Teacher Appreciation Week 2024 is coming up on May 6, and I surveyed teachers from across the country to find out which gifts they received and loved the most. These teacher appreciation gift ideas are easy, budget-friendly, and great for getting the students themselves involved!
Free gift ideas for teacher appreciation week
Showing your teacher extra appreciation doesn’t have to cost money. The most appreciated gestures are often the simplest and most personal. These gift ideas won’t cost you anything but will speak volumes.
Printable teacher appreciation cards Beautiful cross indeed
1. Handwritten letters and drawings
Undoubtedly the most common response from teachers about the gifts they liked best were handwritten notes and drawings appreciating students and parents for their work and guidance throughout the year. A simple gesture of sharing what you love most about your teacher goes a long way.
2. Emails to the school principal
Don’t just let the teacher know you love them, but let the principal know too. Many teachers said how much they appreciated when parents took the time to email their principal explaining why they appreciated their teacher.
Printable coloring pages From superficial concepts
3. Appreciation bulletin board
Set up a bulletin board in the classroom or school for students to leave notes and drawings throughout the week. Leave a pile of attachments Or some Printable coloring pages nearby. This allows students to thank not only their teacher, but also the entire school staff who support them throughout the year!
Consider collecting notes, drawings, and end-of-year notes and putting them in a book that the school can keep, or photocopying them for the yearbook page.
4. Wear the teacher’s favorite color
Although I think asking the class to participate in themed activities every day of the week can put a lot of pressure on parents and caregivers, this one-day activity is a nice nod to teachers. Have all the children in the class wear the teacher’s favorite color to surprise them.
Teacher gifts from the classroom
Any of these gift ideas can be done individually, but grouping the class together allows all the kids to participate regardless of their budget, and keeps things streamlined for the parents, too.
Group gifts can make a big impact! All of these ideas were given by teachers as gifts that they loved.
Printable teacher gift card holder From HelloLeahKnick
1. Gift cards or cash
The second most common teacher response to gifts they loved for Teacher Appreciation Week is gift cards. To ease the financial burden on parents, I always recommend making a group collection and purchasing one gift card from the class. This allows parents to contribute what they can, whatever the amount.
The most common gift cards are for places like Goal or Amazon Where teachers can buy everything they may need across different categories. However, if you know your teacher better and want to choose a different option, here are some ideas:
- A local bakery, restaurant or café
- A local spa or nail place (be sure to include enough for a tip!)
2. Dessert or coffee cart
Fill a cart or cart with treats or refreshments to take into each classroom so teachers can have something to eat. Here are some ideas of what to include:
- Coffee cart with coffee, milk and different sugars
- Muffins or breakfast pastries
- Fresh juices or smoothies
- Trail Mix Bar
3. Class package
Buy a bouquet for the teacher but instead of giving it to them already in a vase. Allow each student to choose a flower and bring it to them individually to build the bouquet. I love that this is a great way for each student to say thank you individually, while building a beautiful bouquet together!
4. Serving lunch
Consider getting the class’s parents together to provide lunch for all the teachers in the school, or coordinate with your teacher in advance and offer to buy lunch for them one day during Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s important to coordinate this in advance so the teacher doesn’t end up with multiple lunches at once!
5. Buy something from their classroom wish list
While our government should budget appropriately to purchase all the supplies our teachers need, this is not currently the case. In addition to struggling to change that, consider purchasing something that is still on your teacher’s wish list.
This was asked repeatedly in my teacher survey, as supplies often run low at the end of the year and teachers have to use their own money to replenish them.
Collaborative classroom art piece Via @almostmakesperfect
6. Create a collaborative group art piece
Have the class work together on a collaborative piece of art that week that the teacher can hang in the classroom. Here are some ideas:
- Stamp each child’s hand on a canvas and have them write their name
- Have each child draw or draw and cut out pieces of each to form a collaborative piece
- Let each student draw a teacher, favorite moment in class, or something else and take a photo of each. Combine them all into a book using a service like Chatbooks for the teacher to keep!
7. Donate in their name
Many teachers reported that families make donations in their names to organizations that support teachers, children, and their collective well-being. This can include organizations such as Mothers are demanding action or Every city.
One gift is unobtainable
And resoundingly, the teachers responded that they were did not Need more cups. A go-to gift for teachers (and anyone for that matter!) means they have a lot of them and many of them are asked to avoid this token of appreciation.
If you are a teacher, what is your favorite gift you have ever received?
I hope these teacher gift ideas help you show a little extra love for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Remember, it is important that we do not let this week replace showing our true support for our teachers through our actions and activity every day of the year. Voting and staying vocal to ensure teachers are valued, paid and respected is the best way to show our appreciation for the work they do!
All images by Studio DIY unless otherwise noted.
