The holiday season is approaching! At the end of the year, many parents want to prepare gifts for their kids’ teachers to express their appreciation for the teachers’ dedicated, fruitful, and heartful effort. If you do not have any idea yet, this article listed more than 50 gifts ideas for teachers according to the teachers themselves, what they like most and least. I hope that helps parents like you and me.
Related Reading:
- 10 Practical Gift Idea for Primary School Teacher
- Room Parent Feedback – Parents Involvement in Primary School
Table of Contents
The Psychological Reasons for Giving and Receiving Gifts – 5 Languages of Appreciation
Perhaps you already know the book “The Five Love Languages®” by Dr. Gary Chapman. He also wrote another book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace,” to help people understand and encourage their coworkers, teammates, volunteers – in meaningful ways. In a simple word, how to express and receive appreciation.
When you want to express appreciation, there are 5 ways:
- Words of Affirmation – communicate with positive message to another person e.g. conversation, letter, note, email, public affirmation etc. It is also depends the way the another person likes. In the parents – teacher relationship, a card or letter with warm words, a vedio clip of all the fun moments together,
- Quality Time – giving someone your undivided attention like quality conversation, experience sharing, working on project together. The intention of quality time is to create a safe environment for sharing achievements, frustrations, and suggestions.
- Acts of Service – actions speak louder than words when people pitch in to help. For example, you help the teacher in Xmas dinner plan, school excursion, musical show etc. Make sure you are assisting with something the person wants assistance with, and complete the task to their specifications with a positive attitude (not looks like suffering). And, of course, complete what you begin.
- Tangible Gifts – thoughtful and meaningful gift, especially during the end of year, holiday season, a milestone or others.
- Physical Touch – a high five, a pat on the back, a appropriate hug can communicate meaningful appreciation if desired and appropriately given.
Everyone has a different appreciation language rankings, Though we will accept Appreciation in any of the five languages, but the appreciation expressed in our primary appreciation language inspires us the most. Also, we frequently give appreciation in the same way that we would like to be given it. However, sometimes, our admiration falls flat because it is the least appreciated of a person’s five languages. For example, people who rank “Receiving Gifts” low on their love language list may find presents stressful.
In the past years, we have seen the difference reaction of teachers while we are giving gifts. One express how much she likes the gift and the other told us how she likes the card messages. Once we were chatting with our judo teacher, he even said he prefers cash over gift card (if it is allowed), because he always forgot the expire date and could not use it anymore.
The Principle of Gift Ideas for Teachers
The best teachers gifts are heartfelt and pragmatic. We wish they can use the gits daily instead of burden or ended in trash after a few days. Moreover, you also need to check the school policy for the price limit, or you can pool resources from multiple parents or families.
We have talked about what they want and need with more than ten teachers and room parents who have experience receiving and giving gifts, from music teachers to physics teachers. Also, we listed the gifts that teachers do not like. Some of them will surprise you! Let’s start with the selections!
The Gift that Teachers Do NOT Like
When we talk with teachers, their dilemma for the least appreciated gift is typically following two categories, either they already have it, even too many, or it is too personal.
a. They already have the gifts
1. Coffee Mug with “the best teacher in the world.”
One of the teachers told us, “I have more than 30 best teacher mugs literally, and cannot give to anyone else as a gift. So they are just sitting in my cupboard. I feel sorry when I see all the unused mugs”.
2. More than one Flower Bouquet
“To receive one is excellent, but more bouquets at the same time are not a good idea. They will end up in the trash after one or two weeks. It is beautiful in the room but not that useful.” From an experienced teacher. Some parents choose to give plants as gifts, but it also depends on whether the teacher likes plants or has extra space at home or office.
3. Sweets (Biscuits, cake, candy, etc.)
Halloween is not far gone, and there is still lots of candy in everyone’s house. Often, people will consume lots of sugar during the holiday season. Let’s be healthy like we teach our kids!
b. Too Personal Gift
4. Perfumes, Make-Ups, and After Shave Products
Everyone has their favorite and suitable beauty products. You can give them as a gift only when familiar with them. Otherwise, it will be a waste of money and effort.
5. Jewelry and Clothes
The challenge with jewelry and clothes is not only too personal but also could be too pricey. Then the teacher will doubt if it falls in the grey area of school policy. Moreover, we have already written an article about waste in the clothes industry. It is more environmentally friendly to give the teacher something else if they do not like the clothes and cannot recycle them.
