Shopping for teacher gifts can be tricky. How do you know what they really want? Here’s the good news: We’ve got the answers! We spoke with 120 teachers from around the country to learn what makes the best teacher gifts for every style and price range. Here’s what we found out.
5 Tips for Choosing Teacher Gifts
We asked teachers to share their tips for finding the best gifts, and they had lots of helpful advice.
Simple Gifts From the Heart Are Best
“Teachers are easy to please,” says senior English teacher Cheryl M. “Any gift matters to us. We love cards and pictures! It doesn’t have to be expensive!” Lisa K. agrees: “Keep it simple. Anything is appreciated. A student-written card or a kind message means a lot.”
Personalize Your Gifts
“Think of them as a person as well as an educator,” urges Beth Jarzabek, a middle school reading teacher. Several teachers we asked encouraged folks to find out what teachers like to do in their free time and give a gift related to that. As one second grade teacher from Virginia advises, “Be intentional with the gift and get things that they like and will actually use. If you were with kids all day, what would make you feel good at the end of the day?”
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask
Many of the teachers who responded to our survey said it’s absolutely OK to find out what teachers like in advance, so you can choose a gift accordingly. “You could have them fill out a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year so you could get to know what their favorite things are,” suggests Illinois teacher Amanda Christensen. “Our PTA does this at the beginning of each school year and provides it to the public so everyone has an idea of the perfect gifts for each staff member!”
Be Mindful of Preferences and Restrictions
Asking in advance can also help you avoid gifting something a person truly dislikes or won’t use. “Please do not assume a teacher will appreciate food, coffee, alcohol,” warns high school teacher Ann Cox. “Many people have special diets due to health reasons and might not be able to enjoy your gift at all.” This is especially important when it comes to food gifts. “I’ve had parents buy me lunch and it’s meat and I don’t eat meat,” shares a first grade teacher from Texas. “I feel like it’s just a waste.”
When in Doubt, Think Practical
It might be better to take a pass on those cute little teacher tchotchkes, unless they really seem relevant. “We always appreciate the thoughtfulness of any gift, but we get rid of a lot of stuff that we don’t want to sit around and cause clutter,” admits one 6th grade teacher from Maryland. Instead, teachers tend to prefer practical or consumable items, especially those that fit their own interests and inclinations.
Best Teacher Gifts, According to Teachers
Most Appreciated Teacher Gift: Thank-You Notes
“One of the teacher gifts that made me feel most appreciated is handwritten thank-you notes or cards from students,” shares a Texas math teacher. “The heartfelt words written by students convey deep appreciation and warmth, which makes me feel truly valued and encouraged.” In fact, most teachers we surveyed say they appreciate a handwritten thank-you note over just about anything else.
Best Gift Cards for Teachers
When we ask real educators about the best gifts for teachers, the number-one answer is always the same: gift cards. They don’t need to be for a huge amount: $5 at Starbucks will get most teachers a cup of coffee, and with $10 at Dunkin’, they can grab a snack too. If you feel like a gift card isn’t enough, we’ve also rounded up some creative ways to present these gifts for teachers.
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.
Food and Drink Gifts for Teachers
Treats, snacks, and beverages are often welcome, but remember to find out about any preferences or restrictions before gifting food or drinks.
Classroom and Desk Supplies Teacher Gifts
If pre-K teacher Alicia Worthy were buying a gift for a fellow teacher, she’d definitely go practical: “Something useful that they have specifically shared that they need and will use.” If you can personalize it, so much the better. “I love cats and I also use sticky notes a lot,” says Montessori teacher Donna Paul, “so the best gift I ever received was a personalized sticky notepad with a cat on it.” Here are some popular practical gifts for teachers.
Apparel and Jewelry Gifts for Teachers
Stuff they can wear or carry is another teacher favorite, especially when you take the time to find something personalized to their subject or interests. One of the most creative gifts Christina H. ever received? “Socks that had pictures of me and my students!”
Self-Care Gifts for Teachers
Texas elementary teacher Brooke Blake loves it when people give her gifts that help her relax. Many other teachers agreed, noting that teaching can be stressful, so self-care gifts are often welcome.
More of the Best Teacher Gift Ideas
When it comes down to it, teachers appreciate any gift that shows you put some thought and effort into it. “Think outside the box,” recommends Carmen Class, a 3rd grade teacher from New Jersey. Fifth grade teacher Melanie Stalworth probably says it best: “Pick from the heart.”
Need more ideas? Check out all of our gift articles here!
