or you can amp it up with this $25 option.
Inspirational Desk Supplies
Teachers know kids are always asking for pencils — and many times the cost for those comes out-of-pocket. Gift your child’s teacher this 36-pack of pencils with inspirational sayings like “I Am Strong, I Am Brave, I Am Amazing” and “I Am Me, I Am Curious, I Am Worthy, I Am Beautiful” so they’ll always have a positive writing utensil at their fingertips (or one to give away).
A Desk-Friendly Plant
Succulents are a great cute pick that brighten any desk — and are shockingly easy to keep alive. Brighten up your favorite teacher’s space with a gift that doesn’t “succ” — there are ton of varieties to choose from!
Cozy Toesies
Yes, socks don’t sound like the most exciting gift in the world, but they’re inexpensive (even for a fairly nice pair) and great for keeping cozy, whether your kid’s teacher is wearing them to relax at home or as an extra layer of protection from the chill during recess duty. We like these from Universal Thread – available at Target for under $10!
A Digital Photo Frame
We realize this is a smidge more expensive than your typical teacher gift, but if this is a little out of your budget, it’s a great thing to go in on with other families in your child’s classroom. With a digital photo frame like this one (with almost 5K positive reviews!), their teacher can display a rotating selection of fun class moments … or take it home to see their favorite photos there.
A Terrific Tote
If there’s a universal truth among teachers, it’s that they have a ton of stuff to schlep between home, car, and classroom — so gift them a tote bag that’s both functional and fun. The eclectic selection from Out of Print is our favorite; there are designs based on novel covers, some inspired by library cards, and so much more (they have other products too, like notebooks, pouches, and apparel!).
A Beautiful Book
Teachers are some of the biggest fans of books out there. And they are often very passionate about curating a classroom library — often from their own wallet. Picking out a book or two (with the help of your child) is a meaningful way to say thanks and give back to the classroom as whole. Especially if it’s a beautiful hard-cover edition of a classic, like this one from Wordsworth Collector’s Editions (but don’t forget to check out their entire gorgeous collection!).
A Teacherly Tumbler
Long hours at a desk means fewer opportunities to get a drink — so help your favorite educator stay hydrated with the viral Stanley Flow State Quencher Tumbler (and maybe even earn some cool points with the students!).
A Stamp of Approval
With over 60 designs and 9 different ink colors to choose from, these custom stamps will help your kid’s teacher put a personal touch on graded papers.
A Luxe Moisturizer
Since they spend their days in an environment crawling with kids (and therefore, germs), teachers have to do a lot of hand-washing. Help them replenish the moisture lost with a good hand cream like this luxe little trio from L’Occitane. Getting them lotion is fine, but getting them exceptional lotion is next-level.
A Seat Saver
Most of the teachers we talked to preferred a practical gift over a more frivolous one, and with the amount of time they have to sit at a desk, this comfy memory foam seat cushion can be a back- (and butt-) saver.
A Gift Card They’ll Use
Gift cards are another practical teacher gift that’s always appreciated. Denominations can be as low as $5 (along with the $5 card fee) and you can never, ever go wrong with a gift card. Plus, if you’re a procrastinator, you can have it delivered instantly via email.
The Gift of Never Having to Buy Stickers Again
… Or at least not for quite a while, with this mega pack of almost 5000 stickers. Consider stickers the secret heroes of classroom supplies. No one thinks they’re necessary to teaching, but they’re an inexpensive reward that delights kids well into high school. A pad of cute stickers will get a lot of use.
The Sweetest Sweatshirt
A soft and comfy sweatshirt is the perfect gift for a casual day or an evening at home — and when it’s personalized with their name and profession, it’s even better. Available in sizes S-4XL.
A Trackable Tag
In the hustle and bustle of a busy school day, it’s easy for your kid’s teacher to lose track of things — which is why they’ll appreciate a Tile tracker to help locate any item they frequently misplace.
A Gift Made With Love
“Honestly, my favorite gifts from kids are something handmade,” says Ms. Fitz, an elementary school art teacher. It’s also a great way to give something sentimental that feels more personal than a mass-produced mug or frame with a quote on it. A simple drawing or painting is great, but if you want to go a step further, a fun DIY project like these clay bowls (great for holding paperclips or safety pins!) lets your kid give their teacher a little something special.
Food, Glorious Food!
Everyone has to eat. And teachers are so busy that — like many of us — there are nights when they just can’t deal with making dinner. Or maybe they’re staying late for parent-teacher conferences. Or maybe they forgot to bring their lunch and aren’t thrilled by the selections in the school cafeteria. Whatever the reason, however they use it, your favorite teacher will love the gift of food they don’t have to cook.
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