Teacher Appreciation Day gift ideas

HOUSTON – There’s no doubt that teachers are among the hardest-working people you know. Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, May 2, while Teacher Appreciation Week is Monday, May 8 to Friday, May 12. For those who want to thank a teacher, we’ve rounded up a few gift ideas. These Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas are easy, budget-friendly, and great for getting the students involved!

• Gift cards: Over and over again, teachers said you can’t go wrong with a gift card, either to a store the educator can enjoy for personal reasons, like a coffee shop or a spa, or to a place where they stock up on supplies.
• Handmade presents: Children shouldn’t be shy about crafting a gift for their favorite educator. This can be anything from a special drawing to a personalized trinket for their desktop.
• Store-bought food: Think chocolates, cookies, popcorn mixes and fudge. Knowing what teachers go through, some parents provide a bottle of wine.
• Handwritten thank you notes and letters: Without a doubt, the most common response from teachers about what gifts they’ve loved the most are handwritten notes and drawings of students’ and parents’ appreciation for their work and guidance throughout the year. A simple gesture of sharing what you love most about your teacher goes a long way.

Choosing a gift can sometimes be overwhelming. Here are a few gifts to stray from.

• Mugs and candles: Chances are your teacher has so many of these that she doesn’t know what to do with them.
• Things shaped like apples or with apple motifs: Yes, it’s cute and what many people think of when they consider the profession, but it’s likely your teacher already has a collection of such items, especially if he or she’s a veteran.
• ‘Intimate’ gifts: Lotions, perfumes, and bath products can be nice if you know the person very well, but that’s hardly the case when it comes to students or parents picking out gifts for teachers. Skip the personal presents, especially anything that might make your teacher blush.
• Cash: Gift cards are a favorite, but actual money in an envelope is awkward.

Whatever you do for Teacher Appreciation Day, the most important thing is to remind your teachers how amazing, strong and appreciated they are.

Share your gift ideas in the comments below.