National Teachers Day is upon us and the pressure is killing us! Okay, not really, but we do tend to get a bit anxious when an occasion requires us to give our kids’ teachers gifts. I mean, what if the other parents spend more money and we look cheap? What if the aspiring Martha Stewart mami shows us up with a beautiful craft or mega-thoughtful basket (again)?
Read Related: How Your Kids Can Show Teacher Appreciation
In 1953, Congress proclaimed a National Teacher Day to honor educators. Knowing these sometimes saintly people have to not only put up with our kids all day but also teach them something makes us want to honor and celebrate the heck out of them, don’t get us wrong. It’s just the pressure of getting the perfect gift for this May 6 holiday keeps us up at night. Since the Japanese proverb reads, “Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher,” we’ve taken the guesswork out of gift-giving for teachers with a list of 15 presents your kids’ teachers will love. No more stress over what to buy? Count us in!
1. In a poll by Parade magazine, teachers said their favorite gift to receive is a note from your child. Gotta love teachers, right? Believe it or not, most actually care about the well being of your child and would love nothing more than some love and appreciation from the kid they work so hard to educate every day. What’s even better is that this is pretty easy peasy for you, right?
2. School supplies. Educator are often left having to pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets. Every little bit helps so when the crayons, paper or poster board goes on sale, grab a bunch and drop it off at school for National Teachers Day!
3. Everyone loves a gift card. Whether it’s for fancy coffee or a decent dinner, teachers’ salaries are not great leaving little room for treating themselves to much of anything.
4. Baked goods. From the heart means from the kitchen for many a mami. Muffins, cookies or perhaps something passed down in your family would make a great gift.
5. Books from the NEA Bookstore. Teachers love education, especially self-education, so there are easy gift ideas in books selected specifically for teachers!
6. A great tote bag. Teachers have a ton of stuff to haul around and many are forced to share classrooms with other educators, literally moving themselves and their baggage from room to room throughout the day. Make this a bit easier on them with a large, roomy, compartment-filled tote.
7. Post-it® notes with a cute dispenser. Some of us are former educators so we’re going to clue you in on a little secret… teachers love post-its! Not all, of course, but most teachers use post-it notes on their desk, in their planners, on notes for substitute teachers… the list goes on and on and on…
8. A mini terrarium. So pretty and so low maintenance!
9. Everyone needs a spa day. Trust us, your kids’ teacher would love a good massage or mani and pedi!
10. A Downton Abbey tea gift set. Especially great for the English teachers, a tea set is sweet, sophisticated and totally trendy right now.
11. The New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons. Make them laugh, make them cry, let them know you understand and appreciate some of the personal and professional struggles they must endure as educators.
12. Personalized stationery. Who loves a handwritten note more than teachers? They’ll get one from you and your child, obviously, but allow them to send them with more class, style and fun with personalized cards or stationery.
13. A personalized calendar. So fun! And bonus, they’ll think of your kid fondly every day when they’re looking at it!
14. Favorite teacher/personalized M&Ms. Use their name or initials or even ‘favorite teacher.’
15. A really nice pen and pencil set. We’ve seen teachers left writing their own notes or items in their day planners with a stub of a colored pencil. Stop the insanity with a lovely, pen and pencil set.
