If you’re looking to give a well-deserved thank you to your child’s teacher in a creative way, you’re in the right place! Here are 25 outstanding teacher appreciation gift ideas, all with an adorable free printable card or tag to go with it! These are perfect for DIY homemade or store-bought gifts! As a former teacher, trust me – these gifts will be a hit! Something for every teacher, and for every parent’s budget!
A Well-Deserved Teacher Thank You for 2020
If there was ever a year that teachers deserved to know they are appreciated, it’s 2020. Thrown into a global pandemic, needing to alter their curriculum, create online lessons, learn new tech and software within split seconds…well, teachers usually have a lot demanded of them, but this year takes the cake.
As someone who was a high school teacher for 14 years before having kids, I know firsthand how hard teachers work and how dedicated they are. Yes, there are some that are in it for the unions and pensions, but most truly love your kids. And this year was so sad for so many of them, ending the way it did, not getting to say goodbye. As hard as it was for your kids, it was hard for them, too.
When I saw everything go online this year for distance learning, even though my sons are in preschool and it didn’t affect us from an education perspective, I was cringing inside thinking of what teachers were required to do. If I was still teaching, I would have been dying inside and hating every single second of it.
All that to say, I’m sure your child’s teacher could use your thank you. Some of you are already done with school this year, but it’s not too late to contact your child’s teacher and offer them some thanks. In fact, now that you’re not bogged down with homeschooling, now is a good time to come up with something creative to thank your child’s (or children’s) teachers.
What Kinds of Gifts to Give a Teacher
As someone in education, I’m no stranger to getting thoughtful gifts from students. And let me say, any token of thanks you give a teacher will be appreciated. It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. It can even be homemade, free, or just a note from your child expressing his or her thanks. It’s ALL appreciated.
However, from a teacher’s perspective, I can offer a little guidance.
Below you’ll find free printables that can be used with all kinds of gifts – homemade gifts, food gifts, thank you note gifts, and gift cards. So whatever your budget is, you can find a free printable to go along with it that makes it just a little more special.
Here are a few tips when considering what kind of gift to give your child’s teacher, if you’re looking for some inside information.
1| If you can afford gift cards, teachers love those. Even just $5 to Starbucks or Target is appreciated. Now, if your child has many teachers or you have many children and that runs up your budget, no problem. It’s totally not necessary. There are so many more options.
2| Take into consideration your teacher’s likes and dislikes if you know them. If you happen to know your teacher loves coffee, a gift along those lines would be great. If you know a teacher is dieting, a healthy homemade treat instead of a sugary one would be appreciated. If you know your teacher has a hobby or special love, teachers are especially grateful for those kinds of thoughtful and personal gifts.
But again, that’s not necessary. Anything you give will be cherished and put to good use.
3| If I could offer one piece of advice, it’s this: whatever it is, try to make it functional. Plaques, tchotchkes, things that take up room or collect dust but don’t really have use can be difficult if a teacher is getting so many of those. There’s only so much room on his or her desk or shelf.
So, if you can give the teacher something she can use versus something that’s just decorative, I’m sure that will go a long way as well.
Fantastic Teacher Gift Ideas with Free Printables
OK, on to some real cute teacher gifts ideas! All of the ones you see below come with a free printable card or tag that you can include. I really sifted this list and only included things that I really know most teachers (well, me, lol) would love!
So, consider this an insider recommendation!
Free Printable Gift Tags for Treats
You can never go wrong giving food as a gift. It's always appreciated. This versatile tag can be used with any number of treats- healthy or yummy (though they aren't always mutually exclusive), homemade or store-bought. It also comes with a tag for a homemade granola recipe, if that's the gift you want to give!
Thanks a Latte Coffee Gift Tag Free Printable
If you know your favorite teacher is a coffee or tea drinker, these tags are perfect! They come in 3 different sayings for both coffee and tea, and they go perfectly with a mug, gourmet coffee or tea, or a Starbucks gift card!
Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Printable
Teachers always appreciate kind words. And they love gift cards. This cute printable combines the two!
Fun in the Sun Free Printable Tag
Gear for the beach or pool is always appreciated! This cute gift tag is a fun way to give a beach towel, sunscreen, flip-flops or a beach bag! And if you're looking for a really unique towel to include, try this amazing towel from Tesalate that's sand-free and dries in half the time!
“Here’s the Scoop” Free Printable
If you want to give an ice cream themed gift, this tag would go perfectly! This is styled in a sweet treat pail along with all the fixins' and equipment needed for an ice cream sundae!
Nacho Average Teacher Gift Basket
This nacho-themed gift basket is another fun idea for a teacher. And believe me, teachers also love getting all kinds of cute new containers!
