I have three general rules when gifting for teachers. 1 - Think of them as people first, teachers second. 2 - Make sure it is actually useful (not just cute or teacher themed). 3 - Always refer to their teacher survey results to personalize it for them. Oh and maybe a 4 - no mugs. Hmmm…and 5 - when in doubt give a giftcard, but make it cute. Ok, apparently I have 5 general rules.
With all the teacher gifting experience I’ve had over the last 8 years and 3 boys’ worth of classes, I’ve compiled quite a list of fun ideas to spoil those sweet teachers. If you use any of these ideas, I’d LOVE to see how they turn out. Tag me on insta @theselittlelovesgifting
2. TEA-cher Appreciation Notes - This is one of my favorites as a gift from the whole class (and if your teacher is a tea drinker). Each student writes a thank you note on a tag (E Frances paper little notes are the perfect size) and you staple them to the tea bag tags! Every time the teacher makes a cup of tea they get to read a sweet note. Reel found HERE.
3. Custom tote with favorite treats, pins and patches - This is a new idea I put together this year. I love being able to customize the bags for the teacher and filling them with their favorite treats and flowers. I have a whole blog post about it HERE and a reel HERE.
4. Zipper cosmetics pouch filled with goodies - This is probably my most popular teacher gift idea I’ve ever posted. These small makeup pouches are adorable filled with goodies and gift cards. See what I put in mine in this REEL.
5. Card zipper wallet with gift cards - I have a small zipper pouch in my purse solely for gift cards. These pouches from target work great. If you want a nicer option, these nano pouches from lululemon are great. For guys, I like this leather option.
6. Signed Reusable Cold Drink Cup - If your teacher loves a good iced coffee, these cups make such a sweet gift from the whole class. Buy the Starbucks reusable cold cups at the store and these special sharpie creative markers work perfectly. I covered it in dishwasher safe mod podge, but it didn’t actually survive in the dishwasher when I tested it, so hand wash is the safest. Fill it with their favorite drink and add a cute tag for gifting :). Full reel HERE.
7. Signed Planter and Plant - This is a great way to get the whole class involved. Have the students sign a plant pot with a paint marker. And make sure it is an easy care plant.
8. Sidewalk chalk appreciation notes - This is one of my favorite activities for teacher appreciation week. If your classrooms open up to the outdoors (like ours do in CA), then the students can show up early and decorate outside their classroom with sidewalk chalk.
9. Cross Stitch thank you - The stitch people booklet is perfect for making sweet keepsakes for teachers…and so fun to personalize!
10. Project bag with yarn - one year I had a teacher that loved to knit. I made a small project bag for her and filled it with yarn in her favorite colors.
11. Custom cookies - I DIY’d these, but if making cookies isn’t your thing, check with local bakeries or on Etsy!
12. Favorite snack baskets - Always a great option…fill a basket with their favorite snacks! These fabric bins from container store are inexpensive and super useful.
13 All about my teacher page - This is a great way to get kids involved. This printable is a cute option.
14. Planter filled with gifts - I’m slightly obsessed with making gift packaging useful, so I loved putting together a flower/spring themed gift in a plant pot. This one has a growing candle (candle that turns into a planter), modsprout wildflower seed bomb, E frances sunny little notes, and a sweetgreen giftcard.
15. Bluetooth portable speaker - These speakers are great for the classroom or trips to the beach. I’ve gifted both the Sonos and the JBL versions.
16. Drink carrier with sparkling water and flowers - This idea has been popular the last few years. Fill one side of these to go drink carriers with flowers and then the teacher’s favorite drink in the other. You could even add the signed reusable cold cup from #6 above. My friend did an adorable version HERE.
17. Instax camera and film - I use these in the classroom all the time to print cute photos for projects. If you gift one, make sure you add film!
18. Desk organizer with treats - Again, if I can find a way to make the gift container useful I will. These spinning organizers are great to fill with treats and flowers. Full details HERE.
19. Drawer organizer with treats - These adorable drawer organizers also work perfectly for a unique and useful gift basket. Full details HERE.
20. Reusable ziplocks filled with goodies - These reusable ziplocks are perfect gift packaging! I filled mine with custom post it note pads (see link below), a target gift card, and treats. Full reel HERE. There are so many options for filling…even homemade treats would be perfect!
