The Best Teacher Gifts And Ideas, According To Teachers

By Murphy Moroney

Whether it's the holiday season, Teacher Appreciation Day, or just the end of the year, sooner or later, you're probably going to need to get your kiddo's teacher a little something. And while we know that every ~~person on the face of the earth~~ educator wouldn't mind getting a little cash in the form of a gift card, they're certainly not the most creative gift ideas.

Not sure where to begin other than the checkout section of your nearest drugstore for teacher gifts? No worries! We did the hard work for you by asking teachers to tell us the best gift they've ever gotten from a student — and the answers were very helpful.

"Some of [my] favorite gifts are the personalized ones. I've gotten pencils, post-its, pens, lunch boxes, school bags, framed signed class photos, ornaments for my Christmas tree, and even a clipboard. They were all personalized with my name or something special from the student. Anything a kid makes me is extra special. I grow basil in my 'Thanks for helping me grow Ms. Gravett' flower pot." — Julie Gravett

"I love personalized things or things my kids make. My kindergarteners come up with hilariously adorable things that I cherish. A few parents have given me summer tote bags with tumblers, hats, towels, face masks — that kind of stuff, which is perfect for poolside sitting. Also, a lot of teachers say they're tired of mugs but I can never have too many of them!" — Kaleigh Soles

"My coworker had a parent who made an entire homemade meal for her family. She would do this for all of her kids' teachers every year. I'm told the meal was amazing." — Kathy Kelly Mahoney

via GIPHY

"I got a painted canvas from a kid once. I hung it up in the room classroom, and when I left the job I took it with me and now it is displayed in my house." — Whitney Allison

"Even though I teach high schoolers, I still really like when they make me things. I have a little collection of ceramics, candles, and drawings from students. The best thing I've seen a teacher get when a student gave another teacher a journal log of every joke he make over the course of a year. I loved that!" — Leigh Hennelly

"The most sentimental gift I've received was a framed collage of pictures from the year! It was so cute." — Courtney Hammell

"I loved getting handwritten notes from the students. I still have all of them and so does my husband! Every so often we revisit them and it's a true treasure. They warm our hearts and reminds us why we teach." — Tracy Degnan

"A student put together pictures and a phrase I used often in class together in a frame. I still have it on my desk eight years later." — Kelly Harrity

"A student of mine gave me a 'Summer kit' that came with a pitcher, pink lemonade mix, and plastic wine glasses. The mom said she would have provided the vodka, but that would of been way too inappropriate! She also gave me dog toys because they knew I was getting a puppy over the Summer, which I thought was so sweet! I feel like that parent really hit the nail on the head with that one; Mommy drinks while the puppy plays with her new toys!" — Kimberly Guiliana