Hi, friends! It truly hasn’t hit me yet that our girls will start school in less than two weeks. I’m totally not ready to let go of summer, but I am excited for them to go and meet new friends and learn. I am going to be sharing a few fun items that we are gifting their teachers on the first day. Teachers are heroes in my opinion. I like to work with them as partners, and support them with whatever resources me energy level and budget allow (supplies, treats, volunteering, etc.). The girls have two teachers each, so, in lieu of individual gifts, I’m making joint teacher baskets for each classroom. For more ideas, feel free to check out last year’s school baskets in THIS post.
I did a huge teacher poll on Instagram, and out of hundreds of responses the #1 favorite gift teachers loved was gift cards. Personalized gifts, handwritten notes and artwork were next on the list (although gift cards still dominated BY FAR). Things teachers said time and time again that they didn’t enjoy receiving: MUGS(this was the most popular answer, by far), candles, perfume/cosmetics, and handmade baked goods.
I want to preface this post by saying THESE GIFTS ARE EXTRAS. If you don’t have the energy and/or the budget for teacher gifts, you’re still a fantastic parent, and your kiddo will rock this school year. It is important that this is more about sentiment than it is about spending. The basket is comprised a few affordable ideas, that can be gifted together, or as inspo to pick and choose. Feel free to save this post as a resource for Teacher Appreciation Week as well. My hope is it will save you some time, as you look to treat your child’s educators.
Also, be sure to download our FREE Teacher Survey, to give to your child’s teacher. They fill out all of their favorite things. This made it a breeze when it came time for things like the Teacher Appreciation Week and the holidays. I am someone who cant stand to gift people things they dont/want need, so I love the idea of catering your intention around things teachers actual want.
Woven Baskets are an in-store Marshalls find, but I was able to find one that is the exact same material and close in size HERE. I love that the baskets are a reusable part of the gifting.
I’ve numbered each of the ideas/products. Just click on the highlighted title, and you’ll be directed to the affiliate link. As always, thank you for your support, and allowing me to bring in income for our family through these links.
1. School Supply Decorated Cookies & Trail Mix
How precious are these school supply cookies! I saw them and immediately had to snag them, as I know the quality and taste have always been fantastic. These are perfect for classes with multiple teachers in them. If you’re looking for a more cost friendly option, Target has the cutest pencil shaped decorated cookies for $1.99 HERE.
The trail mix bags are not only a personal favorite, but a quick and filling snack teachers can grab during short breaks.
2. Gift Cards
I polled a TON of teachers from different schools, states, and grade levels, and SO many of them said they love to receive gift cards. I usually stick with gift cards to Target, Amazon, and Starbucks. Or if I know of a specific restaurant or shop they enjoy, I’ll add one in from there. I typically buy the $10 Starbucks multi-packs so I have them on hand throughout the school year.
The adorable printable I paired the gift card with is from ThreadMama.com, along with the tag I clipped to the front of the basket. I downloaded the Back to School collection, uploaded it to Staples.com and picked up the prints in-store. You could also use an at-home printer.
You could even jazz up the gift card with the most adorable pencil shaped gift card holder. It comes with the cutest little notebook paper gift tag. Snag 1 or a set of 4 HERE.
3. Coffee/Drinks
I feel like with all of the running around that they do, especially on the first day of school, there isn’t much time to grab a drink in there. I think that gifting a teacher a drink is a really intentional and inexpensive thing to do. You could ask them for their favorite ahead of time, get water, an energy drink, or even stop by Starbucks to bring them an iced coffee (okay, one for you too).
I went with the large Starbucks Cold Brew Concentrate, as an option that would last for a few drinks, and could be customized for their preferred strength. Last year I did individual Starbucks Frappuccino Vanilla Chilled Coffee Drinks ($3)
Mom Hack: I love gifting Starbucks gift cards, because they’re actually pretty versatile. If the educator doesn’t like coffee, they can get tea, a fun frappuccino, a quick snack/breakfast, or bakery item.
4. 3D Apple Note Pads
Y’all, these Apple Note Pads might even take the place of my beloved Apple Post-It dispensers from last year. I love that they fold and expand into 3D paper apples–allowing teachers to grab a slice of paper whenever needed.
5. Flair Pens
A cult classic!! So, I try not to gift teachers ONLY supplies on the first day or for special events like Teacher’s Appreciation Week. Just because, while I know they are much appreciated, those things are more tools for them to teach, and therefore classroom gifts. I do try and send a few items in like expo markers, the infamous flair pens, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and extra tissues. I know these items tend to come out of their own pockets, and they run out often. Consider asking your teacher often if they need these or any extras throughout the school year.
6. Handwritten Note
I like to drop teacher’s a line just to say hello, and to let them know that I am excited for a fresh school year. I like to emphasize that I am happy to help out, and to reach out if she ever needs volunteers. I got the cutest “From Raegan/Zarie/Xander’s Mom stationery (HERE), but obviously any note paper works just fine. I have heard so many times from teachers that parent appreciation goes a long way.
Free Teacher Gift Ideas:
I want to close out this post with mentioning again that teacher gifting (and really any gifting) is rooted in sentiment. I also know it has been a HARD year, and we don’t always have the space in our budget for these extras. Here are a few free things you can offer up to your child’s teacher this year:
- Offer to come read to the class. No visitors allowed? Record yourself reading and send it to your teacher to play for the classroom.
- Volunteer to create the monthly classroom newsletter
- Volunteer for anything. Be proactive and ask if you’re needed.
- Donate any extra items you may already have like snacks and pencils.
- Donate books your children have outgrown to the library.
- Join and participate in the PTA program.
- Ask the teacher if there are household items like paper towel rolls and oatmeal cans that you can collect throughout the year for crafts.
I hope this helps, friends! I will be sharing some up close video/stories of these items over on Instagram. You can find all of my back-to-school shares in my highlight there. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them below! I pray you have a beautiful school year ahead.
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