We recently had a member question on our Facebook page asking for ideas for gifts for teachers this Christmas. We ended up having lots of teachers write their thoughts on the topic and here is what they had to say:
- βAs a teacher the greatest gift is a beautiful card with words of appreciation. I used these cards as part of my resume!βΒ – Elizabeth H
- βI was a teacher and honestly, I love the hand drawn, wonky cards the kids make themselves. I have kept every single one of them and they are all special to me. Much nicer than talcum powder, bath salts or chocolates. Seriously.β β Lanii S
- βAs a teacher I’d get so many chocolates that I’d have to give them away; same with soaps. Usually I’d put them in a hamper for the poor. I love those World Vsion Christmas cards where you donate money to pay for a item. Gift cards would be nice as teachers do pull money out of their own pockets to pay for various items throughout the year to support their students learning as budgets and school funding doesn’t often cover consumables.β β Jacqui J
- βAs a teacher, it’s the effort that is appreciated. Chocolates are a cop out – sorry! I liked things that are disposable, like a bottle of wine, voucher, nice brand of hand cream or body products, etc. As you can imagine after many years of teaching you can accumulate a lot of stuff to end up in your house. Head to a market and get a lovely gift at a reasonable price – jewelry if they wear it or local products. It’s not hard to buy a great, thoughtful gift! Movie tickets are great too! And write them a lovely card and give them a thank you, because that goes a long, long way.β β Lisa D
- βNO more chocolates, candles or soaps. Most teachers are not dirty, living in homes with no electricity eating chocolate for comfort food. They have spent a year giving their all to your children show thoughtfulness whatever it is.β β Jacqueline K
- βI think a present from the heart doesn’t have to be an expensive gift, just something to say thanks. I worked in child care and ended up with chocolates, flowers, perfume, wine, teddy bears. At the end of the day its about the thought that counts.β β Jai-lee A
- βTeachers appreciate when you go in with a couple of parents and buy a massage voucher or the like. Personalized ‘teacher’ or name gifts are not so much appreciated- think about whether you would like them in your home. A lot of teachers also won’t eat the food that is homemade, as they don’t know where/how it is cooked, etc. Also chocolates are way too popular. Depending on what you spend, I would suggest body shop or similar, movie tickets or a bottle of wine.β β Becky W
- βWhat most teachers really want is validation and appreciation. Heartfelt words in a card mean so much (I always used to cry), as teachers invest so much of their personal time and energy into the kids that they nurture. I also think, if you want to do a gift, it’s nice to find out what the individual teacher likes outside of school. With my love of food, I remember one of my kids made me a personalised “Miss Lukey” apron once with the help of her Nan. Amazing and I still have it. I also loved a cookbook or a nice kitchen utensil. Personalising it to their own interests and passions really shows you’ve thought about it and care.β β Sweetpea Cuisine
- βI still remember the children who gave me Christmas decoration, each year when I get them out at Christmas. Wine can be nice too especially for male teachers or a bottle of rum or whatever it is they like.β β Jacqueline K
- βI’m a music teacher. I love little homemade treats. I had a mum make me some specialty fudges one time (she is a baker by trade) and they were amazing! Cards are the most important to me – just something with thought.β β Ainslie J
- βWhen I was working in child care the best gift I had received was always a card made by the child. It was much more appreciated. One family had made me a key chain with a photo of the child and I, along with a hand painted mug by the child. It’s not about the money you spend, it’s the thought that makes everything much more appreciated. Also knowing the time and thought that they had put in for you, makes you feel appreciated for the work you put in to them.β β Holly S
- βI’m a teacher and anything is nice, though a voucher for any major department store is best. Ten dollars from a whole class is actually a big gift and much appreciated, especially if we can buy Christmas groceries, etc as we all are on a budget by that time of year. Though we like gifts for us, almost all teachers are unfailingly practical! Massage vouchers are excellent also, though not all love them.β βCassandra SΒ
- βCards with special messages are great. I also love putting up my Xmas tree each year and remember all the kids who have given me beautiful decorations over the years. Little notebooks or stationery items are great too. It’s the thought that counts…and presents are not expected by teachers either.β β Kylie R
- βI am a prep teacher and the best presents I receive are the ones made by the kids. Home made cards, jams and I even received a gingerbread house made by a student (with mums help) one year.β β Amanda M