Back-to-School Teacher Gift Ideas, from Elementary to High School

With the start of a brand new school year, I know many of us moms have been busy getting our kids ready to go back to school. New school years come with new supplies, clothes, shoes, and most important, a new teacher.

First, we get everything on new teacher’s supply list to ensure the kids have a successful year. But we also want to show our teachers that we support them in their monumental task of educating our children.

While teacher appreciation happens at the end of the school year, the beginning of the year is our first opportunity to show teachers that we appreciate them and are here to support them.

Here are a few ideas for back-to-school teacher gifts that are super easy to put together and will be a huge hit with almost every teacher!

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The Gift of Time

 One of the most appreciated gifts you can give a teacher is the gift of your time. Offer to help in the class, either by serving as a room parent or simply offering a few days throughout the year to help with tasks. This can go a long way!

A great way to communicate your offer of time would be gifting a bottle of hand sanitizer with an attached note that says you are willing to be a pair of “helping hands.” You can get this free download tag from Eighteen25 or make your own.

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A Few of Their Favorite Things

Once you find out who your child’s teachers are, ask them if they have a list of “favorite things.” You might be able to find this list in the front office, on the school’s website, or by simply asking your PTA. Once you have the list, put together a goody bag of your teacher’s favorite things, such as a bag of candy candy and a gift card to a favorite restaurant or store. Go the extra mile and tie it up with a personalized tag. Check out Etsy for inexpensive tags that you can download, print, and attach to your gift. They come in plenty of teacher-related themes, too.

Storage buckets are a great option. They’re perfect for toting teacher gifts, and also make for great storage afterward. This is a great way to display a few of their favorite things!

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Teacher’s Amazon Wish List Items

You can support your child’s teacher and the classroom in a big way by getting something from his or her Amazon wish list. Most teachers have one, and will happily share the link with you. Alternatively, you can ask the school administrators if they have one for your child’s teacher.

Amazon also has a feature where you can search custom gift lists; however, this tool only works if the teacher’s list is made public. So, if you don’t see it there, it’s best to ask. Amazon wish list items can be purchased and sent directly to the teacher, or you can have them delivered to your home so that you or your child can present them personally.

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Gift Cards and/or a Handwritten Note

When all else fails, gift cards are always a hit! Amazon, Target, or Starbucks are tried-and-true crowd pleasers that almost any teacher can appreciate. You can include these with a handwritten note expressing how excited you are that he or she is your child’s teacher this year.

Whatever the gesture, great or small, your child’s teacher will be delighted to know that you care for and support him or her during this upcoming school year.