As summer dwindles, we prepare to head back to school. Back-to-school teacher gifts are a sweet way to welcome teachers back for another school year and show support. Teachers endure a lot; a small token of appreciation can help put a smile on their faces. I started doing back-to-school gifts for my son’s teachers when he was in the first grade—here are some of my go-to teacher gift ideas!
Easy Back-to-School Teacher Gift Ideas
Teacher Survival Kit
Grab a cute basket or caddy and create a survival kit with valuable items teachers can use throughout the year. This can include pens, notebooks, sticky notes, and Sharpies. Add travel-size items such as sunblock for recess, lotion, dry shampoo, floss picks, and stain pens. In addition, you can never go wrong with treating a teacher with snacks to keep them fueled throughout the day, and don’t forget the chocolate!
Teacher Fuel
A gift card to Starbucks, Dutch Bros, or a local coffee shop can help when you need a treat on those hard days. Pair the gift card with a reusable tumbler they can keep in their classrooms (for my crafty mamas, you can personalize it with your Cricut). Maybe your teacher doesn’t like coffee? You can still get them a cute tumbler and include hydration packets such as Liquid IV or sparkling water.
Teacher Supplies
A teacher’s dream would be an unlimited shopping trip to Target for fresh supplies. Make their dreams come true by sending Paper Mate Flair Inkjoy pens, task-specific sticky notes, a desk calendar, Astrobrights colored paper, or card stock. Teachers also love MARKERS. Sharpies, Crayola click markers, and colorful Expo makers are great for creating colorful anchor charts for students. My favorite way of sending supplies is by attaching a ribbon and a note of encouragement.
Gift Cards
One can never go wrong with giving a teacher a gift card. Pick cards from fast food places such as Cane’s, Whataburger, Subway, Panera, or Chipotle for days they need to pick up lunch. Gift cards from Target, Walmart, and Amazon can help replenish supplies throughout the year. Self-care gift cards to a spa, local nail salon, or clothing store can be an excellent way for teachers to treat themselves.
Amazon Wish List
Remember as a kid writing a Christmas wish list for Santa? Guess what? Teachers have wish lists, too! Ask your child’s teacher if they have an Amazon Wish List for their classroom. Amazon Wish Lists allows teachers to get extra supplies, books, fun seating, and incentives for students, and you can send it to their homes. For teachers receiving gifts from their wish list, it’s like opening presents on Christmas morning.
Lastly, I like to send a teacher questionnaire at the beginning of the school year to my son’s teachers. Pinterest has so many free questionnaires available to download. These questionnaires help me get to know them and make gift giving much easier throughout the year.
Read More: Top 10 Teacher Gifts Under $20
Guide to Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Back-to-school teacher gift giving doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. A simple gift can help make the beginning of the school year remarkable.
