Nearly every week, my daughter, a kindergarten teacher, brings home or orders a package of goodies for her children.
That’s what she calls her students, and she’s always looking for a game or supplies to help teach them basic concepts about reading, writing and math. When I asked what she wanted for her birthday this year, she listed only stuff for her classroom.
This got me thinking about the profession that matters so deeply to my child, so I did an unscientific poll on social media asking teachers what they really wanted for the holidays. Many said they didn’t expect anything.
“I teach at a Title 1 school,” one educator wrote on my Facebook page. “I know our families don’t have much, if any, disposable income. I don’t expect anything and don’t ask for anything. Plus, it is tricky with holiday gifts for and from different religions. I wouldn’t want a family to feel any expectation to buy a gift.”
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Another wrote: “It’s difficult to voice what I ‘really’ want because it makes it seem like I expect a gift for doing what I love, which is not the case.”
But since I asked, here’s what teachers said. (Some responses have been edited for clarity and style.)
Enough with the coffee mugs
Although they love their mugs, they have plenty.
- “Please God, not a mug.”
- “I have so many mugs, am not a candle person or a bath bomb gal. (Although I do regift these to my friends who are.)”
An etiquette guide to regifting
- “No coffee mugs please, had so many I could’ve opened a Starbucks. Best gift I ever got was an Ohio State Mr. Potato Head!”
- “Library worker here. I get so many travel mugs and water bottles. I’m very well hydrated.”
More acts of service
- One student “offered to straighten up classroom after school. Put away pencils and papers etc.,” one teacher wrote. “Also took chairs off desk in morning. Sharpened pencils etc.”
- “A day where a parent comes in to help the class, leads an activity.”
The 2023 Well+Being gift guide: Ideas to help you live better
Gift cards
This was overwhelmingly the gift of choice. (And, don’t forget other school workers.)
- “I am always thankful for classroom supplies and gift cards to places that I can purchase those things — Amazon, Target, Walmart.”
- “Gift cards are honestly the best thing! We can use it to buy supplies for our classroom, gas to get to work and back, or even just dinner when we’ve had a rough day.”
- “Gift cards to Amazon and Target are the best. I can get anything I need, from a new top to replace the one that got stained at work to supplies.”
- “Grocery store gift cards. I like to restock my comfort items around this time of year for my students (tissues, granola bars, Pop-Tarts, sanitary napkins, lotion, hand sanitizer, etc.)”
- “I would also appreciate a gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers.” TPT (at teacherspayteachers.com) is a virtual pre-K-to-12th-grade marketplace where educators share, sell and buy educational resources, such as lesson plans, worksheets and flashcards, among other resources.
- “A $5 gift card with a personalized note thanking me for all that I do would warm my heart immensely.”
Displays of gratitude and support (store-bought cards not necessary)
Educators want to feel appreciated. Many relayed a heartfelt desire to know they are making a difference. As I watch my daughter, I know she would appreciate such feedback.
- “A card with a note from the kid and parents. A real comment that makes me feel seen and appreciated. Handmade cards are the best.”
- “My husband is a retired high school teacher. Honestly any gift is appreciated. His favorite gift — cards from students where they took time to write a note about something they enjoyed in class or something he helped them learn.”
- “For holiday presents, a letter to my principal telling them how amazing I am. … I teach but I also have to prepare — make the lesson plans, contact parents, grade, create slide decks, make copies, etc. I’m always on. It’s exhausting. I love teaching, but I do not love how our educational system is designed or how professionals are disrespected and underfunded. Our job is vital to the health and economy of the entire country and often we are treated as an afterthought — certainly we are paid as though we are less than.”
- “Not just money, cookies, gift cards or even supplies. Stand up in public and actually defend teachers in public education.”
Time with your kids
- “For K-8 parents to spend 20+ minutes per night reading WITH their kids.”
- “Make a special time each day to read with your child. Then come to school the next day and tell me all about it.”
- “Honestly, the gifts I desire most, money can’t buy. I would like parents to take a more active role in their children’s education. Hold them accountable for their choices and decisions. I’m a high school teacher.”
2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Classroom supplies
After gift cards, this was the most asked-for thing.
- “A laminator, virtual reality goggles, the device that helps my students read. I’m an ENL (English as a New Language) teacher.”
- “A midsize colorful carpet for the classroom so that my students and I can come together during reading to engage and bond (they like to do this activity).”
- “I’m a retired elementary school teacher and books for the classroom library or gift cards to buy them are great!”
- “Kleenex for the classroom. Clorox wipes. Pencils. I teach high school, most of my students show up with no supplies. We use the bathroom paper towels as tissue because I would go broke buying tissue for 180 students. Really if parents had their kids bring supplies and have them keep their phones at home, my job would be bliss.”
Food
- “Snacks for kids! I buy a ton to give my kids. That would be helpful!!”
- “Last year, one of my families brought a bunch of pre-packed snacks for the [teachers'] lounge so we could all enjoy a treat.”
A good laugh
- “One year a kind family gave me a bottle of wine, and they covered the label with their own …. which had the personalized picture of their child … with the caption, ‘because sometimes he makes [us] want to have a drink.’”
- “I’m in a high school now and rarely get gifts anymore, but the cutest gift I ever got when I taught in elementary [school] was a bottle of wine with a card saying the parents knew I would need this after a day with their son. Fortunately their son was a terrific kid but I loved their sense of humor.”
I’ll end with the following I received from a teacher:
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“The most meaningful gift ever came from a third grade student who gifted me a random assortment of used household items and wrapped them in newspaper. Her family had next to nothing, but she wanted to share what little they had with me. It was the kindest and sweetest gesture that still brings tears to my eyes. I returned the items to her mom (without her knowing) along with a gift card to a local grocery store.”
