It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and back-to-school season is upon us! Saying goodbye to those carefree summer days can be bittersweet, but the excitement of a new school year, new friends, and new learning experiences is definitely something to look forward to. As our children gear up to head back to the classroom, many of us are also thinking about how to show appreciation for the wonderful educators who will be guiding and inspiring them throughout the year. Teachers truly are heroes, playing a vital role in our children’s lives. Partnering with them and supporting them is key, whether it’s through classroom supplies, volunteering time, or simply showing our gratitude.
Speaking of gratitude, Teacher Gifts have become a popular way to express thanks, especially at the beginning of the school year. Today, I’m sharing some fun and thoughtful teacher gift ideas that are both practical and affordable. Think of these as small tokens of appreciation to kick off the year on a positive note and let your child’s teacher know you value their dedication.
Before we dive into the gift ideas, it’s important to remember this: teacher gifts are completely optional extras. If gifting isn’t in your budget or bandwidth right now, please know that you are still an amazing parent, and your child will absolutely thrive this school year. The most important thing is the sentiment behind the gesture, not the amount of money spent. These ideas are meant to inspire you and save you time as you consider ways to acknowledge your child’s teacher.
For these gift ideas, I’m repurposing these versatile white wire baskets. You might recognize them from our summer fun baskets, and I also use them for organizing various items around the house. They’re budget-friendly and a great way to present a collection of gifts. To add a festive touch, I’ve included a cute apple rainbow garland, perfect for a back-to-school theme.
Let’s explore some specific teacher gift ideas! Just click on the titles for convenient affiliate links where you can find these items. Your support through these links helps me continue to create content for you, and I truly appreciate it!
Apple Post-It Note Dispenser and wire basket with school supplies, a thoughtful teacher gift idea.
Wire Baskets HERE
1. Apple Post-It Note Dispenser
Isn’t this apple post-it note dispenser absolutely adorable? I am completely in love with it! This weighted and refillable apple is not only cute but also super practical for a teacher’s desk. Educators are constantly jotting down notes, reminders, and ideas throughout the day, making this a gift that is both charming and useful. It’s a fun way to brighten up their workspace and keep those essential sticky notes within easy reach.
2. Classroom Books
Gifting books for the classroom library is always a wonderful idea. If you follow me on Instagram, you know our family are big readers! Children’s books hold a special place in my heart, and I often give them as gifts for birthdays and other occasions. I especially love gifting books at the start of the school year for a couple of key reasons: Firstly, books are a gift that keeps on giving, providing enjoyment and learning opportunities for the entire class year after year. Secondly, gifting books is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to a classroom library that reflects diversity and inclusivity. Including books with diverse characters and protagonists helps ensure that all children see themselves represented in literature. Two excellent choices are A Letter from Your Teacher and Our Class is a Family, both of which you can find in my Amazon storefront.
3. Practical Supplies
While it’s tempting to load up on supplies, I generally try not to make only supplies the main teacher gift, especially for first days or Teacher Appreciation Week. While supplies are undoubtedly appreciated, they are more like essential tools for teaching, and therefore often considered classroom necessities rather than personal gifts. However, providing a few helpful supply items as part of a larger gift basket is always a thoughtful touch. Consider including items that teachers often use and may run out of quickly, such as expo markers, everyone’s favorite flair pens, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and extra tissues. Many teachers end up spending their own money on these essentials, so these practical items are always welcome. Throughout the school year, don’t hesitate to check in with your teacher to see if they need any of these items or other extras.
4. Gift Cards
When in doubt, gift cards are often a teacher’s top choice! I polled numerous teachers across different schools, states, and grade levels, and a resounding number of them expressed their love for receiving gift cards. For insights on what teachers don’t want, you can check out my previous blog post, 5 Quick Teacher Gift Ideas. My go-to gift card choices are usually Target, Amazon, and Starbucks. If you know of a specific restaurant or shop your child’s teacher enjoys, a gift card from there would be a thoughtful personal touch. I often purchase the $10 Starbucks multi-packs to keep on hand for teacher gifts throughout the year.
This year, to make the gift card a little more special, I found these adorable pencil-shaped gift card holders. They even come with the cutest little notebook paper gift tag! You can snag a single holder or a set of 4 HERE.
5. Treats
Who can resist a little sweetness, especially during the busy first week of school? These adorable apple-shaped cookie pops from Frost Your Cookie are such a fun and festive treat. You can even personalize them with a custom saying or the teacher’s name. I also picked up pencil and notebook cookie pops for my girls to enjoy after their first day back – a little treat for everyone!
Consider supporting your favorite local baker or donut shop for teacher treats as well. A small sweet treat can go a long way in brightening someone’s day.
6. Drinks
Teachers are constantly on the go, especially on the first day of school! Gifting a drink is a thoughtful and inexpensive way to show you care. You could subtly ask about their favorite beverage beforehand, or opt for universally appreciated options like bottled water, an energy drink, or a Starbucks iced coffee. (Treat yourself to one too while you’re at it!). I chose these Starbucks Frappuccino Vanilla Chilled Coffee Drinks ($3 each) during a regular grocery run. To add a personal touch, I tied on some ribbon and used the fun notebook paper gift tags from the pencil gift card holders. I wrote “Cheers to a great first day!” and signed it – a simple and sweet message to start the year off right.
Starbucks Frappuccino Vanilla Chilled Coffee Drinks with ribbon and notebook paper gift tag, a refreshing teacher gift.
7. Handwritten Note
A heartfelt, handwritten note is truly priceless. I like to write a quick note to my children’s teachers simply to say hello and express my excitement for the new school year. It’s also a great opportunity to offer support and let them know you’re happy to help out in the classroom or with any volunteer needs. I found the cutest “From [Child’s Name]’s Mom” stationery (HERE), but any note paper works perfectly. Teachers often share how much parent appreciation means to them, and a sincere note is a wonderful way to show that you value their hard work.
Free Teacher Gift Ideas:
Let’s circle back to the idea that teacher gifting is about sentiment. It’s been a challenging year for everyone, and sometimes elaborate gifts just aren’t feasible. The good news is, there are many meaningful and free ways to show teacher appreciation! Here are a few ideas:
- Offer to Read to the Class: If in-person volunteering isn’t possible, record yourself reading a story and send it to the teacher to play for the class.
- Volunteer to Create a Classroom Newsletter: Help lighten the teacher’s workload by offering to create a monthly classroom newsletter.
- Volunteer Your Time: Be proactive and ask the teacher if they need help with anything – classroom tasks, organizing, or special projects.
- Donate Extra Supplies: Donate any unused school supplies you might have at home, like extra snacks or pencils.
- Donate Used Books: Donate gently used books your children have outgrown to the classroom library.
- Join the PTA: Become involved in the Parent-Teacher Association – it’s a fantastic way to support the school and teachers.
- Collect Craft Supplies: Ask the teacher if they need any household items like paper towel rolls or oatmeal containers for classroom crafts and offer to collect them throughout the year.
I hope these ideas are helpful as you think about teacher gifts this back-to-school season! I’ll be sharing more close-up looks and videos of these gifts on my Instagram stories, so be sure to check out my back-to-school highlight there. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below! Wishing you all a wonderful and successful school year ahead.