Thanks For Helping Me Grow Printable
This is a perfect printable for any kind of plant, succulent, flower, or herb gift! There are so many ways you can give a gift like this and use this fun tag!
Target Gift Card Holder
I don't think there's any teacher in the world who couldn't use or wouldn't love a Target gift card of any amount! This is a super-fun way to give it.
Hands Down Teacher Appreciation Printable
You can use this cute gift card a few different ways - with hand sanitizer, hand soap, or hand lotion. Teachers can use all of them, no problem.
Note Paper Thank You Free Printable
Teachers can always use all kinds of note pads, post-its and even thank you cards. This tag would be perfect to give with any of those!
Fruit Gifts & Printable Tags
You have lots of options for fruit gifts with these tags! Apples, bananas, oranges, and more! A fruit basket like this would be super-fun!
Key to My Success Free Printable
Fun key chains are always a welcome gift for teachers! I'm totally a sucker for them! Whether you buy one or make one, this is a super-cute way to give it!
Teacher Appreciation Printable: Fun Facts About My Teacher
Don't underestimate how important the student-teacher relationship is to a teacher! This fun printable won't cost a dime, but your child's answers will mean so much to his/her teacher!
Movie Gift Card Idea
Teachers really need that mental break so often - and a movie is the perfect way to escape reality for a while! A movie gift card will be so appreciated, and this free printable popcorn box and tag is a fun way to give it! (Jen from Tatertots and Jello created this one!)
Drink Gift Free Printable for Teachers
This is a fun way to give any kind of drink gift - a tumbler, mason jar cup, a water bottle - even a drink itself!
Teacher Appreciation Printable Gift Card Holder
These adorable tags are generic and can be used with any kind of gift card you want to give!
Thanks a Bunch! Printable Gift Tags for Flowers
If your son or daughter wants to give a bouquet of flowers (or pick some) for his or her teacher, this is a perfect tag to go along with it!
Easy Lemonade Themed Teacher Gift + Printable Tags
Lemonade is a fun theme for a gift! Lemonade packets in a jar are awesome to give as well as any kind of lemon-themed decor (towels, potholder, glasses, etc.).
Scent-sational Teacher Free Printables
These tags are perfect for any kind of scented gift you want to give - candles, lotion, room fresheners, or essential oils!
Teacher Appreciation Gift: Potted Herbs with Tags
Herbs are such a fun gift for a teacher, one that will keep giving all season long. These adorable tags take it up a few notches and are for thyme and dill!
You are Just Write FREE Printable Gift Tags
Teachers always love fancy things to write with - pens, markers, pencils. This is a super cute way to give them! This post also has a tag for sweet treats as well!
Miniature Cake Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea
Any kind of cake gift is always loved by teachers - homemade or bakery-bought. These adorable tag truly make the presentation impressive!
Burt's Bees Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea — With Printable Gift Tag
Burt's Bees is such a great gift idea for a teacher! I love how you can pair any Burt's Bees item with this super-cute tag! The post gives some good ideas as well!
Sunshine in My Pocket Gift Card Holder
This is so cute for an Apple gift card that can be used for music or other Apple products, especially for those teachers who put a bounce in your kid's step!
Personalized Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Holder
This is a gift cardholder you can use for any gift card, but I especially like that there's a place for your child to write a personalized message. Believe me, that will mean just as much to your child's teacher at the gift card!
It Truly is the Thought That Counts
Trust me on this one, your child’s teacher will be grateful and truly appreciate your efforts, big or small. No need to feel pressure or stress on this one. Your child’s teacher would love your kid just the same, gift or no gift. But saying “thank you” always helps to encourage, motivate and renew the energy that teacher. Free printables are just one easy way to help you say thanks.
As expected, many of these gifts are geared toward female teachers, though some can be generic enough for male or female. However, if you need some ideas for male teacher gifts, check this out for some inspiration!
More Free Printables Gift Ideas
We love free printables around here! Here are some more ideas for other occasions that you may want to look at and pin for later!
Love is Patient and Kind Turtle Valentine’s Day Free Printable Cards
Love is Patient and Kind Gift Tags
Nativity Trail Mix Gift Tag Free Printable
Stovetop Potpourri Free Printable Gift Tag
Mother’s Day Free Printable Crafts for Cards and Gifts
Father’s Day DIY Free Printable Cards
Homemade Gifts Ideas
If you’re looking for more homemade gift ideas, take a look here and pin for later!
50 Outstanding Gifts Your Kids Can Make
30 Mother’s Day Craft Gifts for Grandma
25 Homemade Gifts from the Kids for Father’s Day
If you try any of these ideas in this post or listed above, I’d LOVE to see them! Please tag me on Instagram@100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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