Thoughtful Gifts for Teachers
Thinking about what to gift your child’s teacher? Been searching for the perfect teacher gift? Wondering what your child’s teacher REALLY wants? Look no further… here are the most thoughtful gifts for teachers — that they actually want! — and two gifts to avoid.
I’ve been an educator in many capacities over the past 16 years: I’ve worked in middle school, high school, preschool, private school, Catholic school, and art school, been a tutor, worked as a sub, and dabbled in the homeschooling community.
I’ve spoken to many, many teachers, and there is a general consensus among us regarding gifts.
Some of you aren’t going to like what I have to say, but it needs to be said.
Please don’t give these gifts to teachers:
Anything you can find on pinterst or make yourself
I know it’s cute! And I know you love crafting! But there is only SO MUCH wall space in a classroom, and year after year of cute teacher crafts really adds up. Pleeeeeeease reconsider. I know you think it’s unique, but if you found it on Pinterest or your FB crafting group, it’s not.
Anything that says “teacher” on it or has an apple
Teachers love teaching, but that’s not the summation of who they are. Imagine if 15 of your coworkers gave you the same themed gift every year, twice a year (Christmas and end of year), for 10, 20, 30 years. Enough’s enough, right? Please don’t add to the teacher themed gifts found in thrift stores in January.
I know some of you are probably upset right now, and are thinking of all the lame (yes, I said it) gifts you gave your child’s teachers over the years.
Now you know, and when you know, you can do better.
The best, most thoughtful gifts for teachers (the gifts teachers really want):
Hands down, the absolute best gift you can give…
…is a note from you or your child with specific ways that teacher has impacted his/her life. Another great option is an email to the teacher, again with specifics, cced to the head of department or principal.
If you really want to give something tangible…
…give cash. I know it seems weird to stick $5 in a card, but would you want fifteen $5 gift cards to fifteen different stores, or would you prefer to put all those fives together and have $75 to spend where you please?
I think a lot of people turn to cutesy or crafty gifts because they really, truly appreciate their child’s teacher and want to show love.
We’ve been conditioned as a society that $5 in a card is too little, so we try to make that $5 or $10 stretch as far as possible or look bigger. But here’s the thing:
your child’s teacher knows you’re buying teacher gifts for several teachers
he knows Christmas is a financial hardship for a lot of families
he doesn’t expect a gift at all
she doesn’t expect a gift at all (in case you needed to read that again)
Teaches spend a shocking amount of personal money to outfit their classrooms and help their students. They spend countless hours worrying about and working for our children.
Giving an intentional and thoughtful gift - a heartwarming note or always-welcome cash - is the best way we can say “thank you” for caring so much.
Don’t get me wrong - teachers are appreciative of ANY gift. It is, after all, the thought that counts. And there will be plenty of teachers who will chime in and say they love the apple mugs.
But I’m asking you to go a step beyond your comfort zone and put yourself in a teacher’s shoes: of course you would appreciate any gift, but….
Wouldn’t your heart be so full if someone took the time to write down how you’re making a difference, what you mean to a child, validate your (thankless) profession, and/or put some of the money you spend on your students back in your pocket?
I know I would.
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If you want to remember this advice for Christmas, teacher appreciation week, or the end of the year, please pin it!
