Holiday gifts for teachers are a challenge. If your child has many teachers, it’s difficult to find a personalized gift for each that is both affordable and valued. For me, as a teacher, I am always happy with a gift certificate that works anywhere but there are time-proven gifts that don’t sound like “money”.
Most popular gifts
When I chat with teacher friends, here are the most popular gifts they’ve gotten over the years. Many are free and others allow you to spend only what you can afford while still giving a gift the teacher will love.
Compliments to the Administration
Happy parents often forget to share their joy with the teachers’ administrators. Too often, Principals hear from parents only when they’re angry about the teacher or some class activity. Providing unsolicited good news about the teacher’s effectiveness is a wonderful treat for both the teacher and the school’s administrators.
A Thank You Letter
Handwrite a note to the teacher telling them how much you and your child appreciate what they do. There’s little more valuable to a teacher than the acknowledgment from stakeholders that their efforts are appreciated.
Tech Help
While many teachers are comfortable with a computer, some aren’t. If you know your way around a computer, iPad, or Chromebook, offer to help your favorite teacher with either training, debugging, or problem-solving. This can be in person, through a remote connection, or virtually with a program like Google Meet or Zoom.
Gift Cards
While this feels impersonal, it is a great gift. Let teachers use them on whatever they need most, often something you wouldn’t have thought of. Gift cards can be used in the physical store or online, as a general card like an American Express or MasterCard Gift Card, available for use wherever that card is taken, or store-specific like a movie theatre or Amazon. Gift Cards are one of my favorite gifts because I enjoy them for months afterward.
A Gift from Teacher Wish List
It’s popular for teachers to have an online wish list of teaching materials they need. You may remember these from Scholastic books or back-to-school supplies. They’ve grown up and now cover all kinds of teaching and classroom resources. Take the time to find out if your teacher is registered online with an organization. Or help them do this.
World Peace
I have no idea how to give this. I’d start with Baby Steps:
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- take deep breaths instead of blowing up the next time you get angry. One less confrontation in your day and that of Whoever Caused It. A little more peace. Cost: $0
- give a friend–or a stranger–something they need that you don’t. How do you know what that is? Listen. Pay attention to what is going on around you. Ask. Cost: $0
- be kind when you can. Be kind when it’s difficult. Be kind when it seems impossible. That doesn’t me be a doormat. You understand the difference. Cost: $0
Most Unpopular Gifts
Wondering what to avoid? This list curated from online “worst teacher gift” sites rarely changes over the years. I searched it this year and it’s pretty similar to last year. It’s worth noting I have received all of these and actually liked them, so take this list with a grain of salt:
- candles (teachers got their fill of these their first few years teaching)
- mugs (like candles, teachers have plenty of these)
- bath products
- personalized items
- homemade stuff
- booze
Remember: You don’t have to give gifts. Often, a heartfelt greeting or holiday card is as meaningful as a bar of expensive soap or a holiday ornament for the tree. One of my favorite gifts was a framed Thank You to me from a student. I displayed that for years, until I retired and now it has a place of honor in my home office.
Whatever you give, make it from your heart, with your love, and carrying a personal meaning.
Want more ideas for holiday gifts? Check these articles out:
Best Gifts for Teachers--from We Are Teachers
30 Best Teacher Gifts--from Good Housekeeping
28 Best Gifts for Teachers--from Better Homes and Gardens
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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
