Teacher Appreciation Week starts on May 6 in 2024, but there’s no need to confine your teacher appreciation gifts to just one week. We’ve rounded up some terrific items that teachers will really enjoy, from cute but practical to downright decadent and delicious. Plus, we surveyed 120 teachers from across the country to find out what they really want, and we’re sharing their tips and ideas with you here.
Cheryl M., a senior English teacher from New York, wants you to know one important thing: “Teachers are easy to please. Any gift matters to us. We love cards and pictures! It doesn’t have to be expensive!” With that in mind, here are some of the top gifts teachers say have made them feel appreciated throughout their careers.
#1 Teacher Appreciation Gift for 2024: Gift Cards
One of the most popular teacher appreciation gifts is also one of the easiest: gift cards! Teachers love getting to choose what they really want for themselves, from places like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and others.
Teacher Gift Card Holders
Some people worry that gift cards don’t feel “personal” enough. If that’s the case, you can always spring for a creative or personalized gift card holder. Here are some of our favorites.
Best Low-Cost Teacher Appreciation Gift: Thank-You Notes
When it comes right down to it, what teachers really want is to know all their hard work truly is making a difference. The best way to show that is to write them a thank-you note. Whether from a parent, child, administrator, or co-worker, a heart-felt letter detailing all the things that makes them unique is really one of the best gifts a teacher can get.
“Besides gift cards, one of the teacher gifts that made me feel most appreciated was handwritten thank-you notes or cards from students,” shares a math teacher from Texas. “The heartfelt words written by students convey deep appreciation and warmth, which makes me feel truly valued and encouraged.”
While a note is wonderful, you can make your note even more special using one of these ideas.
Treats: Teacher Appreciation Gifts To Eat or Drink
One of the best things about food and drink gifts is that teachers don’t need to find a place to display or store them … they can just enjoy them! Just be aware of any potential allergies or food preferences (not everyone drinks alcohol, for instance). Remember that candy and baked goods aren’t your only options; math teacher Emily Wilde’s favorite teacher gift of all time was “homemade bread and fresh eggs from a family’s chickens”!
Pro tip: Ask your child what their teacher’s favorite snacks or beverages are. They probably already know!
Teacher Keepsake Gifts
These teacher appreciation gifts help preserve the memories of a particular year, class, event, or student. Educators can display these in their classrooms for years to come!
Practical Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Most teachers love fun office supplies, and they go through things like pens, pencils, and sticky notes like they’re water. They also appreciate items that can help them stay organized or communicate while showing off their teacher personality.
Wearable Teacher Appreciation Gifts: Apparel, Jewelry & Accessories
Give them a way to show off their teacher style with these wearable gifts. (If you’re worried about getting sizes right, opt for something like socks or jewelry rather than a T-shirt.)
More Popular Teacher Appreciation Gifts
