Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (2024)

Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (1)

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They're getting close to the end of the school year, and it's time for celebration! Whether the students in your life had an A+ year or a tough one, one thing is to be sure: The ones at the head of the classroom steering all that learning deserve the best end-of-year gifts. And while, when you ask what they want, many teachers would demur and say they just want a heartfelt thank-you card from their students — we know, because we did ask — we know they deserve more than that. End the year on a high note with one of these thoughtful teacher presents.

Our Picks for the Best End-of-Year Teacher Gifts of 2024:

No matter which one you choose, you'll send them off into the summer feeling good!

Looking for more great gifts? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

The Best Gifts for Women | The Best Gifts for Men | Unique Gifts Under $10

What Teachers Really Want

Amazon Gift Card

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What Teachers Really Want

Amazon Gift Card

It may seem impersonal, but when we asked teachers what they really wanted, the overwhelming No. 1 answer was a gift card. (A thoughtful note was also greatly appreciated.) This one to Amazon can be set for any amount, and it comes in a festive "reveal" box.

Edible Teacher Gift

Sugarfina Candy Bento Box

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Edible Teacher Gift

Sugarfina Candy Bento Box

No matter what kind of sweet tooth they have, your teacher's sugar cravings will be satisfied with this elegant candy assortment. It comes with three of Sugarfina's best-selling items: Rosé All Day gummy bears, Peach Bellini candies and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, all of which can be purchased individually for $19 per cube.

Best Gift from Each Kid in the Class

'Thank You for Helping Me Grow' Succulent Tag

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Best Gift from Each Kid in the Class

'Thank You for Helping Me Grow' Succulent Tag

Every teacher can use another plant for the classroom. Buy a cute, easy-to-care for succulent online or at a local flower shop, and you can give it a heartfelt meaning with this wooden tag (plant not included). It comes in a set of 20 tags, so you can give one to each kid in the class, save them for use throughout their school careers or use them for after-school babysitters, nannies, grandparents or other caregivers.

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Best Group Gift

Teacher Appreciation Gift Box

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Best Group Gift

Teacher Appreciation Gift Box

If everyone chips in, you can get this thank-you-in-a-box with pre-selected gifts. It comes with a 20-oz drink tumbler, a coffee mug and a rose sandalwood candle — all of which have "teacher" messages on them — plus a jewelry plate, a pen and a greeting card.

Just a Little Something

Water Bottle Flower Stick-On Hook

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Just a Little Something

Water Bottle Flower Stick-On Hook

Compatible with brands like Stanely, Hydro Flask, Owala and Yeti, this little hook adheres to reusable water tumblers to give them an extra bit of functionality. You can also gift your teacher hook-on accessories like chapstick holders or AirPod cases, or fun charms like initial letters or beaded strings. It's perfect for that teacher that never goes anywhere without their water bottle.

Custom Gift for Teachers

Personalized Teacher Tote Bag

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Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (9)

Custom Gift for Teachers

Personalized Teacher Tote Bag

True fact: Teachers never have enough tote bags. There are nine styles of bags here to choose from, each of which can be personalized with a teacher's name. If you want to make it a class gift, you can fill it with your teacher's favorite snacks or needed classroom supplies before you gift it.

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Best Gift for a Male Teacher

Personalized Teacher Stamp

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Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (11)

Best Gift for a Male Teacher

Personalized Teacher Stamp

You can personalize everything about this stamp, from the look of the teacher (add glasses, facial hair or a tie, or go for a long-hair version), to the font and message. They'll enjoy adding a personal touch to all of their assignments.

For Teacher Self-Care

Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

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For Teacher Self-Care

Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

What does a teacher need more than to relax? This spa set comes with therapeutic shower steamers in six different scents: lemongrass and coconut, menthol and eucalyptus, watermelon and grapefruit, cacao and orange, and peony and pear.

Cute Illustration

Educator Stationery Set

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Cute Illustration

Educator Stationery Set

Teachers can jot down all of their ideas for next year using this handy "educator" stationery set. This bundle comes with a 9" x 12" acrylic clipboard and a pad with 50 sheets of paper.

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Teacher Sticky Notes Set

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Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (15)

Teacher Sticky Notes Set

Whether they need flags to mark pages or bigger sheets to write their to-do lists, this seven-piece set will serve all their sticky-note needs. When you add them up, there's more than 550 sheets in total!

Adorable Personalized Gift for Teachers

Pencil Name Sign

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Adorable Personalized Gift for Teachers

Pencil Name Sign

Show your teacher that they're the sharpest by putting their name on an oversized desk pencil. You can customize the wooden sign, and they can put it on the desk or use Command strips to attach it to a wall.

Useful Teacher Gift

Duck Nano-Grab Double-Sided Gel Tape

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Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (18)

Useful Teacher Gift

Duck Nano-Grab Double-Sided Gel Tape

Now 43% Off

It's not pretty, but man can teachers find a million uses for this. The clear strip is sticky on two sides, which is helpful for hanging up anything from picture frames to string lights to signs and banners. It's incredibly strong, and yet it can be peeled off easily — and even washed off and reused.

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Useful Gift

Weekly Planner Notepad

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Useful Gift

Weekly Planner Notepad

If you're looking for just a little something to go with that thank-you note, this notepad lets teachers see their week at a glance. Summer plans sorted!

Best Gift for Teacher Appreciation Week

'Things My Students Said' Journal

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Best Gift for Teacher Appreciation Week

'Things My Students Said' Journal

Students are going to say some bonkers things over the years. This journal gives your child's teacher a place to write them all down, so they can remember the corkers for years to come. You never know which of your child's quotes might make it in there!

