Teacher gift ideas

It’s all over Pinterest: “The gifts teachers actually want.” As if teachers fall into a set category when really they are just like all your family and friends – the gift depends on the person.

But, I was curious, what is the best gift some teachers have received? So I did an informal FB poll:

“A poster made by my students that connected every piece of literature we read with a real-world lesson. This was spontaneous and fun: a $50 gift card from Nordstrom.”
-Holly S., high school teacher “

A video from my MUN kids saying goodbye and thank you. Also lots of Starbucks [gift cards].” -Eleanor Z., high school teacher

“A big box of school supplies: paper, markers, grading pens, pencils, Kleenex, paperclips, whiteboard markers, manilla folders…It was awesome!” -Kelly M., high school teacher

“Gift cards!:)” – Kelly J., elementary teacher

“A Staples gift card.” -Marjorie F., high school teacher

“I had one boy who handed me a bag at Christmas and said, “I hope you like it. I don’t really know what’s in there, I just told my mom to get some girl stuff.” It was a candle and some lotion. It was sweet of him to ask his mom to pick something up and totally a middle school moment for him to awkwardly hand it to me and say that! 🙂 I really appreciated notes from my students – I still have a folder of those.” – Amanda L., middle school teacher.

Amanda now writes notes to her kids’ teachers with specific things she and her kids have appreciated along with a gift card to their favorite restaurant or store.

My favorite gift was when my journalism students wrote an article about me when I “retired” and included what they had learned and even some of my crazy sayings. I have it hanging in my craft room today.

I also liked Kelly M.’s and Marjorie F.’s suggestions because teachers don’t get paid enough to begin with, and then they have to use their paycheck on stocking supplies for their class? Craziness.

But here is the big secret: teachers appreciate any form of thanks. Anything. We stress about it, but it really doesn’t matter. That said, here are just a few ideas I’ve had for end-of-year gifts for my son’s preschool teachers.

My sister painted these bags from old MOPS supplies to sell at our silent auction. Her first time stenciling! She’s a natural.

Teachers always need bags to cart stuff around so I bought a couple and then took my son to Target so he could pick out what went inside.

Can you tell that he likes blue? And, yes, he loves chap stick. I also gave them a card with a Starbucks gift card inside.

These were dollar store clipboards that I covered with mod podge and scrapbook paper. The back of one had a stain so I had to cover it as well. I tore the edges to give it more of a weathered look and that way they don’t have to be totally straight.

I had so many clipboards when I was a teacher and wish that mine had been cute.

A friend of mine bought one at the silent auction and then created two of her own. Love those scrapbook patterns. She did a great job.

Another idea: a wreath. Let’s face it: teachers (and a lot of people) don’t have time to be crafty. I never did. You think they have it easy because they work 7 to 3, but what really happens is that 3 p.m. is sometimes when their day really begins with grading, prepping, etc.

So, a wreath might be fun. If they are into decor…Just depends on the person, of course. 😉