The holiday season is upon us, and many families want to show the teachers of their children how grateful they are for all they do.
But what gifts do teachers like to receive? Gifts are not expected, and in reality the gift that is given out of a feeling of obligation is often just a waste . . . the teachers’ lounges fill with sweets from teachers that know it would be soooooo unhealthy for them if they ate all of that (although some of us really like them ;-)).
We realize we risk seeming ungrateful, but the truth is teachers get some gifts that can be downright befuddling sometimes.
We asked fellow teachers what gift was the most memorable and what are some gifts they prefer not to receive.
John Hughes from Created by MrHughes
Carrie Curry of Curry’s Creations
Nichole Phelps from A Learning Moment
“I received a coffee mug (I’m known for coffee) from a student last year that he decorated all by himself. He used foam stickers to spell his name, my name, and say Merry Christmas. Personalized gifts that are handmade are super meaningful to me.”
Mr. Educator – A Social Studies Professional
4mulaFun
She taught 7th and 8th grade math
“During my time in the classroom I enjoyed receiving any and all gifts from my students that had meaning behind them. When a student puts thought into a present for you based on things that you have learned about them or they have learned about you then it truly is meaningful. My most prized items are some owls that I added to my collection, handmade cards/posters and of course gift cards!”
Lindsay Perro
She taught Middle School Math
“My favorite gifts were practical ones. I adored tumblers, coffee mugs… basically anything to drink from! Oh and coffee gift cards were great too! Can you sense a theme here? Coffee related gifts = favorite gifts!”
Bri McGriff from Knowledge Mobile
The Teacher Team
Carol teaches 6th this year
John teaches 11 & 12 Science
“John has worked in a Title I School his entire career, and Carol has worked in a mix of Title I schools as well as school in more affluent neighborhoods. We would have to agree that the best teacher gifts ever have been the gift of homemade food given by children that come from families who were extremely poor, so these were true gifts from their hearts.
The homemade tamales freely given were not only the most amazing and delicious foods we’ve ever had, but so appreciated. Besides homemade tamales, homemade “posole or pozole” (a pre-Columbian soup or stew from Mexico) was given one year, in a big pot that the family sent home with me, with a paper plate with all of the different sliced, fresh vegetables that you put on the top of the soup as a garnish. Truly gifts of the heart!”
“The best teacher gifts let the teacher know you value them. Two of my favorites are a beautiful Glass Apple, and a teacher plaque. Another great idea is enclosing a gift card to amazon.com or another universal easy to get to store and personalizing a hand or computer made card. I keep those too.”
Peggy Means from Primary Flourish
Retired – second grade for last 5 years of teaching
“The most meaningful gift I ever received as a Christmas gift was from my entire class of 2nd graders. We had recently read Papa Panov’s Christmas by Leo Tolstoy and discussing how we all had so much stuff and we were looking at ways to give at Christmas – not just focus on getting. So they gave me a goat! – not for me, but given in my name to a poor family in Africa. (through World Vision) That is really the only gift I ever remember when I think of gifts from my students.”
“We are so blessed to receive gifts. It is such a beautiful gesture of thanks that is always appreciated. We love personal, homemade gifts that kids and parents have put effort into. We also love bath products or things that help us relax.”
KinderLit (there are two of us who own KinderLit)
Literary Sherri Middle School English Language Arts
“The holiday gifts I have kept the longest and treasured the most are the hand-written notes of appreciation received from both students and parents that remind me why I chose to become a teacher! The 10-year-old holiday card from Brandon that says, “Thank you for introducing me to mysteries. Reading is my new favorite hobby!” still makes me all smiles and the card from Amanda’s mom that reads, “Thank you for caring enough about Amanda to help her improve her reading skills. For the first time in a long time, her confidence is growing and she is talking about becoming a teacher herself. The best thing is, she believes she can teach! Thank you for giving her that gift!” just melts my heart every year when I re-read it!”
Becky from Wim’s Winners TPT Store/The Class Couple Blog
First Grade
“Although I never expect gifts from my students, I do appreciate the fact that my students have thought of me during the holiday season. I enjoy gifts that I can use in the classroom like new/gently used books for our classroom library, stickers, fun pencils and erasers, glue, etc.”
Cinnamon’s Synonyms
Grade 2
“When I received this gift 10 years ago, it was shiny, sparkly and just gorgeous (it still is beautiful, even with the missing stones!). But this isn’t why I love it so much… I love it because this gift wasn’t a parent’s idea of what to get me. This gift idea came straight from my student’s heart. Observant and ever so thoughtful, this 6 yr old child knew the true spirit of giving. It really isn’t about the ‘thing’…it’s the thought that goes behind it!”
Lisa from Created for Learning
Taught 1st and 2nd grade
“I guess the most meaningful gifts from students are the things I actually kept. I’ve kept a canvas bag that had pictures on it from the first class I was a teacher aide in and that bag is filled with all the thoughtful handwritten cards, pictures, and letters from students and parents from my years teaching. I also kept a silver plated hippopotamus paper weight that was given to me by a super smart and funny first grade student from the class I student taught in. I didn’t keep it for what it was but for what he said when he gave it to me . . . there were three teachers in his class that year and he picked a hippo for me because I am “so silly and fun.” I also loved gift cards for Starbucks, ice cream stores, or restaurants.”
Gifts that some teachers do not appreciate receiving:
- Boxed Chocolate Candy
- The traditional “teacher gift” meaning anything apple themed, ABC 123, etc. UGH!
- Chocolate cherries. Blech!
Mugs- Chocolate
- Shortbread
- Wine
- Lotions
- Handmade gadgets
- Coffee mugs
- Candles
- Shelf trinkets
- Perfumes
- Mugs and candles. Candles are nice, but with little ones at home, they do not get used.
- Lotions or scents that I probably will never wear because I didn’t pick them
- Store bought chocolates, because I really receive more than I can eat
- Half-eaten boxes of chocolates and open bottles of cologne! Maybe the kids found these around the house and gave them without their parents’ knowledge.
- Clothes – Please don’t try to guess my size.
- Food. I have special eating requirements due to illnesses and receiving food breaks my heart because 99% of the time I can’t eat it and I don’t want to offend anyone by giving gifts back.
- I do not enjoy receiving monetary gifts or gift cards. Once I had a student give me a $50 gift card to Outback Steakhouse — while this was certainly a nice gesture, and other students did not know about this — word soon traveled among the staff members about what I received and this caused hurt feelings since other teachers who had the same student didn’t receiving anything.
So what should you give your kid‘s teacher?
You may have noticed that some gifts that were the most memorable for a teacher are also on the list for gifts some teachers do not enjoy getting.
If you want to get a teacher a gift . . . think of the teacher and what they like.
Teachers often feel like they go a long time without positive feedback about what they are doing and how much thoughtfulness and care they are putting towards their job. What does your specific teacher enjoy? Get creative. Have fun. It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant to be memorable. A gift out of obligation can sometimes be nice but usually the most meaningful to a teacher are the ones given from the heart and thoughtfulness of the student.
What gifts would you add to our lists of best and worst?!?! Tell us in the comments.
