Yes, it’s that time again for emails from Room Parents and Venmo payments galore. I think we can agree–by and large, teacher gifts are well-deserved and we wish we could give our teachers a million bucks for their dedication to our kiddos and for the hard work they do all year long. But if we don’t have the bankroll of Ebenezer Scrooge, how do we make sure our teacher gifts are meaningful and practical?
We scoured your comments on the Annapolis Moms Facebook group (many comments from actual teachers) on this topic and have tallied the results to answer this question once and for all.
Here are top teacher gifts and tips according to our community!:
- Gift Cards: Your number one mentioned idea is gift cards, far and away! Here are the top mentioned types of gift cards, listed in order of the most mentions:
- Target by a narrow margin this was the #1 most requested! Some teachers mentioned that you go here and use the gift cards to buy treats and supplies for your classroom- bless your hearts!
- Amazon-you knew this one was coming!
- Coffee or Starbucks…because it takes a lot of caffeine to do what teachers do!
- Dunkin Donuts…another caffeine option with optional donuts!
- Here are some other options that had 1 or 2 mentions: Panera Bread, Visa, Nordstrom Rack, Movie Theater, local or favorite restaurant, Black Market Bakers, Sam’s Club, Michaels, Barnes and Noble, Chick-fil-A, 7-11
- Homemade Notes, Cards, or Drawings: So many comments said this is the most meaningful gift that teachers receive and that they cherish these for years to come. A lot of you also suggested pairing this (free) option with a small gift card.
- Handmade Ornaments: A few of you also mentioned that giving/receiving handcrafted ornaments is a favorite.
- Other Ideas: Beyond these few favorites, most items had only 2-3 mentions. Here they are in order of most mentions: Cash, lotion, candles, chocolate, soap, flowers, Stanley tumbler, gloves, umbrella.
- No thank you! Some teachers mentioned some gifts that are very common but overdone: these are mugs, jewelry, apples, and home-baked gifts (the comment being that unfortunately food safety concerns of home-baked goods might cause these to be discarded.)
This community is so creative and helpful! Check out these other hot tips for teacher gift-giving:
- Stay within your budget. Many of you said that it’s the thought, not the amount, that counts with teacher gifts. A $5 gift card and a handwritten card is a cherished gift as much as the next. Teachers realize that families have a lot of factors to consider in gift-giving such as how many kids in the family, personal budgets, etc., so don’t feel pressured to give more than you feel able, regardless of the “suggested” amounts.
- Don’t overlook “specials” teachers and support staff. Who else in the school do you want to celebrate? Are “specials” (Generally speaking: PE, music, art, media) your child’s favorite class of the day? Do the administrative assistants always go above and beyond? If so, maybe consider a small gift card for them to show them your appreciation.
- Show them you know them. Teachers mentioned it’s always a nice touch when their gift shows that kids or families pay attention to what they like. Does your kid’s teacher always buy coffee from 7-11? Maybe consider a 7-11 gift card.
- “Favorite Things” list. Some schools or PTOs ask teachers and staff to complete a short form so that holiday or end-of-year gift giving can be a little more personal. If your school doesn’t already do this, consider asking them to start. Some questions that might go on the form are: Hobbies/Interests, Favorite Restaurants, Favorite Places to Shop, Favorite Colors, Strong Dislikes/Allergies
Happy gifting! And thank you for your insight, teachers!
A Holiday Favorite— Revamped: Shepherd’s Pie