Gifts Teachers Actually Want

Show your child's teacher they are truly valued and appreciated in a practical way that they'll love with these ideas for Gifts Teachers Actually Want.

It’s almost time for school to start up again (yes, already!), which means it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school gifts for teachers! Unfortunately, it’s no longer really appropriate to send your child back to school with an apple for their teacher. But fortunately for me, and now for you, when I was growing up, BOTH of my parents were teachers. Because of this, I have some unique insight into which gifts teachers love to receive (and what gifts they could do without). So, no need to stress. Just check out these Gifts Teachers Actually Want to make sure your child starts off the new school year on the right foot!

4 Gifts Teachers Actually Want

Gift Cards:

Gift cards are pretty great for every occasion, and back-to-school gifts for teachers is no exception! It takes some stress out of picking a gift, and your child’s teacher will still get exactly what they want.

Kids can be exhausting, so a gift card to a coffee shop is a no-brainer. Just keep in mind that not everyone is a coffee drinker. So, if you plan to go this route, make sure the store sells something other than coffee as well.

There are also plenty of stores that cater specifically to teachers. If you can find one nearby, consider getting a gift card there. If you can’t locate one, a gift card to a craft store (or any store that sells school supplies year-round) would work just as well.

If you’re going to go this route, don’t give the teacher a gift card that has already been used (seems obvious, but it happens surprisingly often!). Also, while it’s certainly not necessary or expected to spend a bunch of money on a teacher gift, make sure that the amount you give makes sense for the store it’s for. A gift card for $5 goes a lot farther at a dollar store than it does at a fancy restaurant.

Something to Write With:

Teachers go through writing utensils like most people go through air. Grading, daily lesson plans, and forgetful students all contribute to the regular disappearance of things to write with. Because of this, teachers love to get new writing utensils to add to their stash.

Red pens are probably the most obvious gift choice here, as teachers tend to use these the most often. However, if your child is still young, it might be more fun to give the teacher colorful permanent marker pens. Lots of teachers (especially those who teach younger students) prefer to grade with these to switch things up and keep things colorful. And even if they do use red pens to grade, there are a million things that teachers can use permanent marker pens on (e.g. name tags, labeling supplies, and personalizing their classroom décor). Pencils (standard or mechanical) and black or blue pens are also great gifts to give in this category.

Make this gift look a little cuter by taking them out of the package and tying them together with a ribbon. You can also give the teacher a travel cup or mug and place the writing utensils inside of it as another easy and cute way to “wrap” your gift (in fact, one of my parents said that the best back-to-school gift they’ve ever gotten was a travel cup with stickers and marker pens inside!).

Something to Sanitize With:

Kids of all ages are notoriously messy. Now imagine spending your weekdays in a room with 30 of them, and it should be no surprise at all that teachers want, and need, products to keep all of those germs at bay.

A pack of wet wipes is a super simple, yet super appreciated, gift in this category. You can find them pretty much anywhere, and your child’s new teacher would have a million uses for them.

A small bottle of hand sanitizer is also a great, useful gift. This can be a bit more fun because you can personalize the color and scent. However, unless you know the teacher personally, it might be safer to stick with something unscented; your child’s teacher might have allergies.

If you want to add a little something extra, a small bottle of unscented hand lotion would go perfectly with either of these gifts. All that sanitizing can really dry out the hands!

Something Personal:

Most teachers chose their career because they love making a difference in children’s lives. Because of this, receiving simple, handmade gifts from their students can totally make their day! However, try to stay away from gifts that include your child’s picture. As adorable as your child is, most teachers will teach over a thousand students throughout their career. If they displayed a picture of everyone they've taught, pictures would be the only thing in their house!

Instead, opt for a super simple homemade card from your child that says how much they can’t wait to be in this teacher’s class. This option is great if you’re on a budget because your child can use materials you already have at home, and the teacher will love to hear how excited your child is. It will also make a lasting impression. My parents still have all of the cards and notes students have given them throughout the years!

While, of course, every gift is appreciated for the thought behind it, these are sure to leave a lasting impression. Your child’s new teacher will spend the year working hard to help your child learn and grow as a person. These gift ideas will help you to show them just how excited you and your child are and how much you appreciate all that they will do in the coming year.

Do you have any more awesome teacher gift ideas? Share them in the comments!

Did you like these Gifts Teachers Actually Want ideas? Find more on my Back to School and Gift Ideas boards on Pinterest!

If you liked these Gifts Teachers Actually Want ideas, you might also like