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School teachers are a special sort of person, and Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect way to celebrate them with the perfect gift for teachers. I have been on both sides of this… I’ve been the teacher and the parent on Teacher Appreciation Day.
No matter where you teach – whether it be in a private or public school, in a distance learning setting with a virtual school, or a hybrid of both – teachers are working hard to help their students.
Personally, I’ve had great teachers in elementary school through high school and even in college. I still correspond with my first-grade teacher, via notes and cards, over 30 years later. I have always loved giving my teachers gifts over the years to show appreciation.
When Is National Teacher Appreciation Week?
National Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated during the first full week of May. National Teacher Appreciation Day, AKA National Teacher Day or National Education Day, is typically celebrated on the first Tuesday (of the first full week in May.) This school year, Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 will be celebrated from May 8, 2023- May 12, 2023, with National Teacher Appreciation Day 2023 occurring on May 9, 2023.
When is Teacher Appreciation Day?
This year, Teacher Appreciation Day 2023 takes place on May 9, according to the National Education website. It is a day to honor the kind, hardworking, and patient individuals who create an everlasting impact on our lives. This week is used to celebrate teachers, support staff, administration, and anyone else in the district. It’s a great time to show the special teacher in your life how much you appreciate all they have done.
Note: Ag Teacher Appreciation Day is scheduled on various dates in February. In 2023, this is February 22nd.
What do teachers really want for gifts?
You are probably wondering what teachers really want for gifts. I’ve heard of so many great ideas, but I’m going to narrow it down today to the ones that I know they can use. Here is a quick list, but if you want more specific ideas, skip down to the next section, where you’ll find more detailed ideas.
Teacher Appreciation Day Gift Ideas
Show Your Teachers You Appreciate All that They Do! Here are some of the most requested gifts.
- Gift Cards – This one always tops the list of gifts that teachers really want.
- Books (oh- Check out this article about what teachers wish parents knew about reading with their kids)
- School Supplies
- Games for Indoor & Outdoor Recess
- Something signed by the entire class
- A card, picture, or note
- Offer to volunteer (in or out of the school by doing things like printing, cutting, and prepping)
- Lanyards
Detailed List Of Teacher’s Gift Ideas (with specific ideas)
As a teacher, I’ve received teacher gifts that range from DIY flower pens to a surprise lunch from a local restaurant. I think that every teacher appreciates these tokens of appreciation, no matter what the gift may be. With that said, I’ve asked my teacher-friends, and we came up with this list of our favorite Teacher Appreciation Day gift ideas.
1. A Hand-Written Note from the Student
There is nothing that a teacher loves more than a hand-written note. It is truly a gift for teachers from students because they are putting in extra work to show their appreciation. 🙂 A letter or note is a great gift because it shows that you have taken the time to think about them and write down your thoughts.
Even an email or message on social media is enough to tug at a teacher’s heartstrings. Have your child write about how they have helped them do something, be something, explore something, or learn something.
While a thank-you note makes a great gift all by itself, if you decide to use one of the gift ideas below, I suggest including a handwritten note with the gift.
You can even have your child fill out a teacher questionnaire. They are memorable, and they look so cute & trendy!
2. A Hand-Written Note from the Parent
At the same time, one of the best teacher appreciation gifts you could give to your child’s teacher is a note to say how YOU Have noticed a difference in your child.
Has this teacher inspired them?
Helped them to work harder?
Helped your child to have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset?
Tell them! There’s nothing like a few words of affirmation to let someone know they are appreciated.
3. Group Gift Ideas from the Class
Have the students work together to make a great gift!
- A photo book with snapshots taken throughout the year and a little note from each student written on an index card.
- An apron for crafting with a signed note from each child.
- A picture tote bag with the class picture.
- One of my friends made a bookshelf for their child’s teacher, and each of the kids in the classroom put their handprints on the bookshelf with a variety of paint colors. Then, each child chooses a favorite book to add to the bookshelf.
- A plant with a beautiful note about helping your child grow.