6. Homemade Food
Homemade food seems nice unless you know their taste, allergy, and whether they are vegetarian. Also, they probably do not know how to re-cook it and how many minutes to warm it up. It is good to bring your homemade food for the potluck event instead of as a gift.
The Gift that Teachers Love
So, now we know the teachers do not so welcome some classic gifts. Then what are the gifts that they like?
We also summarized the favorite gifts for the following categories:
a. The gifts that never go wrong
1. Thank you card
You can write a thank you card with drawings and a short story with kids. What exactly should you write about? The key is to include specifics. Tell a story about something your child said about the teacher, a major skill or idea they refined with your child, or a quirky and delightful aspect of the class that your family enjoys. With a letter like this, you will make the teacher’s day… and they will treasure it for years to come. The stories will become part of the good memories that stay with you and the teacher.
2. Gift card
Related Reading:
- Top 10 High Paid Jobs for Women Career Consideration [2022]
- 12 Jobs That Benefit Both Motherhood and Career in 2022
- Raise a Child in the U.S. and Netherlands in 2022 – the Average Cost Comparison ($300k vs $100k)
Speaking about salary, we know that teaching is not the best occupation. One of the most appreciated gift ideas is gift cards from Amazon, bookstores, apple stores, etc. The teachers can use the gift card to purchase things they like or need.
The range from gift card is $20 to $50. Depending on your circumstances, you may give more or less, but you do not go over the top. If you can’t afford to give anything, a handwritten note or card will always be welcomed!
3. Canvas bag
Teachers need many bags to carry various office or school stationery. Therefore canvas bag is always a good option. Printing or drawing nice pictures on the bag is also meaningful.
4. Office stationery
Pen, paper, electrical pencil sharpeners, bullet journals, most teachers love these products, especially the ones that help in the teaching process.
5. Hygiene products or candles
Soap, shampoo, conditioner, home care fragrances products, etc., are popular and more general for people’s usage. Candles are also excellent, as they are the perfect match for night reading time. Normally people do not have a high preference on the smell of these products.
6. Class as a whole
Some teachers feel awkward about accepting personal gifts but more ecstatic about helping a school that will directly benefit students. Then you can reach out other parents to put the gift money together. For example, with the collection of money, parents can donate to buy books for the school library. Or help a teacher set up an ergonomic sit-stand desk after communicating with the teacher or school. This is a fantastic way to help the teacher feel valued while emphasizing that the gift is not an attempt to play the teacher’s pet. We recommend this approach when considering larger gifts, as it also helps to spread the cost and prevents the item being seen as too ostentatious for one person to provide.
b. The personalized gifts
After you get familiar with the teacher, you can prepare more personal gifts for them.
1. Food – Coffee, Tea, Wine, Spanish Jamon
Coffee and tea can be an option when you know what the teacher likes to drink. I also want to give the gift package of Spanish Jamon and Italian Salami etc.
2. Accessories – Brooch and Scarf
You can also give some personal accessories like brooch and scarf.
3. Home usage
If you decide to give the gift to other parents, you can buy a more expensive gift such as a table lamp, candle warmer, or lovely tea set.
Gift for music teachers
Since I have two musical students at home, we have developed quite some experience with music teachers. Here are some gifts with melodic elements, including canvas bags, office stationery, notebook cooking tools, socks, clocks, blankets, etc. Since we went for private lessons, we naturally know the teacher quite well.
If you are unsure about the teacher’s taste, the general category is always suitable for all teachers.
Do I have to give the teacher gifts?
The simple answer is No. A gift is just a way of showing appreciation, and it is also very welcome if you have other means, like singing a song, writing a poem, or making a video for them. Besides, Gifts raise ethical, and fairness concerns as not every family can afford gifts. Sometimes, parents have expectations attached to the gift, for example, more attention for their kids.
Final Thoughts from Pragmatic Lifestyle
Keep Gifts Appropriate
No matter the occasion, it’s vital that gifts given by students are never too personal or inappropriate.
Add A Handmade Element
There’s nothing more thoughtful than a handmade card or wrapping paper to accompany your teacher’s gift. Not only is this a lovely touch, but it also lets your child get creative and be involved in the process too. What’s more, this adds a unique element to the present, which is sure to be appreciated. Why not set aside a couple of hours to get crafty and make creating the handmade addition a fun family activity?
Choose Something Personalized
Opting for a personalized gift gives plenty of scope for making the present a little out of the ordinary without drifting into the inappropriate. Personalized teacher gifts are always popular and are often cherished by teachers for years after they’re received.
About Me
Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials and possibilities with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.
