10 Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas (No mugs allowed)
Hey y’all!
As someone who has been in education for over 15 years, I can't help but get a little (or a lot) excited for the annual ritual of Teacher Appreciation Week. It's that time when grouchy complaint emails to teachers become emails of gratitude…teachers’ desks become adorned with colorful gift bags, and we really feel appreciated for a year of hard work—sometimes more for the sentiment than the actual gift.
Now, don't get me wrong, I've cherished every "World's Best Teacher" mug given to me…but let's face it, teachers only have so much cabinet space for all of those mugs!
In the spirit of genuine appreciation, let's consider what teachers truly desire during this special week. Spoiler alert: It's not another mug.
If you are looking for practical ways to show your favorite teachers appreciation, you are in the right place! Join me as I go through affordable and practical gifts that teachers truly desire and would be over the moon to receive!
1. Gift Cards
Gift cards allow a teacher to pick out books that they need for their classroom libraries, odds and ends that keep a classroom running, and classroom decor. My favorite places to get these gift cards include: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and Michael’s. Other gift card ideas may include the coffee shop that’s around the corner from campus (sometimes teachers just need a quick get-away and the closest coffee shop is a safe haven!) or even a restaurant that’s close by so someone on the team can quickly grab lunch. Another idea could be a DoorDash gift card so your favorite teacher can order lunch that day instead of packing one or having to eat in that dreaded cafeteria. ;)
2. Classroom Supply Refresh
By the end of the year, the classroom supplies have probably become pretty sparse…pencils are probably about an inch long, crayons that used to be solid are now in crumbles, and boxes of Kleenex are a rare currency. Your favorite teacher will love a classroom supply refresh! If this is the route you go, the best brands include Crayola for markers and crayons, Ticonderoga for pencils, Paper Mate Flair tip pens, Paper Mate Inkjoy Gel Pens, colorful Sharpies, and Kleenex with the lotion.
3. Healthy Snack Stash
In the classroom, time is fleeting and the lunch break flies by, which means, your favorite teacher is probably hungry! Healthy go-to snacks are always a welcome gift and a way to keep that teacher from eating the kids (joking!). Some good healthy go-to snacks include beef jerky (Chomps original is great!), popcorn, Macrobars for a good protein kick, charcuterie boards, and some yummy OliPop drinks (Cream Soda is my favorite!).
4. Massage or Pedicure Gift Card
Y’all. Education is so hard. It’s one of those jobs, if you do not work in education, you may not understand how hard it truly is. Rumor has it that teachers make on average 1,500 decisions per day, which is a decision per minute. That’s exhausting. I guarantee, whether your favorite teacher is a man or woman, they would be ecstatic to receive a gift of relaxation so they can recharge, whether it’s a massage gift card or to go grab a pedicure, it would be a gift well received.
5. Alcohol
Now, this may be a tricky gift to actually get to your teacher depending on campus rules and regulations about having alcohol on campus, but I’m sure an at home margarita kit would make that favorite teacher smile ear to ear! Make sure you deliver this and don’t send this with your student.
6. Cute Lanyards
Now, I am not one of those teachers that rotates their daily lanyard based on their outfit, but there are a lot of teachers that rock that vibe. Etsy has cute teacher lanyards that your favorite teacher would love for pretty good prices!
7. Funny t-shirts like these on Etsy.
8. Amazon Wish-List Items
At the beginning of the year, many teachers create an Amazon Wish-List with items they hope to have donated to help their classrooms and students for the year. While some teachers are lucky enough to get their list “cleared” (meaning generous folks have bought up all of the items to donate to their rooms), not everyone is so lucky. Check to see if your favorite teacher still has any items on their list and pick what you think would be a good addition to the classroom for the end of the year and years to come.
9. A Heartfelt Thank You-Note
Teaching can often feel like a thankless job. Receiving a heartfelt note of the work you have witnessed the teacher pour into your child would definitely make your favorite teacher’s day. It’s also something that they can refer back to on those really hard days when they are questioning their life choices (we all have those days from time to time).
10. A Respectful Student
Last but definitely not least, a student that is RESPECTFUL and ready to learn each day. Honestly, this is the most important gift a teacher can receive on a day-to-day basis. Your support and encouragement for your student to be a child that is loving and kind is the best gift you can provide. Also, to feel respected and trusted by parents is such a gift for teachers!
I did want to include a quick side-note. I have heard from many middle school and high school teachers that they do not receive anything at all during the week of teacher appreciation. Often times, middle school and high school teachers have well over 100 students. I know that buying for multiple teachers can be very expensive, which is why many parents opt out of celebrating this week when their students are in higher grade levels. I totally understand how it can get really pricey to do this! Try one of the cheaper options, like a $5 drink card (if you can), or if all you do is write a quick note, that would definitely help each teacher to feel noticed and appreciated.
I hope you have found ways to love on your favorite teacher this week. Here's to celebrating the unsung heroes of the classroom in a way that goes beyond the sea of mugs.
…and to my fellow educators: I see you and am proud of you! It’s almost summer.
