With two teachers, one assistant, and four specialty teachers (music, PE, Spanish and speech), I have to be a bit frugal when I think of teacher Christmas gifts this year. Here are ten ideas to help all of us!
- Start with the Teacher Wish List – Most PTAs have a wish list put together for each teacher. Pick a small item off of this list. It will be meaningful and appreciated!
- Handwritten Notes – My teacher friends LOVE this. Have your kids write what they love about school and their teacher. I promise it will be well received. Put it on some Christmas paper and maybe attach their favorite candy bar. Frugal and thoughtful.
- DIY Projects – Check out this post with ten DIY ideas. The “you da balm” idea is a perfect teacher one!
- Soap and Hand Sanitizer – Bath and Body Works has soap on sale constantly now through Christmas. $2 or $3 could get you a festive liquid soap or hand sanitizer. Teachers are with kids ALL day. They know the value of hand washing.
- Free Printables – Check out Pinterest to add cuteness to any ordinary gift. Spend a couple of dollars on a whisk and add a printable saying “We Whisk you a Merry Christmas”. Done.
- Gift Cards – This used to be my default and is still a great gift. I think all teachers would appreciate even just $5 to Starbucks!
- Group Gift – I don’t know why I have never done this before. Get a few other moms or dads to go in on a Christmas gift together. Your few dollars combined can equal a nicer gift off their wish list.
- Something for the Classroom – I always thought this was unfair but all of my kids’ teachers have indicated they LOVE receiving things for the classroom. Teachers are so incredibly selfless. Ask your teacher for a few ideas.
- Snack Basket – Teachers are lucky to get a lunch break and time doesn’t allow for them to leave the school usually. Put together a snack basket so they will always have food on hand. Lord knows they need energy for what they do all day.
- Flowers – Surprise them with their favorite Starbucks drink and a pretty bouquet of flowers (they do not have to be pricey!).
- If your kids are in daycare, here is a bonus idea: One year I brought a Starbucks Joe to Go so the daycare workers had coffee all day. They LOVED it and it’s not super spendy.
Need more ideas? Here are some more teacher Christmas gift ideas, and here are a few suggestions straight from teachers themselves!
