6 Ways To Show Teacher Appreciation That Work for Any Budget

March 31, 2023

They work an average of 50 hours a week. They spend an average of $750 of their own money on supplies. And they make a positive impact on students that can last a lifetime. In fact, many students never forget what teachers said that inspired confidence or influenced their academic careers! 

Since it’s always a good time to let your teacher know how much you appreciate them, consider the following ways to let your favorite educators know they’re appreciated. 

Here are six ways to thank them — from small, heartfelt gestures to all-out luxury. (Pro tip: Keep this list handy for Teacher Appreciation Week and the end of the school year!)

Teacher Gift Idea 1: Desk Accessories

Forget the “World’s Greatest Teacher” mug. You can refresh your teacher’s workspace with desk accessories. Paper trays, pencil cups, bins, and much more can help your teacher stay stylishly organized.

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Teacher Gift Idea 2: Organizational Tools

Teachers are the ultimate multitaskers and must be on top of everything, from testing dates to class projects.

The TUL custom note-taking system can help make sure they create a process that works for them. This notebook and all of its TUL organizer accessories will let your teacher add, remove, and rearrange pages for seemingly endless personalization.

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Teacher Gift Idea 3: Gift card Bouquet

Flowers are nice, but a lovely gift card bouquet can be even better. This is a clever way to solicit participation from the entire class without making it mandatory or conforming to a certain budget. 

You can just ask parents to send in a gift card to a place they love — from coffee shops to the movie theater to a favorite store — in whatever denomination they like. To make the bouquet, you can stick the cards in floral picks and arrange them in a flowerpot. (Have the kids decorate the pot if you have extra time!)

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Teacher Gift Idea 4: Themed Gift Basket

Another way to invite class participation while considering different budgets is to choose a theme and have parents contribute items to fill the basket.

For example, if your teacher has a passion for cooking, you can choose an Italian theme filled with everything from dried pasta to fancy olive oil to festive kitchen towels. A movie buff may appreciate movie theater-style popcorn, candy and snacks, and even a digital movie gift card to enjoy the latest blockbuster. 

Consider creating a class sign-up sheet to avoid duplication or have parents send what they prefer that fits the theme.

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Teacher Gift Idea 5: Personalized Gifts

Customized, useful gifts can be a nice touch to your teacher’s classroom. You can create a custom desk sign or nameplate they can proudly display. 

A personalized leather notebook with your teacher’s monogram is a thoughtful gift they can use daily. Your teacher may also appreciate custom stationery, such as personalized notecards and sticky notes, they can use throughout the school year.

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Teacher Gift Idea 6: The Best Gift of All

Time and again, teachers say a little appreciation is all they want, which is why a sincere, handwritten note from both parent and child can be the ideal gift. In an era of overfilled classes and threatening budget cuts, knowing they’re making a difference can make all the difference.

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About the Author 

Cathie Ericson is a freelance writer specializing in small business, finance, and real estate.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.