Are you looking for a fast and easy teacher appreciation gift idea for that special teacher in your life? I hear many people asking, “What are the best gifts for teachers?” and the answer to that, my friend, is simple.
The most impressive teacher appreciation gift idea is one that I have been using for years. I’ll bet you’re wanting me to just tell you already but, hear me out.
I have been teaching for over a decade, in publicly funded schools and private schools, internationally as well as here in Canada. There have been some very, very generous families over the years showering me with amazing things – gift cards, edibles, plants, and so much more. I have been truly spoiled! Yet, there has always been one teacher appreciation gift that stands out the most.
Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea Revealed
It was one of my first years of teaching when I received the best kind of gift that I love to receive as a teacher. It was a letter.
Opening the envelope carefully, I pulled out a folded paper. The note was typed and seemed awfully formal. Official even. I began reading the note wherein the parent of my student shared with me the impact that I had made on their child. They were specific in writing about how. Shared in that letter were several ways that my influence continued as the year progressed.
Reading that note reminds me how important it is that we share – with words – how meaningful our relationships truly are to us. If you appreciate someone for the work they do, the best and most meaningful way to show them is to express that in words in a letter or in a note or even an email.
Attitude of Gratitude
There are many gifts that are certainly nice to have. However, for me, my favourite gifts are words from the heart.
When the end of the year approaches, I start to think about teacher appreciation gift ideas for my own children. There are plenty of people to show appreciation for: teachers, support staff, custodians, early childhood educators, the bus driver, the principal, and so on. Unfortunately, purchasing pricey gifts is not doable for us as a family.
So, our teacher appreciation gifts are gratitude notes. Because I like to gift our educators something sweet, I also include some candy. This year we went with a watermelon theme. Each educator received a bucket of candy and a heartfelt note. My youngest wrote something very simple. But, as my children get older, my expectation of them is to write to their teacher to thank them. Next, I encourage them to write about how their teacher impacted them over the course of the year. Did their teacher inspire a love of reading? Did their teacher make them feel safe? How did their teacher make them feel loved and cared for every day they went to school?
Wrap it up & Deliver
Once we have our notes printed on paper that matches our theme (candy), we wrap up the treats and attach the note. This is an affordable yet memorable teacher appreciation gift idea that we absolutely love to use! If candy doesn’t feel like the best choice for you – feel free to swap it out or omit it.
There’s one more thing, I wanted to share with you that was on that first teacher appreciation letter I received. The letter ended with: “Copied to: Your Principal”. That one line made me feel celebrated and appreciated. Why? Because our words matter and on that day, the words that I needed to hear were that I was seen, and I was heard, and I was appreciated.
Affordable Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Ultimately, the best teacher appreciation gifts that you can give are notes that express the impact a teacher had on your child. Tell them why and tell them how.
I think I speak for most of us, but the things teachers want most for (and from) our students is to be successful, happy, and contributing members of a peaceful and accepting community.
And by modelling and attitude of gratitude, our kids will learn to communicate with intention.
Teacher Gift Assembly
Note Cards for Gifts
If you love these “One in a melon” note cards, then you can grab a copy for yourself. Print, write and share with the special people in your life.
The thing I love about this note card set is that it is black and white so you can print it on any colour paper and it will POP! Get your set, print the cards you need, and brighten someone’s day with a note of positivity and appreciation. #yourwordsmatter If you’re feeling really creative, you can write your note on one of these cactus colouring pages instead.
