Back To School Teacher Gift Ideas

Teachers in August are full of excitement and a bit of anxiety, much like our future kiddos. We have spent our summer recharging and reflecting in preparation for the upcoming school year. We’ve also put in hours of hard work to organize our classrooms, our curriculum, our lessons, and ourselves. We’re ready to love, teach, and grow your child. In fact, we’ve probably prepared a small gift to welcome him or her to our classroom. What better way to invite a positive parent/teacher/student partnership than a back-to-school teacher gift? Here are some thoughtful, yet easy-to-achieve gift ideas.

Personalized Cookie

On the first day of school last year, I received an apple-shaped cookie with Mrs. Maness written on it. I literally cried, “My name’s on a cookie!” As a woman obsessed with cookie decorating videos, I was elated! The same sweetie gave me a similar apple-shaped cookie with ‘thank you’ written on it for Teacher Appreciation Day. What a “sweet” way to say I can’t wait to share this school year with you!

Souvenir or Token

Going on a trip this summer? Take a little something back for the teacher who will spend her days and evenings caring for, and attending to the academic and emotional needs of, your dear one(s). Ideas include: sea glass from the beaches of Maine, postcard from Hollywood, pralines from New Orleans, a bear-shaped pen from Colorado, or maybe just some sand from the beaches of South Padre.

School Supplies

Nothing makes a teacher happier than Ticonderoga pencils, especially pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils. Honestly, pencils are the bane of a teacher’s existence. Please help lengthen the life span of your child’s teacher, and gift them these glorious pencils. Other school supplies teachers love? BOOKS, binder clips, dry erase markers, highlighters, clipboards, Post-its, Flair pens, Sharpies, Mr. Sketch smelly markers, etc. 

App Store Gift Card

An apple is a traditional teacher gift. How about bringing the apple into the 21st Century and gifting your child’s teacher an App(le) for the Teacher?! Educational apps are an extra expense that many teachers personally take on because they want engaging, academic activities for their kiddos. An App Store Gift Card is a great way to help them with this added classroom expense.

Something to Drink

With all of the state testing, paperwork, progress monitoring, conferences, and evaluations, some things that can get teachers through the stress of a school day include strong coffee, yummy slushes, and occasionally a stiff drink. Starbucks, Sonic, and liquor store gift cards are great gift ideas because they will never go unused. Trust me. Been there. Done that. 

Drinkware

Some may disagree, but this teacher absolutely loves receiving tumblers as gifts. I probably have way too many of them, but they always come in handy. In addition to the tumblers, I have also received cute drinking glasses over the years with sayings like ‘teachers cannot live on apples alone’ and ‘sip back and relax’. No matter what a teacher chooses to sip, personalized or adorable drinkware is a thoughtful and practical gift idea.

Hand Soap

Let’s face it–kids are breeding grounds for germs. Needless to say, hand soap is a classroom teacher’s BFF. The next time you’re in your favorite cosmetic retailer, consider purchasing some scented hand soap as a much-needed, always appreciated teacher gift. You can’t go wrong with calming scents such as lemon, lavender, or peppermint. Attach a tag with We’re in good hands with you for a lovely beginning of the year present.

Personalized Door Hanger

Crafting a personalized door hanger is a fun gift to make and give! Some options, ranging from easiest to more difficult: (1) Hot glue fake flowers and a painted, wooden letter to a grapevine wreath; (2) Add school-themed stickers and/or art to a large, wooden letter representing the last name of your child’s teacher; or (3) Decorate Styrofoam wreath with colorful tulle using How to Make a Tulle Wreath on YouTube.

Teacher Survival Kits

Help ready your child’s teacher with a Teacher Survival Kit! Choose a container–a cute basket, a colorful bucket, or a large cup. Fill it with items teachers “need” to survive the school year like school supplies, tissues, travel-sized bottle of Febreze, Emergen-C, gum, wet wipes, Chapstick, almonds, Tylenol. Also, no kit is complete without chocolate or caffeine. Best part? You can purchase pretty much everything from a dollar store!

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