7 Useful Back-to-School Teacher Gift Ideas Your Teachers will LOVE!

Back to school season is upon us. And this year has a special significance. Many are powering down their online Zoom classrooms of the past year and gearing up to literally go back to school for in-person learning again. Getting back into the routine of going to school might have you scrambling to remember all the little things, such as putting together a back-to-school teacher gift!

Why bring a back-to-school teacher gift?

Our teachers work so hard. By the time you get to the classroom, your teachers have likely already been there for a couple of weeks getting everything set up and preparing a welcoming and fun environment for kids to learn in. They likely had to use some of their own money for supplies. So even though you don’t know the teacher yet, it’s a nice gesture to bring a token of appreciation right at the start in the form of a thoughtful little back-to-school teacher gift. 

However, you won’t be the only one who’s thought of bringing a gift for the teacher. You don’t want your gift to be just another “thing” they have to store, but rather something useful and practical. Trust us, your teacher will be thankful for any supplies and useful items that will save them a trip to the store or space in their closet.  

What to bring as a back-to-school teacher gift

But if you don’t know the teacher, how do you know what to get them? First of all, the key to remember is that it truly is the gesture that counts. The trick is to think of supplies or items any teacher might need throughout the school year, and then make it cute and thoughtful by the presentation. Here are some of our favorite useful items for finding the best back-to-school teacher gift!

1. Small succulent plant
2. Teacher survival kit
3. Bouquet of Sharpies
4. Homemade goodies
5. Coffee tumbler/mug and coffee shop gift card
6. Candy dish made of writing/coloring utensils
7. Target gift card

1. Small succulent plant

A small succulent plant is an excellent back-to-school teacher gift. Whether in a home or a classroom, plants can really cheer up a room and won’t take up too much space on a desk. Also, a succulent plant is easy to care for. If you want to make a succulent plant even more special as a back-to-school teacher gift, personalize the pot. You can paint it with a personalized message. Or you can even create your own teacher-themed succulent plant pot using rulers, Crayons, or other back-to-school supplies to decorate with.  

2. Teacher survival kit

If you’re looking for a back-to-school teacher gift that’s really useful, a teacher survival kit is a great option. A teacher survival kit is simply a bunch of sample or travel-sized items your teacher might need to get through that first week of school. She can keep this at her desk to use throughout the school day or to have on hand when she gets home. You can purchase an already made teacher survival kit, or create one of your own! Some of the items to put in your teacher survival kit might include:

• Dry shampoo
• Deodorant
• Mints and gum
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash
• Cough drops
• Headache medication
• Dayquil 
• Tums
• Hand lotion
• Bandaids 
• Nail kit
• Stain removal stick
• Febreze fabric spray
• Instant coffee packets
• Chocolate 
• …and anything else you can think of that might come in handy!

3. Bouquet of Sharpies

“It is a truth universally acknowledged” that a teacher can never have too many Sharpies. Whether she forgot to pick some up at the store, they get borrowed and never returned, someone leaves the cap off and they dry out, or they simply disappear like socks in a dryer, a few extra Sharpies always come in handy. Give your teacher a cute little bouquet or bunch of Sharpies and she will definitely appreciate it. Make it a cute back-to-school teacher gift with a colorful and clever printable tag or one you make yourself!

4. Homemade goodies

When in doubt, a little baggie or box full of some homemade treats is always appreciated as a thoughtful gesture. Bake some cookies, colorful Rice Krispie treats, or decadent brownies, put them in a decorated baggie or container with a thoughtful note, and call it a day!

5. Coffee tumbler/mug and coffee shop gift card

If there is one thing your teacher will always need more of this season, it’s coffee. Find a local coffee shop in the area and get a gift card your teacher can use to fuel up for the long days ahead. Bonus points if you gift it in a cute teacher-themed coffee mug or tumbler that could become one of her favorites!

6. Candy dish made of writing/coloring utensils

A super fun and useful back-to-school teacher gift that you and your kiddo can make together is a candy dish made out of writing or coloring utensils. All you need to make a crayon candy dish is a small jar, some crayons (or Sharpies, pencils, etc.), some hot glue, and voila! Fill it full of chocolates, candies, mints, or other treats for your teacher to enjoy throughout the day.

7. Target gift card

Pretty much everyone loves Target, and that most likely includes your teacher. There are tons of things your teacher can get for the classroom there. Or even just a treat for herself at home. Either way, a gift card to Target is a super useful back-to-school teacher gift to make sure she gets something she wants! She will definitely appreciate it. 

Once you decide on a perfect back-to-school teacher gift, be sure to wrap it up with a GiftMate™  drawstring gift bag that she can reuse! It’s like two gifts in one! It’s the fastest, easiest, and most stylish and cost-effective way to wrap a gift. Check out our online inventory! And if you have any questions, contact us today to see how we can help. We’d love to hear from you!

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