With the start of a brand-new school year, I know many of us moms have been so busy getting our kids ready for back to school, making sure we got everything on their supply lists to ensure they have a successful year. New school years come with new supplies, clothes, and shoes, and most importantly, a new teacher.
As parents ready for our kids to return to school (or if you’re like me with a kindergartner starting, you’re not feeling so ready), we often want to show our teachers that we support them and their monumental task of educating our children. While teacher appreciation happens towards the end of the school year, the beginning of the year is a perfect 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!
The Gift of Time
One of the most appreciated gifts you can give a teacher is the gift of your time. Offering to help in the class, either by serving as a room parent or simply offering a few days throughout the year that you can take off to help, can go a long way. A great way to communicate your willingness to help would be a bottle of hand sanitizer or lotion and attaching a note to it letting them know you are willing to be a pair of “helping hands.” You can get this free download tag from Eighteen25 or make your own.
A Few of Their Favorite Things
Once you find out your child’s teacher, ask them if they have a list of “favorite things.” Sometimes, the school office keeps this for each teacher, or they are posted on your school’s website or shared via PTA. You can put together a goody bag of their favorite candy and a gift card to their favorite fast-food restaurant or favorite store. Check out Etsy for instant downloadable templates that you can attach to your gift card with plenty of teacher themes. These templates can range from $3 to $5, go in an envelope or gift bag, or be part of a larger gift storage bucket.
I found these storage buckets at Target for $3 in the Dollar Spot. They’re perfect for toting teacher gifts and also make great storage for use afterward. This is a great way to present a few of their favorite things!
Teacher’s Amazon Wish List Items
This is one of my favorites because even if you don’t have the gift of time, you can be a part of supporting your child’s teacher and the classroom by getting something from their Amazon Wish List. Most teachers have one and can share the link with you, or you can ask your child’s school administrators if they have one for your child’s assigned teacher. Amazon also has a feature where you can search custom gift lists; however, this tool doesn’t always directly correlate to a teacher’s list if it’s not published. 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.
Gift Cards and/or a Handwritten Note
When all else fails, you are low on time, or are unable to find a teacher’s favorite things or Amazon Wish List, gift cards are always a hit. Amazon, Target, or Starbucks are great general crowd pleasers that almost any teacher can appreciate. You can include these with a handwritten note telling them how excited you are that they are 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 them during this upcoming school year.
Read More: Effective Communication with School :: 5 Tips from a Former Teacher
These are all great suggestions. Definitely going to use these for my meet the teacher tomorrow.