A Unique GIft

Capsules

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A Unique GIft

Capsules

Cadence's capsules keep small amounts of everything sorted, from pills to lotions to little things like change or thumb tacks. And the containers are magnetic, so they really fit together and stay together in a drawer. Teachers can use them in their desks, or, if they're traveling over the summer, they can be used for toiletries since they hold a TSA-approved amount of liquid.

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Funny End-of-Year Teacher Gift

Teacher Coloring Book

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Funny End-of-Year Teacher Gift

Teacher Coloring Book

At the end of the day, anything you can give a teacher to relax is appreciated. This book offers coloring sheets with funny phrases like, "Thursday feels like Day 4 of a hostage situation."

For Teachers Who Like to Bake

Teacher Baking Set

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For Teachers Who Like to Bake

Teacher Baking Set

Send your teacher home with a sweet note of thanks — literally. Each set comes with one potholder, one rubber spatula and baking mix.

Sweet Picture Book

A Teacher Like You

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Sweet Picture Book

A Teacher Like You

This book details all the different ways a teacher can affect the lives of their students. Have your kid add their own thoughts as an inscription or on a card.

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One-of-a-Kind Teacher Gift

'Why You're the Best Teacher Ever' Book

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Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (26)

One-of-a-Kind Teacher Gift

'Why You're the Best Teacher Ever' Book

Since the thought really does count more than the gifts, have your student fill out the prompts in this fill-in-the-blank book. Or, you can do it as a class, and have every student fill out one page.

Just a Little Something

Best Teacher Ever Socks

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Just a Little Something

Best Teacher Ever Socks

Vacation means putting your feet up — better get some fun socks. You can get these "best teacher ever" socks, or choose more subject-specific ones for English, science and math.

Don't Forget: It's Almost Time to Buy Those End-of-Year Teacher Gifts (2024)

FAQs

What do teachers really want for end of year gift? ›

So, what do teachers really want? It's simple, really—and fits every budget: notes of appreciation, school supplies and gift cards.

Do you have to give teachers an end of year gift? ›

More on alternatives later, but know that no teacher is going to hate you if you don't give a gift. Presents are NOT required, nor expected, and in many cases they just cause problems.

How much should I spend on an end of year teacher gift? ›

A good rule of thumb is to spend around $20-$30, but if you have a larger budget, you could go up to $50. If you have multiple children in school, you might want to consider pooling your resources with other parents to split the cost of a more expensive gift.

Is $100 too much for teacher gift? ›

It really depends on each individual family's circ*mstances, too. For some, $100 is right on the mark, while for others it's overly generous. It certainly seems that no one finds it stingy, however.

Are you supposed to buy teachers gifts? ›

Key Takeaways. A holiday gift is great way to show your childs' teacher you appreciate them. It truly is the thought that counts, a homemade gift or a heartfelt card is just as good as something store bought. The decision is up to you and your family, there are many ways to show appreciation outside of a holiday gift.

Do teachers prefer gifts or gift cards? ›

It may sound un-special, but lots of the teachers we spoke to say they love getting gift cards. “Families often mean well by trying to get you something specific and elegant, but most teachers actually need things that are boring and unglamorous,” says an assistant dean at a New York City private school.

How much is too much for a teacher gift? ›

The State Ethics Commission for the government of Massachusetts, for example, states that teachers "may not accept any gift worth $50." Most other states have the same ethics code, but with a limit set even lower. A safe bet would be to keep your gift under $20, and public opinion is right around that same number.

Do teachers like gift cards? ›

l asked educators about their holiday wishes. Gift cards and school supplies topped the list, along with handwritten notes and other simple acts of appreciation.

Is $25 too cheap for a gift card? ›

For co-workers, casual friends and your children's teachers, stay in the $10 to $20 range. Gift cards for close friends and family members can range from $25 to $100. When you're selecting a gift card for a spouse, parent or someone else who's very special, choose a card worth $75 or more.

Do teachers like cash gifts? ›

And more than any physical gift, teachers appreciate your support. Whew. OK. That being said, if you're insistent about giving gifts to the teachers you care about this holiday season, there is one gift I can guarantee every teacher is happy to receive and will definitely put to good use: cash.

Is a $10 gift card too cheap for teachers? ›

Before we get into the list, however, it is important to figure out how much money to put in the gift card. Most teacher gift cards fall between $10 and $30, but there is no required amount for a gift card — we're sure they would appreciate any and every amount you want to give! There's no pressure for an amount.

Is a $25 gift card too cheap for teachers? ›

Price range for teacher gifts

“If your child has the teacher for just one period of the day, $10 to $20 is appropriate.” Melissa Verity Baral teaches kindergarten in Los Angeles and tells SheKnows most parents give $25 to $50 gift cards.

Is a $50 gift card too much for a teacher? ›

A $100 gift is considered very generous and appreciated. Much more than that might be awkward or weird, or seen as if a favor is expected. A $20 - $50 Target or Amazon card is always appreciated. Teachers get lots of sweets like expensive candies and cookies, etc., and they don't need more of those.

Can teachers accept gifts over $50? ›

Gifts from a single source aggregating to $50 or more must be disclosed, and gifts aggregating to $520 or more during any 12-month period may subject a school board member to disqualification with respect to the source. (Gov't. Code § 87103(e).)

How much money should I gift a teacher? ›

According to surveys like this one from the website SheKnows, most parents give the teacher something worth between $10 and $50.

Do you give the principal a gift? ›

You don't have to give a gift, but you should consider it. It doesn't have to be anything fancy.

What do teachers want for teacher appreciation Week? ›

What Teachers Really Want for Teacher Appreciation Week
  • Tell them what you appreciate about them. A sincere note of gratitude from you, your child or both is a treasure. ...
  • Talk about them to others. If you have something nice to say, say it proudly and publicly! ...
  • Give them the gift of time. ...
  • Show them respect and support.
May 9, 2023

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