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With the busy back to school season, it can be difficult to get to know your child’s new teacher. I’ve been lucky enough to personally know my children’s teachers since I’ve taught with them for years, so I knew that they liked certain items. For example, the middle school teachers LOVED it when we gifted Chick-Fil-A calendars at Christmas! This year, however, the teachers are new to me. I created a quick printable to send to each teacher so that I’d have so that we’d have some gift ideas. Download it here: Teacher gift survey free printable
A teacher gift doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. You don’t even need to waste time making it cutesy. Something as simple as a $1 sweet tea from McDonald’s will MAKE A TEACHER’S DAY! Just check beforehand to make sure you’re aware of allergies or dietary preferences. While you’re waiting to get the teacher’s response, here are some ideas that many teachers love.
Planner stickers
Though each teacher has a unique planning style, they all have meetings in multitude! Inexpensive planner stickers can be a fun way to set up reminders in a plan book.
Quick-dry pens
The digital age has changed the way teachers “grade” papers; however, there are still occasions for writing and giving feedback. A set of colorful, quick-drying pens is always appreciated. I often score 100+ essays over the weekend, and pretty pens make that task just a little more fun. It’s often cheaper to find multipacks online! For example, my friend loves purple Flair pens, and these are around 50 cents each. For signing documents at meetings, Inkjoy Gel retractable pens are some of the best I’ve found. They’re comfortable to grip, and they last a long time.
Disinfecting Wipes
You might think I’m crazy for sending these as a gift, but I don’t know a teacher who would refuse a supply of Clorox wipes. Consider it giving the gift of health! In my classroom, we often use wipes to clean tables and chairs. Imagine your own house-cleaning routine. You don’t want to know the amount of grime 100+ students can create in one day. I clean the phone, door handles, Smartboard, and pretty much any surface that might get exposed to germs. I even wipe down the pencils students borrow from me. It’s easy to order multiple tubs of wipes online….I go through Ebates to get cash back.
Gift Cards
Every teacher I know LOVES to receive a gift card in any amount! Send an Amazon gift card via email (even a small $5 amount is a thoughtful gesture!) or choose the print-at-home option and have your child write a sweet note on the printout.
One of my favorite teachers when I was much younger was my sixth grade teacher named Mr. Kroger. He was a very strong role model for many students that attended that school.
My English teacher mr yong from high school made quite an impact on me. I think my beliefs and values lie closely on his curriculum and resonated with me
I think gift cards make a good gift!
I believe I had some of the best teacher’s during my schooling and I think It would be great sending them a gift card.We could send them gift cards of different places.
My favorite teacher was Ms. Knoll. She cared about all of us.
I really like the Tiny Headed Kingdom Bear.
My favorite teacher was my high school speech and debate coach, Mrs. Timmons. I had her as a teacher for all four years of high school. She was smart, inspiring, and a born leader.
A great gift is a GC to a bookstore.
Thanks for the contest.
My sixth grade teacher was awesome. We learned so much that year and had fun doing it.
My favorite teachers were Mr. Walsh, Mr. Claudon, Mr. Rodey, and Mr. Wroughton. All English teachers.
We sent a gift card for Christmas and end of the year. Whether they use it for themselves or whatever – I know that they have to put in so much for their classrooms every year!
My favorite teacher was Peg Day in Journalism. Her husband was an FBI agent so she got extra cool points.
The planner stickers are genius! I also like the idea of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. So smart!
My daughter’s teacher loves purple so a quick dry purple pen would be so perfect for her. I must remember to pick some up while I’m at Target next time! Thank you for the idea.
Gift cards are always great.
These are great gift idea that I will have to keep in mind for the end of summer.
I would say gift cards would be a great teacher gift.
My Geography Teacher named MR. Crouch was my favorite Teacher.
My son is a teacher and he would like any of these.
Those planner stickers are beautiful. I’d like to get a pack. Thanks for posting!
I had a couple of favorite teachers when I was young over 50 years ago. I don’t know if they are still with us?! They were tough but fair and that’s what I admired. I have given gifts to my kids’ teachers when they were young. It was nothing big. Cookies, box of candy, flowers – I didn’t think about gift cards. My youngest graduated high school 16 years ago. Of course, gift cards are a great idea! Thank you for sharing the stickers!
I think gift cards are an awesome idea! Teachers seem to spend so much of their own money on their classrooms throughout the year.
I know if I were a teacher, I would appreciate just about everything I received to show that I was appreciated! And that I taught my school kids something useful and important!
I hadn’t heard of back-to-school gifts, but it’s a nice idea!
My favorite teacher was a nun I had in 4th grade. My daughter in law is a 1st grade teacher. The teachers love receiving gift cards like to Target, Starbucks local restaurants etc
My favorite teacher was Ms. Davis and she was my 5th grade teacher. She was always so nice and went the extra mile to help you! My son had a great teacher last year and I got her some of your suggestions.
My son is a special education teacher. He would like to receive any of these as gifts.
These are great ideas. I am sure any teacher would appreciate it!
The teacher’s favorite flavors of tea, coffee, &/or cocoa also make great gifts.
You can’t have too many planning stickers and disinfecting wipes at hand!
My favorite teacher was a nun I had in 4th grade. She always smiled and encouraged me in my shyness. My daughter in law is a teacher and the teacher’s love gift cards whether for a place like Starbucks or Target or any teacher store .
These are great gift ideas for teachers! My kids used to give their teachers items such as magnets, coffee mugs, and notebooks.