TIP FOR PARENTS: If your child’s school offers a Teacher’s Luncheon on this day, use that time to sneak in (with permission from the office) and get the students to decorate the classroom!
Surprise the teacher by decorating their classroom with appreciation-themed decorations such as banners, balloons, or posters. You can also create a collaborative class art project or a bulletin board with messages of appreciation to brighten up the classroom. You can also ask the kids to dress in a way to celebrate the teacher– maybe wearing their favorite color or designing Crazy Sock Day socks with things that the teacher loves.
4. Out-of-the-Box Gift Ideas from the Student to the Teacher
Some gifts are specifically made for teachers, while others are gifts that are for everyone. Here are fun gifts for teachers, assistants, room parents, office staff, or volunteers. These gifts are the ones that you just enjoy because they are for YOU. Here are some ideas!
- Audible Membership – I love audiobooks!
- Echo Dot – they can use this in the classroom to play music, set reminders, etc., or they can use it at home.
- Bombas Socks – Seriously, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love these socks! Teachers are on their feet for the majority of the day – these are going to make their day!
- Personalized Stickers for Teachers (perfect for keeping on their books!)
- Personalized Art – All of the student’s name & a personal message to the teacher. This is adorable & one of my favorite ideas.
- Personalized Art – Apple with Students’ names in it. A little twist to the idea above. This one would be great for a smaller class or preschool class.
- Metal Personalized Bookmarks from students to teachers – This will certainly be used for many years to come!
Practical Teacher’s Gift Idea: School Supplies
It surprises most people to learn that teachers have to buy their own school supplies. When I first started teaching, I learned that the average teacher spends between $500-$1,000, from their own salary, on school supplies for their students.
School Supply Ideas include (but are certainly not limited to) the following…
- Pencils (pre-sharpened pencils are a bonus!)
- Electric Pencil Sharpener
- Dry Erase Markers for the whiteboard.
- Erasers
- Individual Dry Erase Boards with markers & erasers (class-size set)
- Colored Pencils
- If you want to present them in more of a “gift” sort of way, you can put them in mason jars. ♡ You can dress them up with these perfectly adorable printable tags.
- Post-it Notes
- Lined Sticky Notes
- Motivational Teacher Stamp Set (to give encouragement on papers)
- Notebooks for the class
- Crayons (class-sized sets)
- Sticky Chart Paper
- Highlighters (24 pack)
- Hand Sanitizer (and lotion for dry hands!)
- 🙌 Give this gift with a cute teacher gift tag like this one!
- Tissues (grab a ten-pack!)
- Lysol wipes
- Paper Towels
- Timers
- Glue Sticks
- 2-3 hole punch
- Art & Craft Supplies (you can fill up at the dollar store or order bulk packs like this.
- Privacy Shields for Desks for test-taking. You can also make these by taping two folders together.
- Stapler for paper packets (capacity of 25 sheets)
- Scissors for the teacher and a bulk pack for the kids
- Paper Trimmer
- Dominoes or Dice 🎲 (I used both of these things for math, centers, games, and so much more!)
- Personal Laminator (They’ll use this a lot!)
You could even buy a bunch of supplies and put them into a Tote bag with a “TOTE-ally Awesome” & Adorable Gift Tag like this one…
6). Gifts for the Organized Teacher:
- Clear Containers (holds supplies)
- Binder clips
- Printable Labels or a label maker
- plastic file folders
- Ziplock bags of all sizes
- turn in trays
- whiteboard magnets
- Milk Crates (They can be used to store things, AND they double as a stool when teachers make a lid/seat.)
- Plastic Drawer Unit (this set of four is great!
- Plastic Shoe Boxes
- Short-Weave Plastic Baskets
- 12-Drawer Rolling Cart, or go bigger with this awesome rolling cart!
- Divided Caddies for tables or desks
Gift Cards for Teachers (How to creatively give a gift card)
You can send these gift cards digitally, or you can dress them up with a cute gift card holder like these and deliver it in person.
