What Teachers Really Want
I’m often asked, “What do teachers really want for a gift? As a teacher and a mom, I recognize the dilemma. What type of gift does a teacher actually appreciate? There seems to be so many occasions for gift giving: holidays, Teacher Appreciation Week. Let me give you the honest truth! Most of us really, really don’t expect anything, but it is so nice to be appreciated!
Isn’t that what anyone wants? To be recognized for a job well done. Teachers are our parenting partners and our children’s
biggest cheerleaders.
Personally, I love to pay attention to what my child says about their teacher to hopefully come up with something unique and special. When that’s not an option, what do I give? I polled a bunch of teacher friends to find out, what teachers really want.
Here are the top 2 things teachers really want and a helpful list of gift giving do’s and don’ts at the bottom.
Best Gifts for Teachers:
1. Gift Cards
The #1 most popular gift for teachers. You really can’t go wrong with gift cards. I really love it when I can contribute to a whole class gift card for a teacher or coach. As a parent, I can usually spend less money on a group gift that has a larger ticket than I could ever afford by myself. As a teacher, it’s so nice to receive! If Room Parents are interested, they can send out a secret letter to all of the parents and collect contributions.
Trust me, you really can’t go wrong with a gift card!
2. A Personal Note
No special occasion is needed for a
kind note. I love to
receive notes from families!Our teaching days can sometimes be challenging. All of the feedback we receive is not always positive. I keep all of the nice notes and sometimes even display them. I’ve even worked with principals who keep a “Happy File” that holds special parent letters. Everyone has hard days, the notes keep us going. What may only take you 10 minutes to write, can bring joy to a teacher all year.
Gifts Teachers Also Appreciate:
1. Books for the Classroom
Special books for the teacher and classroom are always cherished. Instead of having your children sign the book, just put a nice book plate in the front and add a dedication.
Click here for a helpful list>>> Books for Teachers
2. Handmade Cards from Students
Teachers love to hear that they are touching a life. Special cards written from the heart are the ones they keep!
We love these cute handmade cards which are easy for kids to make:
3. Classroom Supplies
Teachers often buy these things with their own money; ask them to create a wish list so you know what’s needed!
4. Playground or Sports Equipment
At the end of the year, many items are lost and the kids often need some new things to play with.
5. Bring Them Lunch
Teachers never get to go out for lunch. Give them a few choices and then go and pick it up. Do not plan on staying to eat with them. They’d like to eat with their friends.
Gifts Teachers Don’t Really Want:
1. Apples
There are so many cute apple things out there for teachers. They make you think of your child’s teacher. Hold yourself back, refrain, do not purchase, you can do it! They don’t want it! Even a real apple can become quite a mess by the time your child gets it to school.
2. Stuffed Animals – nope!
3. Ceramic Figurines – sorry!
4. Homemade treats
This one may come as a surprise! Many factors here: 6 kids may bring in treats, the teacher is on a diet or has food allergies. All in all, save yourself the time and energy!
5. Perfume and Candles
May sound like a grand idea or you’ve had one to re-gift for a while. But certain scents are very off-putting to people.
6. Coffee Mugs
I know, you got a great deal at the Dollar Store! Try to refrain!
For More Teacher Gift Ideas:
Teacher Appreciation Questionnaire (Free Printable)
Teacher Appreciation Books
Teacher is Having A Baby Gift
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Great post!! 🙂 shared and linked on my fb pg.
Anything with little hand prints all over it! I also am not a big fan of little keepsake books and photos. Terrible – I know! But I don’t have anywhere to store it and I’ve been teaching for a long time!
I loved gift cards and treats!
Wonderful idea to get tips from real teachers to help those who want to show their appreciation to their favorite teachers!
Love the lunch idea – true, we never can go out because our lunch is less than 25 minutes! I enjoy contributions of books to my classroom (I teach language arts) or gift cards so I can buy books. Once I had parents get together and buy a gift card to a REALLY nice restaurant that I would never choose to pay for out of my pocket – my husband and I had a wonderful time. Kids have offered to babysit for me so my husband and I can go out – LOVE that idea, too!
Books! I like to be asked what types of books are needed in my class library. One time a mom brought me all of her son’s I Can Read books that he’d finished. There were about 25 – worth $100 if I’d bought them new! It benefits the teacher and your child! Brand new teachers could also really benefit from a “Book Shower”. Most first year teachers only come with about 25 books in their stash – that’s only 1 per child! Can you imagine? Thrift stores are fabulous places to find books for classrooms. Garage sales are even better!
Agreed, Books are a great gift for teachers!