Teacher Gifts for the New School Year

With the new school year fast approaching, moms have a lot to worry about to start their kids on the right foot, from school supplies, new clothes, and packed lunches to creating a study space at home for homework and online classes. Something else to think about is a teacher gift. After homeschooling kids for a month due to COVID-19 closing schools, everyone has a new appreciation for teachers! They deserve more than the quintessential first-day apple this year!

I know, I know, this just added more work to your school-prep list. Don’t sweat it! We’ve put together these easy and eye-popping teacher gift ideas to help you out. Print these cute gift tags and start making a gift for the teachers in your life! Remember, it’s not about the gift; it’s about showing appreciation for a very thankless job. I know I was not cut out to be with tiny humans all day, every day. Your teacher is a hero and needs to be celebrated!

CARDS

Write a Letter/Thank You Card

Even if your child cannot write, you can help them write a nice thank you note to your teacher. It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate, just a little note of gratitude.

Draw/Paint a Picture

This is a great option for smaller kids. They can draw a picture of the teacher in her classroom, or use finger paint and make hand-print flowers.

Gift Cards

Gift cards are always a great gift idea for any occasion. Gift your teacher a gift card for coffee or smoothies. After all, they need all the energy possible to keep up with kids that have been cooped up in quarantine for so long.

DIY BASKETS

Self-Care Basket

Grab a small round basket and fill it with some spa-like items. A nice candle, bath salts, bath bombs, loofahs, and more!

Gardening Basket

Do you know that your teacher loves gardening? Why not give them a basket dedicated to their favorite pastime? Just grab a wire basket and fill it up with some goodies like gloves, seed packets, tools, and don’t forget to take care of their hands! Add a touch of self-care with lotions and potions! Any gardener would be thrilled to receive this basket.

Small Supply Holders

Think of all the little miscellaneous items teachers use every day: paperclips, erasers, stickers, push-pins and they all need a home. Instead of shoving them in a drawer to get lost, get your teacher a small canister jar filled with these and a simple “Thank You” note attached. Teachers can then showcase these items and decorate their desks at the same time.

Food for Thought

Food is always the best gift. The next two schoolteacher gifts focus on everyone’s love language. Grab yourself a clear bin and fill it with different kinds of food. Everyone loves the movies – do a movie inspired bin and fill it with popcorn, seasoning salts, and popcorn containers. If you are feeling wild – throw in a gift card for some movie tickets too!

An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away. Or at least, this basket filled with apples will keep little Johnny in good spirits with the teacher. Fresh fruit is a great gift. Head to your local grocery store or favorite farmers stand and pick out the best seasonal available fruit, throw it in a wire basket, add a cute, punny gift tag “If teachers were apples, I’d pick you!” and call it a day. No need to get super fancy, it’s the thought that counts.

Spa Time

My love language is touch. I love anything to do with the spa, plus teachers are constantly washing their hands and touching things all day. Create a mini spa oasis with our clear bins, soap pumps, or small round baskets. Add in some good smelling soap, lotion, essential oils, hand sanitizer, nail file or nail polish and you got the perfect teacher gift. During this stressful time taking time for mental health is more important than ever. No need to head out to grab these items, you can order them online and have them shipped to your home or do store pick up.

Whatever you decide, this truly is a case of “it’s the thought that counts.” Your teachers will appreciate the effort and acknowledgement of the time, energy, and effort they put in everyday to teach our kids. They are molding the minds of future generations for the better and deserve tons of praise!

THANK YOU TEACHERS!

Check out our full Back to School blog series for more inspiration.

Chelsea McCulley is the Digital Asset Manager at mDesign
and an avid reader and Jane Austen fan.

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