My mom taught 7th graders for almost four decades so I grew up with a tremendous amount of appreciation for my teachers. The holidays are right around the corner. So, this post includes many teacher Christmas gift ideas (but really for any point of the year).
More specifically, this list covers the gifts teachers really want (by letting them choose!), inexpensive teacher appreciation gifts, and even gifts for male teachers.
We owe a lot to the teachers in our lives. I don't simply mean teachers behind classroom walls but all the teachers that have taken to walk some part of our life's journey, with us, teaching us, guiding us, mentoring us…think about those teachers who have impacted your story. Then come back to thinking about what to “gift” a teacher this holiday season. Make it meaningful. No regrets.
Teacher Christmas Gifts
How Much to Spend on Teacher Gift?
This question is a tough one and hardly reflects on your appreciation for the teacher or the sentiment. Furthermore, at the risk of sounding like my mother, the value of a gift is often not in the dollar amount but in the thought behind it.
With that said, my sons' school has a $50 limit, which is certainly significant. In the end, though, it is worth repeating that the value does not reflect on the dollar spent but on the time & thought spent.
There are oodles of inexpensive teacher gifts – DIY & otherwise!
Last Minute Teacher Gift Ideas
I won't lie. There are times during the year when time seems to have a hold of me. I cannot admit to forgetting teacher gifts but I can admit to losing track of time especially during the holiday season.
Suddenly on the eve of December 16th with one week left of school before holiday vacation, I am sitting here thinking about gifts for my son's Montessori teachers that don't involve a Starbucks gift card (guilty and that is okay0.
So, in order to help mitigate that panic state, I found a few gift ideas that just might interest some of you. Super simple. Sweet. Relatively inexpensive and easy to put together. Include your children in the gift making and gift-giving process. They will get a ton from the experience.
9 Last Minute Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas
- Homemade Pot Pourri
- DIY Ice Cream Sundae Kit: Just Add Ice Cream
- Hot Cocoa Mix in a Mug or Jar
- Share a Family Recipe on a Handwritten Recipe Card with Food (e.g. Make “Grandma's Cowboy Cookies” & Supply the Recipe)
- Interview your child about his teacher, print out, laminate and deliver in a frame
- Tea Wreath
- Donation in the teacher's name
- Crayon Monogram
- A Personal, Thoughtful Letter or Card of Appreciation from the Parents
DIY Teacher Gift Ideas
A few years ago I asked a group of teachers for holiday gift ideas. I asked specifically what kinds of gifts they enjoy receiving from their students. Hands down, respondents told me their favorite teacher appreciation gifts are heartfelt sentiments, a personal or handmade gift from the child, a letter from the child, and so on.
So, I went ahead and brainstormed teacher holiday gift ideas with my sons (mainly around which Lego set their teachers might enjoy…haha!).
We crafted a three-part teacher holiday gift which included:
- A personal note from my son however they wish to write or draw it
- Simple homemade hot cocoa mix in a mason jar
- A DIY ornament
The latter part of this teacher holiday gift idea is particularly great because the whole family will love making ornaments together. Seriously, get your creative juices going and have fun. This super simple holiday gift is perfect for your child's teacher, friends, neighbors, and your family tree. Enjoy and let me know how your ornaments turn out!
DIY Teacher Holiday Gift Ornament Materials
- A work tray
- 2×2 Mini Canvases
- Permanent Fabric Markers or paint pens
- Drying rack or tray
- Twine and Glue Gun (or a strong adhesive to secure the twine onto the canvas, or choose to use hardware to create a hook for hanging)
or paint pens
Approach to Making the DIY Ornament
- Gather your materials
- Invite the child to his work tray
- Introduce the concept and the materials
- Let him decorate however he chooses to do so
- Allow time to dry
- Warm-up your glue gun
- Cut your twine
- Place one end of the twine on one side of the canvas and glue
- Repeat with the other side
- Allow time to dry
- Write a message or name and date on the back
- Lay in a box on top of tissue paper with a handwritten note or drawing from your child
Teacher Gift Card Ideas
Amazon
The online superstore gives all of us a chance to research and buy practically anything you can possibly imagine. In this case, a teacher can shop for her classroom, herself, her family, or her home. Major flexibility!
JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store
I guarantee that every teacher in America shops at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. I will go further to say that he or she will greatly appreciate any amount of funds going towards their expenses.
Fandango
Going to the big screen is a treat these days! Spoil your child's teacher with a fun afternoon or evening at the movie theater popcorn and all.
Panera Bread
You can't really go wrong with Panera Bread! A great place to catch up on email and to grab a quick soup and sandwich. Comfort food at its best!
Spa Finder
You may know your child's teacher well enough to know that he or she loves self-care but rarely takes the time or money to do it. Spa Finder is wonderful because spas all around the country sign up and you can redeem the card in the spot of your choice!
Montessori Services
Every Montessori teacher I know typically shells out hundreds of dollars at several points of the school year for their classroom and their students. A gift card for a craft or supplies shop is always welcomed!!
PetCo
Does your child's teacher have a special pet in his life? Well, look no further! Moms and Dads love to spoil their pets!
Starbucks Gift Card
Okay, I admit I did go for the Starbucks gift card a few years back. Honestly, I felt terrible about it but at the end of the day, who doesn't like a fancy coffee or tea drink? Plus Starbucks does have some killer treats, too. So, don't knock it!
Montessori Inspired Printables
This is my shop! You can grab a gift card for that teacher in your mind and allow them to refresh or to build classroom materials.
are the best. We encountered these cards at a friend's home about a year ago. She was having a party and my sons needed a break. So we went exploring in the playroom. We found these cards and my sons (and me and my husband) were hooked on them. The cards allow such creativity and children are drawn to the illustrations. If you aren't into these cards, or already own them, these 
would be a great stocking stuffer. Kids are ready to use REAL tools. Introduce them gently with kid sized tools. If you aren't interested in the 