21. Custom notepads, custom post-its - I found the custom post-it note options from Shutterfly to be super reasonable and there is no quantity minimum for each name/design. Also, these notepads are just adorable. There are lots of teacher themed notepads out there, but these charmpads are a favorite of mine. See how I wrapped them for back to school gifts HERE.) Joy Creative Shop also has some cute custom notepads.
23. Signed pic frame and photo of class - Another great whole-class option. Buy a frame that has a photo matte that the students can sign with colorful sharpies and be sure to include a class photo.
24. Make a booklet from a cute notepad (like this one from above)…The kids each took a page and wrote why their teacher makes them smile. Then I gifted the rest of the unused notepad to the teacher as well.
25. Baking kit - If your teacher loves to bake, you can fill a basket with premium baking ingredients (like this Mexican vanilla, this vanilla paste, these chocolate chips, or these sprinkles). You could even make a special dessert theme like my skillet cookie baking kit above using this mini lodge skillet. See the reel HERE.
26. Stanley with flowers - I’ve given flowers in Stanley cups twice now, and they are a big hit. It beats another boring vase hands down. See my REEL here.
27. Teachers are magic stickers, custom flair pen sticker - Cute stickers are a great gift add-on. These are two of my favorites.
28. Mini composition notebook with gift cards and notes - It is basically physically impossible for me to give a gift card in the boring little envelope it comes in. This idea is so simple, but adorable. And there are lots of pages for kids to write notes on or for tucking in several gift cards.
29. Lego flowers built by class with notes and vase - A great (and lasting) alternative to gifting fresh cut flowers. Even better if the students build the flowers for the teacher.
30. Self care cozy socks plus lotion stone/stick - I love doing this in the winter, especially! The Kate McLeod lotion stones or everyday lotion stick are super luxe. These Ugg socks are my favorite.
31. Gift card to a local bookstore and book lover sticker - If your teacher loves to read (and so many of them do!)…consider getting a gift card to a local bookshop. Throwing in a cute reading sticker is also a great bonus.
32. Hand soap/sanitizer and gift card - Moisturizing hand sanitizer and/or hand soap makes a great gift during cold and flu season.
33. Coffee and Cookie - Two sweet treats and a cute excuse to use a tag that says “If you give a teacher a cookie, she’ll probably want a coffee to go with it.”
34. Drink pool float and sparkling water - A super cute way to kick off summer. Turn these pool float drink holders into a little gift basket with a cold drink and a gift card.
35. Cookie with restaurant giftcard - This is great for gifting a teacher lunch at their favorite spot. When buying the giftcard, grab one of the restaurant’s desserts and tie it up with a bow!
36. Handmade belt bag or small pouch with new flair pens and gift card - Do you sew? Make a custom bag for your teacher and fill with new flair pens, other goodies, and/or a gift card. I love this noodlehead pattern and this one.
37. Illylilly lanyard - These handmade lanyards are so adorable. They have a ton of creative options.
38. Holiday garlands for classroom - These handmade felt garlands are a perfect classroom decoration. Tie a gift card to the top for an extra touch.
39. Beach towel and cold drink - these Dock and Bay beach towels and sand cloud ones are high quality and compact. Throw in a summer drink (or nice sunscreen, goodr sunglasses, or gift card). Wrap with a ribbon and it is the perfect end of year teacher gift.
41. Ember mug - I think everyone who drinks coffee or tea should have one of these. It revolutionizes your morning.
42. Something from their classroom wishlist - Ask the teacher if they have a classroom amazon wishlist and shop away!
43. Door dash giftcard, nice candles, bottle of wine - Gift them a date night at home. These beeswax dipped candles are super luxe and long lasting.
44. Yeti cup koozie and fave beverage - I once had a teacher who loved to drink Diet Coke during the day. I gifted her a yeti cup koozie and a 12 pack of Diet Coke.
Ok, I’m going to pause this list here. I have about 10 more ideas on my list from previous years, but I want to get this post out today as Teacher Appreciation starts in 1 week! My goal is to keep adding to this list as time goes on.
Happy gifting!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment