12 Back-to-School Gift Ideas for Teachers and Staff
It doesn’t seem possible that summer is already wrapping up. Trust me, I don’t want it to end either! Even though we still have a few weeks left to finish shopping for school supplies and getting kids back on a normal sleep schedule, it may be worth it to start thinking ahead about the school year so you can maximize these last few weeks of summer break!
Teachers, principals, and school staff are ALWAYS on my mind this time of year. They’re heading back into the trenches! Sending your elementary school kiddo to school with a thoughtful surprise for their teacher, or dropping off some goodies at the school office, is a small gesture that could go a long way!
Here are 12 ideas for treating the adults in your students’ life this year!
Morning stop gift cards
If there’s a good coffee shop, bakery, gas station, or drive-thru within a few blocks of the school, grab a gift card there! Think about over-tired teachers trying to sneak in a quick breakfast on their way to school - your gift card could be a morning life saver!
Extra large insulated water bottles
Staying hydrated can be a gift in itself! Snag your child’s teacher a good insulated water bottle that will keep their drink cold all day long. It’s very likely they won’t have many opportunities during the day to refill it, so the larger the better!
Fancy pens
Teachers are constantly loaning out pens and pencils. A pack of colorful, unique, and otherwise highly identifiable pens will keep students from walking away with those valuable little tools!
Cleaning kits
Stock your teachers with tissues, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and surface cleaner. A healthy classroom is a happy classroom.
Hand-written encouragement note
Sometimes, the best gift you can give is a sincere “Thank you!” Let your teachers know they are appreciated with a heartfelt note. If you’re up for volunteering, let them know they can count on you to cut their laminated items, restock them with supplies, or help with testing.
Pro tip: Follow up on the volunteering offer! Sometimes teachers need to see you’re serious before they send a project home or ask you to spend time in the classroom!
Amazon gift cards
Your teachers are probably spending A LOT of their own money on classroom supplies. It’s hard to know exactly what they need and when they need it. But, if they’re loaded with Amazon gift cards, they can have just about anything on their wish list shipped to them in two days.
Self-care items
Show teachers you care by giving them something they can use on their own time. Cozy blankets, at-home spa treatments, or even a bottle of their favorite wine reminds them that you value their mental and emotional health! (P.S. Check your district’s policy before sending any alcohol to a teacher or staff member. It may not be allowed on school property even if it’s a gift.)
Deliver their favorite coffee, tea, or soda
Find out what their beverage vice is and then either send their order into school with your student, drop it off yourself, or have it delivered! Being caffeinated at just the right time may be the pick-me-up they needed.
Spotify subscription
Sign the classroom up for music without ad-interruptions. This way your teacher can make classroom appropriate playlists AND enjoy their own music in their headphones while they grade, make lesson plans, or do administrative work.
Small indoor plant
Bring a little outdoors inside with a small plant that’s easy to care for. Choose something like a ZZ plant that only needs occasional watering! It’ll look pretty and brighten up the classroom without adding another task to the teacher’s list.
Fun night out
Send your teacher for a relaxing night out with restaurant or movie theater gift cards. Often, they spend so much time at home still working on “teacher things” that they forget to go have a little fun. When their fun is funded, it’s a lot easier to justify taking a night off!
Cash!
An investment in teachers is an investment in their students! Ask teachers and staff for their Cash App or Venmo and then move money in whenever you’re feeling generous! A little bit can go a very long way.
Want to know exactly what the teachers in your life want? Send them an invite to join 12 Hummingbirds! Then, you’ll never have to wonder whether they’re a coffee or tea person :)