- Amazon Gift Card (nearly half of all teachers said this is the best place to give a gift card)
- Visa gift card
- Starbucks Gift Card
- Target Gift Card
- iTunes Gift card
- Gift Certificate to a book store like Barnes & Nobel
- Teachers Pay Teachers gift card
- Gift Cards for stores: Best Buy, Staples, Walmart, or Michaels
- Gift Card for food delivery (lunch on a Teacher Work Day) 🙂 Think GrubHub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, or even a favorite restaurant.
- Self-Care gift card to a local spa or store.
Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas for the Staff
- Stock the Teachers’ Lounge with gourmet coffees, hot chocolates, and teas.
RELATED: TEACHER HOT CHOCOLATE GIFT IDEAS. - Have a Teachers’ Car Wash at a local car wash place or even have them come to the school. All teachers get a free car wash.
- Dress up the teachers’ lounge with new books, magazines, snacks, or even new decor.
- Get a membership to somewhere like courses.com for the school- teachers can watch it in the teachers’ lounge or during planning periods.
- Coordinate a car wash and invite the school staff and teachers to get their vehicles washed for free.
- Have breakfast for the staff. You could ask parents to volunteer to prepare breakfast (or pick up pastries) on specific days so you get a variety of foods each day.
- Plant flowers near the school or outside of the classroom windows to give the teachers something beautiful to look at each day.
- Host a luncheon for the teachers and ask parents to volunteer to cover the classroom for one period so the teachers can attend.
- Ask local restaurants, bakeries, shops, or spas to partner with you to provide teachers with a free item or small gift card.
- Candy bars in the teacher workroom (complete with these perfect printable gift tags!)
- Send in a candy jar with a “How Sweet It is To be Taught by You!” gift tag. Then, on each day of Teacher Appreciation Week, send in a different bag of candy. Let your child’s teacher fill her jar each day with the treats that you send in daily. You can do this for the teachers’ lounge or for the office staff, as well!
Happy Teachers Appreciation Week!
Enjoy your week, and have fun finding ways to celebrate teacher appreciation week!
Teachers— don’t forget to save those letters, cards, pictures, and notes from your students, parents, and staff. If you need more ideas, check out these gift ideas for parents.
Looking for non-toy rewards for students? We’ve got you covered!
Are you supposed to bring a gift for each day during the week?
I’ve seen students do both – a little gift (flower, candy, card, etc…) each day, but I’ve also seen students just bring one gift at the end. 🙂
Wow, Becky! This is such a comprehensive and heartwarming guide for Teacher Appreciation Week. As someone who’s been deeply influenced by several incredible teachers in my life, I can’t stress enough how small gestures like these can make their day. The hand-written notes, both from students and parents, truly resonate with me. They’re a testament to the profound impact teachers have, not just on students, but on families as a whole. Your out-of-the-box ideas, especially the Personalized Art with students’ names, are absolutely delightful! And let’s not even get started on school supplies – that practical support is invaluable. Every teacher would be touched by these gestures. Thanks for sharing these brilliant ideas; I’ll definitely be putting some of them into action! 💡🍎📚🎉
Love these ideas for teacher appreciation week. I’m always a bit stumped when it comes around. I especially like the tag for a little succulent plant – that is so cute!
I do think gift cards are the best gifts for teacher appreciation week. Some of my friends are teachers and they can only have so many mugs, cookies and candy are nice but sometimes they don’t fit diet requirements… A gift card lets them get what they need or want, whether for themselves or their classroom. Love these ideas!
Teacher Appreciation Week seems to sneak up on me every year, so I’m already making plans to stay on top of it for this school year. Thanks for the great inspiration!
I have such a hard time thinking of thoughtful gifts, so this list of teacher appreciation gifts is so helpful. Thank you!
This list of teacher appreciation gifts is priceless! I never want to give my child’s teacher a gift they won’t be able to use!
Thank you! I never know what to buy as a teacher appreciate gift. Do they really need another mug??
This is such a thoughtful list for teacher appreciation gifts. I am so last minute, I need all the help I can get!
Thanks for sharing this list! It’s always a struggle to come up with teacher appreciation gifts, and this gives me some great ideas.