I’ve put together an EPIC Holiday Gift Guide for teachers that will save you tons of time this holiday season! After chatting with a bunch of our lovely teachers, I’ve taken their thoughts and organized them into a list that will help you in your planning.
Follow the suggestions in this Teacher Holiday Gift Guide, and you’re bound to leave a lasting impression! Your child’s teacher will remember you all for years to come!
NOTE: I will be adding to this list regularly as new ideas come in from our wonderful community.
Let’s face it, this year’s been an especially tough one, and teachers have been struggling to get through each day. A thoughtful gift can sure go a long way and really touch the hearts of our hard-working educators.
Remember, gifts don’t have to cost a lot. Teachers are generally more touched by the thought and care that goes into them, rather than the monetary value.
Let’s get right to it then! Drum roll please….
This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through an Amazon link, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I have personally used or have done thorough research on for quality assurance.
Holiday Gift Guide: Sentimental Gifts
Teachers LOVE gifts that create memories and come from the heart. A kind and thoughtful gesture resonates with teachers for years to come.
A Kind Note to the Teacher or Principal
You know what REALLY brings tears of joy to a teacher’s eyes? Kindness. Honestly, a simple card, note, or even email to the teacher and/or school principal is a fantastic way to acknowledge and appreciate your child’s teacher. There’s nothing like positive feedback – to be acknowledged for your hard work, generosity, and care for your students.
A Picture Book With a Handwritten Message
I just LOVE this idea from Michele, who’s been teaching in Vancouver for about 13 years.
Michele’s absolute favorite gift from her students is a picture book with a handwritten message inside. Not only does she remember this for years, but she also gets to add these books to her classroom library, so BONUS!
Here’s what Michele had to say about this gift idea:
“I honestly love when my students give me a picture book to use in class and with my library. They usually write a message, which makes it special. And I always acknowledge who gave me the book, years after when I read it to my class. It’s the best gift. It’s super useful, it’s easy to store, and it saves me from buying books!”
Book Suggestions: Books About Teachers
Win your teacher’s heart with a book about them! Here are some great suggestions from our teaching community:
A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
Teacher’s Rock! by Todd Parr
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
An A From Miss Keller by Patricia Polacco
Book Suggestions: Classic Picture Books
Everyone loves a good, classic picture book. I’ve been reading some awesome ones to my little girls lately, and it’s so nostalgic – really brings me back to my childhood.
Here are some popular, timeless picture books guaranteed to make your teacher smile:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone
Pete the Cat: I love my White Shoes by Eric Litwin
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Holiday Gift Guide: Teacher Self-Care Gifts
Our wonderful teachers have been DESPERATE for some self-care time, especially during a year like this one! Anything that can help them feel relaxed and nurtured will definitely be appreciated, trust me.
With the amount of time and energy our amazing educators put into their students and their families, there’s not much left for some much-needed self-care.
And remember, a HEALTHY teacher can provide SO much more to their students than an overwhelmed, exhausted teacher!
Essential Oils
A great way for teachers to unwind after a long, exhausting day is to add their favorite essential oils to their diffuser while relaxing in a nice, warm bubble bath (or just lying in bed…).
I’ve found a brand that I REALLY like, and I have my favorite scents, depending on my mood or needs for that day (or time of day…).
For instance, I love the citrus scents for the mornings when I need that fresh, crisp, energizing boost! In the evenings, or on days when I’m particularly anxious, I go for calming scents like lavender or Adaptiv.
Luckily, my sister-in-law, Jacquie, is my go-to person for these awesome oils. I highly recommend ordering through her. You are welcome to join her exclusive Facebook Group so you don’t miss out on epic BOGO events and other deals. (Fun fact: Jacquie was actually part of my inspiration for becoming a teacher! She’s a beautiful soul who gives her ALL to the people around her – her students, her family, her neighbors, even strangers!)
Otherwise, you could always grab a set from Amazon or your local aromatherapy shop.
