Easy, Last Minute, & Inexpensive Teacher Christmas Gifts

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)

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!

Other Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers

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Easy, Last Minute, & Inexpensive Teacher Christmas Gifts