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Be it Christmas or the end of the school year, that time is once more rapidly approaching. Once more it is time to deliberate whether you should buy the teacher a present. And if so, what do you buy? My gorgeous OH is a teacher, so with his help I’ve compiled these Teacher Gift Guide Ideas for Christmas or end of the school term or year.
*Disclosure – This is a collaborative post – for more details please see my Disclosure Policy
Teacher Gift Guide Ideas
Firstly, should you buy the teacher a present?
There should not be any obligation to do this. And it is not a competition. I know when I was a schoolchild it was not common for the teachers to receive presents from pupils. It seems to be a more recent phenomenon. So if you don’t wish or cannot afford to buy anything, then please do not feel obliged to do so. Nobody is keeping a list of who bought presents, and it certainly is never considered rude if a present is not bought.
Having said that, there are some presents that teachers love to receive. And others that are sadly not so welcomed. And it isn’t cost related, by any means.
So What Are The Best Teacher Gift Guide Ideas?
1. A Handmade Gift, Card or Picture.
These always make the perfect gift. Especially if it is something that was made in class that the child has made again at home as a present for the teacher.
Another great home made idea would be a hand written fact sheet or poster listing “All the things I have learnt this year with Mr/Mrs/Miss ….”
There are lots of things that can be easily made at home that make great presents. And at the end of the day, these gifts show so much thought and time spent. Far outweighing anything bought. Make things like
- scrunchies
- drawstring bags
- bookmarks – see below
- soap holders
- bath bombs
See this post for all my ideas for handmade teacher presents that you can make or sew.
These gifts will be so well received!
Fancy teaching your child to sew? Find out how to get them interested here.
2. Pens
Pens of any description are a great idea. A teacher always needs pens. And these do not have to be expensive.
Ask any teacher and I bet that these are amongst their favourites!
3. Notebooks
Similarly, teachers always need notebooks, journals or diaries. And again, for a frugal option the pound store will always have a great selection. Or you could go for a personalised option.
Show me a teacher who wouldn’t want their face on their own notebook?
4. Stickers
These days, teachers use a lot of stickers, both as incentives and to mark books. Some lovely stickers would be a brilliant gift idea. Personalised ones again are a lovely option.
5. A Gift Card
These are perfect, as they can always be put towards something more expensive. The recipient can then get something that they need. A coffee shop card is also a perfect choice!
6. Socks
A single pair of character, cartoon or comedy socks is a brilliant choice if your teacher is that sort of a person. Think Iron Man, Darth Vader or Homer Simpson!
7. A Tie
For a male teacher, a tie is the perfect gift choice. He can wear it and the pupil will see it being worn. They needn’t be expensive. Just do steer away from the comedy or cartoon ties though. Whilst these are fine for socks, a teacher does have to have some decorum!
8. A Scarf, Pin or Brooch
Similarly, for a lady teacher, a scarf or pin badge may be a great idea.
9. Hand Cream, Lip Balm or Moisturizer.
Teachers are often out on playground duty at break times and at the start and end of the school day. They do suffer with chapped lips and hands as much as the rest of us, so a lovely and not so expensive idea would be a lip balm, hand cream or an organic moisturizer. There are so many great options out there.
10. A Bookmark
Maybe even include this with their favourite book, or notebook above. Why not try making these fabric bookmarks out of some funky fabric?
And What Gifts Should You Not Consider?
Whilst “Best Teacher” mugs and teddy bears are a lovely thought, they can rarely all be used or displayed. Sadly, we do have a few of these in our cupboards.
And chocolate gifts are lovely, but too many chocolates end up being given away.
At the end of the day, whatever gift you give your teacher, it will be greatly appreciated. But I do hope that this has given you some great teacher gift guide ideas.
What are you going to gift your teacher?
See these posts for more gift ideas:-
Why not pin this post for later?
as a former teacher i was always glad of the food gifts that could be shared out with everyone in the school, there are so many unseen people that support your child during their schooling, such as the cleaners #pocolo
True, my OH does give a lot of chocolates to the caretakers!
What lovely ideas. I think a handmade cards are the perfect gift. They are something special and one of a kind. #MMBC
Yes, my OH always prefers things that are handmade.
A timely topic – I think small practical gifts or homemade card are great suggestions. I taught decades ago and some gifts were unbelievable. #MMBC
What fabulous ideas, I’ve given so many teacher gifts over the years I almost feel like I’ve given up now. But I think my son’s teacher would appreciate some biscuit socks…or maybe some with footballs on as I know he loves football. Thanks for the ideas.
#mmbc
Thank you. I know how hard is it sometimes to pick a gift.
Some lovely ideas that would always be useful. Mine always made cards and mini cakes to take in, it wasn’t much but it’s the thought that counts not the value. #KCACOLS
Good ideas here. When my girls left primary I spent a bit more as it was the last time for gifts and got some pens made up with the individual teachers names on (it was a very small school) #KCACOLS
I must admit, I do love personalised items!
What a great guide, my husband is a teacher and I don’t mind when he brings home the chocolate gifts but in reality the cards do really mean the most.
I can’t believe it’s that time of year again already – it always seems to be that time of year! #MMBC
I’m sure my OH doesn’t agree! It cannot come quickly enough for teachers! LOL
with three days left to the school year, I’ll confess to completely spacing on thins. Usually we do a coffee shop or movie theater gift card. Guess I need to get on that, thanks for the reminder #KCACOLS
Some great ideas from an ex teacher! I love stationery so its always a winner. this is the first year of me being parent and not teacher but my sons teachers like to visit our restaurant so we can giving them a voucher towards a meal with us that they are booked in for over the summer.
Thank you for linking with #KCACOLS! x
Now that is such a good idea too!
My daughter is finishing school next Friday and as it is her first year I really am not sure what to do but I think I will go with the hand-made card. It is personal, inexpensive and all about the thought. Plus my daughter is never happier than when she is sitting at our kitchen table surrounded by glue, stickers, glitter and colouring pencils! #KCACOLS
These are some wonderful ideas. I think a spill proof coffee cup would come in handy too. They also always seem to need strong sturdy bags to carry things in. The ones with filing systems in them is even neater. 😉 #KCACOLS
What a great list of ideas. I love the personalised card one. My husband is a Cub Scout Leader and one of his cubs once made him a card with a tent and a campfire on it to say thank you for a camp that he loved. It meant a lot to my hubby and I bet it would to a teacher too. Teaching is notoriously stressful so to know they have reached a child must be fantastic #KCACOLS
Love these ideas!
Thank you so much!
What a great list! 😀 Thanks so much for sharing. 😀
#KCACOLS
Can’t believe we’re already in June. My nephew has already finished school and starts his apprenticeship next month! #kcacols
These are great gift ideas, not just for teachers but for friends too.
#KCACLS
Thank you
Lovely ideas X #kcacols