Thoughtful Christmas Gifts Your Child’s Teacher Actually Wants

Finding a Christmas gift for a teacher that will appreciate and use is not an easy task. I’ve been teaching for fifteen years and over the years I have gotten a lot of gifts from students. I alway appreciate that families think to get me something for Christmas, even though I don’t really expect students to get me anything for Christmas. It’s nice to think that families are thinking of me and are happy that I am in their child’s lives. Because believe me, we teachers hear about it when families are not happy with us. And to be honest, we often don’t hear it when families are appreciative of teachers.

I know many might feel like a gift is obligatory, and it’s really not. Plenty of families don’t give us a single thing. So if you are trying to spend less, just too busy or whatever, it’s okay to skip buying a gift for your child’s teacher. A card will do. Because often the gifts we get are kind of repetitive and generic. I’m just grateful a family thought of me, but there are some gifts that I have gotten that have truly touched my heart and I considered especially thoughtful. I wanted to compile a list that I thought other teachers would appreciate and save you some time as well.

A Beautiful Christmas Card

One thing that every teacher would really appreciate is a Christmas card with a thoughtful note. I have actually kept notes and cards that families have given me where someone has taken the time to write a note. As I said above, all too often teachers only hear criticisms from families and seldom know about the families who are deeply grateful for us. Include that kind of personal message in a beautiful Christmas card, and you’ve likely made the teacher’s holiday special. This alone would be enough of a gift for me. This is probably the gift your child’s teacher will most appreciate.

Gift Card to Resturant

You wouldn’t have to put a ton of money on such a gift card. But it’s far more appreciated than a box of chocolates, a mug or a personalized water bottle. I mean, the first few personalized mugs and water bottles were cute. Now, I just have a cupboard full of water bottles with my name on it. However, the gift of food is always appreciated.

A Bottle of Wine

It might seen crass of me to say, but the gift of alcohol is also always appreciated. Wine is usually acceptable by all, and it will certainly be appreciated during the holiday season. I love it when I’m gifted wine. I can enjoy it with family or just with a lovely meal at home.

Gift Card to Book Store

As a book worm, I love it when I get gift cards to book stores. I don’t personally chose to spend it on my classroom, but many teachers do. A gift card to the book store helps stock the classroom library, which can supplement the school library. So such a gift is one that is appreciated by teachers.

A Potted Plant

A lot of teachers chose to keep plants in their classroom. It might be because they love plants, but also because plants are good for your mental health as they bring in a bit of the natural world to the indoors. So an easy to care for plant, like a snake plant would be appreciated. Even the teacher brings the plant home, that’s still likely a gift that is appreciated.

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Pens, Sticky Notes, NotePads

Can teachers have enough of this stuff? Not really. Stickies often get distributed during lessons, I use them to write quick notes to other teachers to place in their mailboxes, and for reminders to myself. Pens are always useful to have around by the dozen as there are many times throughout the day when we need to scribble down something for ourselves or a student. Like how to spell “their, they’re, there”. So this kind of gift is one that I would love to get. I also just love writing materials.

A Gift of Tea or Coffee

Caffeine fuels more teachers than sleep does. Which is bad, but it is a truth. So generally the gift of coffee or tea is always appreciated. A gift card to the big chain coffee shop (Tim Hortons, Starbucks etc) is great, but I personally like to make my tea at home in the morning instead of dragging myself through the drive through. So a nice package of tea is what I’d love to get. And be sure you know what the teacher drinks–have your child be sneaky and question the teacher or do the questioning yourself casually. There is nothing worse for the tea drinker than getting coffee.

Final Thoughts

Again, you don’t have to get your child’s teacher anything. But it is a nice gesture, especially if you avoid the highly given gifts like candles, mugs, and chocolate. I mean a little chocolate is good. But one year I brought home enough chocolate to last me until March Break and that was…excessive. Do know that whatever you get your child’s teacher, it truly is the thought that counts, but if you are looking to be original or to gift something a teacher will really love and appreciate, I don’t think you could go wrong with any of the above ideas.

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