The Ultimate Guide to Gift Ideas for Teachers 

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we created the ultimate gift guide for teachers that can help you find the perfect gift all year long! Whether it’s the first day of school, a holiday, or simply because your child’s teacher is the best, we’ve got a fantastic gift idea to show your gratitude!   

If you’re going the extra mile to give something to a teacher, try these creative, thoughtful gift ideas your child’s teacher is sure to treasure.   

End-of-the-Year Gift Ideas for Teachers 

Gift Card 

While gift cards may not seem creative or heartfelt, an overwhelming number of teachers prefer gift cards over mugs or apples! A gift card to a local restaurant, movie theater, food delivery service, or Amazon is a great gift for teachers to use over the summer. Put it in a nice gift box to give the card an extra wow factor. 

Favorite Lesson 

Encourage your child to share what they learned with their teacher! For example, a music teacher watching a student successfully play a piece of music they learned in class is a priceless gift. Teachers love hearing what lesson impacted students the most—it reminds them that their hard work truly goes a long way.  

Holiday Gift Ideas for Teachers 

Hot Cocoa Kit 

Who doesn’t love a cup of hot chocolate during the cold holiday season? Treat your teacher with a DIY hot cocoa kit. You can make your own or purchase one from a store. All you need is a small gift basket, instant hot cocoa mix, and mini marshmallows. You can spice up the traditional hot cocoa experience with some peppermint candies or salted caramels, too.  

Cookie Tins 

Cookies are perfect to pair with hot cocoa or your teacher’s favorite holiday beverage. Purchase a tin of classic holiday cookies or make it a fun activity to bake a batch with your kiddos. Make sure to know what your teacher likes and label ingredients to make sure they’re safe for anyone who may want a bite. 

Graduation Gift Ideas for Teachers 

Plant With Thank You Note 

This gift is cute and inexpensive. You can purchase a succulent, potted flower, or an herb. The rest is simple! Get a ruler and print out an adorable sign to complete the package. Canva is a great and easy resource for developing fun tags and signs. If you want to add more to your gift, you can also put the plant inside a canvas tote. 

Give Back 

There’s no greater gift than the gift of time. You or your graduate can offer to return to the classroom and volunteer for future fundraisers, field trips, or other activities. You can also volunteer and donate to an organization dear to your teacher’s heart. Don’t forget to let them know you appreciate them and want to pay it forward. 

Small Gift Ideas for Teachers

Movie Night Kit 

Everyone enjoys a movie night with popcorn, candy, and a blockbuster hit. Give your teacher a night off from teaching with a streaming gift bundle. Go to your local dollar store and purchase popcorn, candy, and a popcorn bowl for a low cost. Then, purchase a gift card for a streaming service. MamaCheaps.com already did the hard work and put together a fun printable to complete the gift. 

Book and Bookmark 

All teachers can appreciate a good book and a bookmark! Your child can design one from cardstock, or you can pick a fun patterned one at the bookstore. Know what your teacher’s favorite genre is? Gift them a book they’ve been dying to read or that they can add to their library.  

Handmade Gift Ideas for Teachers 

Framed Quote  

The columnists behind the blog Eleven Magnolia Lane have a great printable that’s 100% free. The card has an inspirational message about teachers. Print out the printable, purchase a frame at your local department store, and you’ll have a sentimental gift that will be greatly cherished. 

Thank You Card 

Don’t underestimate the power of a personalized card! First, have your child write down their favorite memory with their teacher and why they appreciate them. Next, let them get creative and bring that memory alive. Hand them a pencil, crayons, and any other supplies they need to make their card extra special. 

First-Day Gift Ideas for Teachers 

Coffee Cup Sleeve 

Teachers love getting their morning started with a fresh cup of Joe! A coffee-related gift can be perfect for the start of the year. Your teacher may already have a reusable coffee mug, so purchase K-cups, a gift card to a local coffee shop, or a bag of coffee grounds to gift alongside a nifty coffee cup sleeve! The talented writer behind the blog I should be mopping the floor made the sleeve that will bring your gift together. 

School Supplies 

Every teacher appreciates extra help at the start of the school year, and it’s a simple way to say thanks. Oftentimes, teachers purchase materials for their classrooms at their expense, and they can run out of supplies midyear. Purchase an additional set of school supplies for your child’s classroom to help a teacher out. Pencils, erasers, paper, and other materials are always something a classroom can’t get enough of. 

These gift ideas are guaranteed to make your favorite teacher feel appreciated. Whether you choose to go big or small, your intention behind the gift is what matters. Happy gifting! 

To learn more about K12-powered online schools, go to K12.com.