If I am thankful to someone in my life, then there’s a sir of mine who comes first to my mind. We often hear that teaching is a noble profession, teachers are our second guardians, and so on. All those are true in the sense that, with parents, we still have some barriers in sharing and understanding that can be filled by teachers. In my life, sir (won’t mention the name though) was the person I went to for advice—be it on love life, stress, or any random thoughts—a place of guidance without judgment. Fun fact, his and my birthdays are on the same date.
Gifting to appreciate their role in our lives every now and then is a good practice. When I talk to my teachers, they seem to remember every small gift or moment they shared with hundreds of students in their lives.
So, how can we make their existence in our lives more appreciable through giving presents?
Gift Cards
If given a choice, most teachers would prefer gift cards as a gift. The reasons are many—they can freely use them as per their liking, and there’s no dilemma about what to give. Unless the teacher’s preferences and needs are well known, and you don’t want to ask, go for the gift card option. It’s the safest and most effective gift option, according to teachers. Amazon gift cards are versatile for all types of options. Visa gift cards work too. For a bookish teacher, perhaps a gift card from their local bookstore or online book club; for a coffee lover, maybe a gift card from a coffee shop; or for a foodie, a restaurant gift card to enjoy their favorite meal with family. A little knowledge about their hobbies and preferences might help make the gift choice more personal than blindly giving anything.
Handnotes/Cards
As most students are budget-constrained, traditionally common and lovable gifts teachers receive are handmade notes and cards. Old is gold, as we know. From a child, the most heartfelt gift is a handmade note directly expressing gratitude, whereas, as adults, we often find it hard to express these thoughts. In a teacher’s life, this is the most thoughtful gift, I think, to know that their students love them.
DIY/Homemade Foods
Making food for someone is a very personal level of affection. Not only food, but any handmade items we make for others carry the intention itself. Nothing is better than DIY gifts for teachers to show gratitude. Homemade foods, colored plant pots, paintings, or a memory lane journal for that teacher specifically sharing why he/she is your favorite teacher and how he/she influences your life are all thoughtful ways for students.
Stationery Items
Stationery items are go-to useful items in a teacher’s life. Giving some unique items will boost their mood. Notebooks and journals are the most common ones. But instead of just writing “the best teacher” or “to my favorite teacher,” you can customize a bit with their name. Embossed pens and pencils with their initials are great too. Marker sets for daily use, desk organizers to keep their rooms tidy (as they spend a third of their day at the institution), or a Cricut Joy machine for crafty-minded teachers are useful and affordable options for students to give.
Pottery
I have a gut feeling that teachers are more into aesthetics, home decor, and crafty items. Pottery gifting is a wise idea as it can decorate their rooms with a different touch where they spend most of their time daily. A hand-designed pot for a plant, a small flower vase, or any pottery item that matches their taste can be a great gift.
Skincare/Self-Care Sets
All-day writing on boards, checking papers, and teaching pupils isn’t that easy. Why not give them a small relaxation set—maybe a hand sanitizer, hand cream, perfume, a candle to light during breaks to relax their minds, or a room deodorant to keep the teacher’s room smelling like home? This gift box will definitely give them a feeling of adoration.
Indoor Plants
One of my university professors keeps a money plant on her desk in a glass jar, which makes her room cozier than other professors’. If your favorite teacher has a soft spot for plants, then you can consider giving indoor plants as they are easier to maintain compared to others. Money plants, snake plants, rubber plants, and spider plants don’t need direct sunlight or daily attention. Succulents, in my opinion, are better for gifting as they look more like decor items in a room and are elegant.
Laminator
A laminator is very useful for a teacher, I think. There are various options, like a thermal laminator that uses heat to add a protective layer over paper. As teachers deal with a lot of documents and papers, having a personal laminator might be a big help.
Personalized Tote Bags
I mean, who would dislike a tote bag when they have to carry the whole home in their bag? Spending most of their days teaching must require carrying lots of necessary items. Therefore, a tote bag with a unique design embossed with their initials will definitely brighten their day. A thoughtful gift idea indeed.
Bookish Gifts
A teacher without a love for books? No way! They don’t necessarily have to be bookworms, but yes, they are connected with books all the time. Giving their favorite books special edition, bookmarks, bookends to keep their books in place on their desks, or sticky notes to annotate books are great items to gift.
AirPod Case
Doesn’t sound like a teacher’s gift, right? But who says teachers don’t use them? During breaks, they might love to listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook away from all the chaos. An AirPod case is a useful gift for your favorite teacher.
Daily Planner
To note down their classes and work in an organized way, a daily planner can be a great addition to their desk. It’s the most useful and lovable item for Teacher’s Day.
Caricature
Students who have a knack for art can try this out. Caricatures of your favorite teacher, moments, and their specific personality traits and memories can be shown creatively. Your teacher will definitely love this effort and showcase of your talent with thoughtful intentions.
