Looking for a gift for your favorite teacher? You have a lot of options ranging from something you can create completely on your own (cheap) to some things that cost a little bit of money.
As a teacher I can tell you that getting a gift from a student that is sincere and thoughtful makes me feel respected and appreciated.
Don’t worry about how much money you spend, it’s not always about how expensive the gift is.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money, make sure you aren’t spending more than $10.00-$20.00. Anything more than that and it can be a little awkward for the teacher. No cash either. Check with your school district, a lot of districts have a limit to how much money you can spend on a teacher gift.
My favorite gift from a student recently was a new notebook with a message of appreciation on the inside. Below is a picture the actual notebook.
If you prefer watching me show you the gifts then below is my YouTube showing you the gifts straight from my classroom!
I use notebooks a lot when I am planning for my science classes so for me it was very thoughtful of this student to get me a nice new one. Again, not expensive by any means but it meant a lot to me.
Here goes, a list of some of the best gifts you can get your high school teacher.
1. A Simple Thank You Card or Letter
That’s right, a simple card or letter with a note of appreciation inside or an example of something specific you learned in their class is greatly appreciated.
Many teachers will tell you that these kinds of gifts are some of the greatest and memorable gifts they ever receive.
A nice card and note is something that lot of teachers put aside and go back to during the difficult days of teaching.
2. A Piece Of Art
If you are artistic then a drawing, painting, or something that you wrote is a great.
Personalize it and you have a gift that any teacher would love to have.
Much like letters/cards these are also things that many teachers will hold onto for a long time.
Below is a really nicely drawn picture from a student last school year. I have it on my wall of the classroom behind my desk.
3. Gift Cards
Don’t spend a lot of money on a gift card but gift cards are great gifts too.
If you notice your teacher drinking Starbucks coffee every morning then get them a Starbucks gift card. Some can’t miss gift cards are Target and Walmart, everyone needs something from one of these stores. A gift card to the local theater is good too, let your teacher sit back and enjoy a movie.
4. School Supplies
If you notice that your teacher is always short on something like dry erase markers like these on Amazon then getting them a few is a nice gift. Pay attention to what they are using and try to figure out what they could use more of.
5. Get Them A Plant
I like succulent plants and have a few in my classroom.
For and end of the school year gift last year I had a few student get me some new succulent plants that they potted for me and everything.
It probably didn’t cost them that much money but it was a really cool gift to get.
Every time I look at the plants I remember the students that gave them to me.
I hope that someday these students visit my classroom when they are older so I can show them that I still have the plants in my room.
6. Buy Them A Coffee Or A New Mug
One morning you can get them a coffee and attach a quick note to it thanking them for teaching you.
This is the one I received this school year, it’s great!
Be sure to keep an eye on the kind of coffee they are drinking or casually ask them which is their favorite.
7. Get Them Some Chocolate
Most people like chocolate so you can’t go wrong getting them a box of chocolates or find out what their favorite chocolate bar is.
This year I had a student give me a bunch of Almond Joy bars. The student sent me a survey of which candy is my favorite and went out and bought me a few!
Add a little note of appreciation and your teacher will love it.
I like getting chocolate so I have something sweet at school after I finish eating my lunch.
8. Humor Gifts
One of the funnniest gifts I received from a student was the magnet below. It is a new element called “Um”, the element of confusion.
I teach science so for me this was a perfect gift!
9. Bake Them Something
If you know how to bake then consider baking them some cookies or cupcakes.
Wrap them up and bring them to school with you with a note of thanks that includes your name.
I often have students bring me homemade baked goods before Christmas too and I love tasting everything that they make.
10. The BEST Pencil Sharpener
A few years ago a group of students bought me this awesome X-ACTO electric pencil sharpener.
They noticed how bad the wall mounted sharpener in my room was so they each pitched in a few dollars a bought me this one on Amazon.
It is the best pencil sharpener and has lasted me several years.
I now share it with all my students and in the future will be buying the same one again.
11. Books!
Most teachers like to read.
Take a look at what your teacher is reading or ask them what their favorite genre is.
The book does not have to be education related. Most teachers like a good book to escape the pressures of teaching.
12. Insulated Cup or Iced Coffee Tumbler
This is another gift that almost every teacher can use.
A tumbler, like this one on Amazon, is great for coffee, tea, water, and just about anything else they want to put in there.
A great gift idea that your teacher can use over and over.
