Top 3 Teacher Gift Ideas

I think it's so important for kids to show their appreciation for their teachers, but I also know how incredibly time-consuming it can be to put them together (especially when you're including all the specialist teachers etc, which come on, of COURSE!). Today I want to share some of my favorite gift ideas for teachers that are inexpensive, not too hard to put together, and will still be appreciated by the teachers.

1. Handmade card

Seriously, this is the best gift you could ever give a teacher in my opinion (and in the opinion of pretty much every other teacher I've ever talked to about this), and it costs no money. Have the kids make a card for each of their teachers. Pre-K and Kindergarten- age kids for whom writing is either not possible or extremely time- and energy-consuming can just draw a picture or, depending on their age/ability, they could write "Love, (name)" or even "thank you (teacher name)"- there doesn't have to be a long, heartfelt message, especially from the littles, for it to be truly meaningful. And I can tell you from my own experience that those gifts have a much higher likelihood of being saved and enjoyed for years and years. 

2. Edible treats

... with a handmade card ;) Teachers always appreciate edible treats, and they're another idea that's inexpensive. Coffee/tea pods for the school keurig, a chocolate bar, cookies, a candy cane... they don't have to be fancy or big to be a great little pick-me-up! And these are an easy thing to stick inside a handmade card or add a little note to- the kids could even write directly on a candy wrapper, or you can stick a piece of paper on or around it for them to write their note on.....

3. Containers 

.... with a handmade card (do you see where I'm going with this?). Teachers can always use more containers to contain all the random STUFF we have to organize and keep track of. This year we gave coffee cups, last year we did little tupperware containers from the dollar store, other containers could be a simple basket or box, pencil pouch, or even a mason jar. Trust me, teachers never have enough containers! Add a handmade note or card to it, and you can even take it up one more notch by filling the container with some of those edible treats, or desk supplies (paper clips, erasers, push pins, pencils, pens... all things teachers can always use more of and are readily available in bulk at the dollar store). 

Have I made my point clear enough that the best gift you can give a teacher is a handmade card from the child (and that the card doesn't have to be that involved)? :) There's no better way to make a teacher's day and make them feel appreciated than to remind them that their student(s) care about them! 

What are some of your favorite easy and cheap teacher gift ideas? I'd love to hear them in the comments! 

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