Here’s What Teachers Really Want for Teacher Appreciation Week

Even though I left the classroom three years ago, I still have many gifts former students bought me. I still have my collection of mugs and have the figurines of my favorite characters lined up on my desk. No matter how many cups I received or how many handmade gifts students gave me, I truly appreciated every gift, especially because I taught middle school students. The parents of teenagers out there know how temperamental they can be.

Even though I appreciated every gift, if someone had asked me what teachers really want, I would tell them that, no, most teachers don't need or want a new mug (trust me, they have hundreds). With Teacher Appreciation Week coming up on May 5th, here are some ideas for gifts any teacher will love.

Gift Card to Their Favorite Store

You can never go wrong with a gift card to a teacher's favorite store. Target and Amazon are two popular choices, but if you're not sure, you can always opt for a Visa Gift Card instead. This gives teachers a chance to buy what they want and enjoy some time shopping as well.

Coffee or Tea

Whether your child's teacher prefers coffee or tea, those early mornings and long work days are often fueled by some kind of caffeine. If you know a teacher's preferred coffee shop, you can buy them a gift card to treat themselves at the end of the day. Or, if you know their preferred coffee order, you can treat them to their favorite drink on the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Heartfelt Note

Teaching is not an easy profession – and if there's one thing that teachers have in common, it's that they often feel unappreciated. You might be surprised how meaningful a heartfelt note from a student or parent can be. Coffee, chocolate, and other gifts are always appreciated, but a note that tells a teacher the difference they've made in your child's life will be cherished forever.

School Supplies

Although some supplies are purchased by parents and others are purchased by schools, it's no secret that teachers spend a lot of their own money on supplies as well. The stipends they receive are often not enough to cover supplies for the whole year, and students constantly show up without the supplies they need to get through the day. Restocking the supplies in a teacher's classroom can be a really practical way to show you care.

When in Doubt, Give Cash

Some consider cash to be a distasteful gift, but according to this Reddit post, it was the most common answer when teachers were asked about the best gift they've received from a family. One Reddit user said, “Cash in card with a sincere note from the parent (cash to me feels more personal than a gift card; don’t know why).”

Not only does cash give a teacher the ability to shop anywhere they want, but it can also alleviate some of the burden of the rising cost of living. As user NukaGal2020 put it, “Money. To get an oil change or treat ourselves to something only we know we need. This line of work doesn’t pay enough for true self-care.”

What Not to Give to Teachers

Every teacher is different, so there are definitely gifts that some teachers would love and others would put in a drawer, never to be seen again. However, if you're wondering what types of gifts you should avoid, here's a list of items it's best to stay away from.

Scented Candles and Lotions

Scents are a personal preference, so if you don't want a teacher to end up swapping your gift with a co-worker, avoid giving scented gifts unless you know specifically what scents they like. If you know they like candles or lotion but aren't sure what scent, try a gift card to places like Bath & Body Works or Yankee Candle instead.

Homemade Treats

I don't doubt that your homemade cookies or brownies are delicious, but homemade treats are best avoided. Some teachers may be hesitant to eat something made by a family unless they know the family really well. There also might be concerns if a teacher has a food allergy. If you want to surprise your child's teacher with a favorite treat, buy it from the store or a local bakery.

Alcohol

Some teachers may disagree with me here, but this is another gift that might work if you know the teacher well, but it's best to avoid gifting alcohol otherwise. Depending on the school, there may also be restrictions on whether this is allowed or not, so be sure to check with your child's school if you're unsure.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com.