Favorite Snacks
Let’s just say everything chocolate is probably safe lol!
Ferrero Rocher is always a safe bet.
Lindt is another quality brand that’s still affordable.
You could also go for a gourmet box of chocolates to change it up a bit!
Workout Equipment
Let’s face it, going to the gym just isn’t always in the books, especially during a global pandemic…
I used to always try to make it a goal to get to the gym at least a couple times per week, but now with the crazy changes in our world, I’ve developed a really good system for working out at home.
At first, I was trying to just use objects around the house to do my workouts, but my arms, wrists, and back started to hurt, so I made the BEST decision ever, and hooked myself up with a few simple workout accessories.
Here’s what I suggest:
Most importantly, a good yoga mat is the foundation of an at-home workout space. Once I got a proper mat, it’s been so easy to do my movements standing, sitting, kneeling, or lying down, without my joints getting sore.
Here’s a nice, thick mat that would work well:
A simple, light set of dumbbells go a long way! Honestly, such a game changer when it comes to home workouts.
A pair of wrist or ankle weights are also an easy way to increase a simple workout.
A set of exercise bands is another easy way to add resistance to a home workout. These ones are super affordable and can easily be added to a gift pack for your child’s teacher.
Experiences
Believe it or not, teachers LOVE to unwind and relax too lol! As much as they love teaching, they also need time to chill out. A gift card to a local restaurant, nail salon, or spa would be received with full gratitude, believe me!
Holiday Gift Guide: Classroom Supplies
We all know that teachers go over and above…like ALL the time. This means spending their OWN money on things to set up their classrooms in a way that is best for their students. Teachers are givers by nature, supplying their students with things that make their learning environment fun, meaningful, and enjoyable.
This year, in particular, has also been filled with CHANGE, which means many teachers have been teaching remotely, at least part time.
There are some awesome tools that can help teachers smooth out the remote learning process.
An adjustable computer stand is a lifesaver when it comes to neck and back pain from staring at a screen so much.
An ergonomic mouse is super helpful in preventing hand soreness and stiffness.
A comfortable chair would also be an amazing gift for your teacher! You could always pool together with other parents to get a larger gift like this. In the years I’ve taught, I can tell you that I RARELY see a teacher equipped with a proper chair.
Holiday Gift Guide: Teaching Resources
Every teacher could use a quality, comprehensive teaching resource package to make their days run smoothly! Now, more than ever, teachers are looking for DIGITAL math resources they can use for remote learning, as well as in-person learning.
Here are some well-loved digital math resources that teachers have been RAVING about.
Here’s what Rachel had to say about the 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Complete Curriculum Bundles…She ended up grabbing both bundles so she could easily differentiate learning for her students…
I teach students in second grade. Once this crazy year started I realized I needed slightly lower level material for my second grade learners. I had already purchased the full 2nd grade curriculum from Jess, so I knew I needed the first grade one. These slides have LEGIT SAVED MY LIFE during distance learning so far. These slides make planning and teaching so easy. I never have to stress over my math lessons and homework now! I am so so thankful for Jess and her resources!!!!!!! –A VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER
Here are the links to the 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Complete Curriculum Bundles, in case you want to WOW your teacher with some stress-free digital teaching resources! If you purchase one of these, you can easily email the confirmation to them so they can download it straight to their device!
I hope these ideas help you find the perfect gift for your child’s teacher!
Remember, it’s the THOUGHT that counts the most. With all the time that educators put in (and I mean A LOT of their personal time too), it always feels nice to know a student family has put in a bit of effort and thought into making their teacher feel loved and appreciated.
Thanks so much for stoppin’ by today!
Hope to see you again soon 🙂
Jess @ Savvy Apple
“Don’t worry, be Savvy!”
Check out 5 Top Teacher Self-Care Ideas for more tips!
Also: Amazon Best Sellers List of Teachers: Teacher Favorites
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