Many teachers don’t expect holiday gifts during the hustle and bustle of the season. Still, educators deserve appreciation and recognition year-round because of the love, support, and countless hours of dedication they give students each day. You want to find thoughtful and meaningful gifts they’ll love when you’re looking for the best gift for caring educators. Let’s explore some of the best cyber-teacher gifts you can give this year.
What Kinds of Gifts Do Teachers Want?
Finding the perfect teacher appreciation gifts can be simple. Before heading to the store or doing some online browsing, check out the dos and don’ts for holiday teacher shopping. Although your child’s teachers will likely love anything they receive, some ideas are usually more welcome than others.
Keep these tips in mind when browsing for teacher gift ideas:
- Avoid mugs: You might be wondering why you should avoid mugs when they’re such a common and cute gift. However, this is precisely why you should avoid them. If five students give the same teacher a mug every year, that teacher will very quickly rack up a collection they can’t possibly use. Although they’ll love the sentiment, they’ll likely wish they could get more use from your child’s thoughtful gift.
- Refrain from making sweet treats: Fudge brownies, sugar cookies, and festive cupcakes are cute, but they’re risky gifts for teachers. Common allergies, like gluten and nuts, can cause your child’s sweet gift to end up in the trash or the hands of someone other than their teacher.
- Steer clear of scents: Lotions, perfumes, and candles can be a hit or miss because scent preferences vary from person to person. Unless you’re certain about the smell they like or shop from a store that allows exchanges, it’s best to avoid these kinds of gifts.
Virtual Learning Teacher Gift Ideas
Now that you know what small gifts for teachers to avoid, you can start shopping for the items they’ll love. Things like gift cards, school supplies, and thoughtful notes are excellent holiday gifts that will have your child’s educators thinking fondly of them long after they receive their gift. These seven ideas are some of the best, so shop your favorite this holiday season.
1. Handmade Christmas Ornament
You can never have enough Christmas ornaments to decorate your tree, and teachers are the same way. This heartfelt gesture shows teachers how much their students love and appreciate them. There are also tons of ways to make homemade ornaments. Your child can express themselves by using glitter and paint inside a clear ball, painting the exterior of a plain decoration, or using household items like string, paper, cotton balls, and felt to create an original piece their teachers can’t find anywhere else.
This gift is also great because there are multiple ways to display it. They can hang them on their personal tree, showcase them on their office tree branches during class times, or display them around their homes. Additionally, you can never have enough of these presents, unlike gifts such as mugs. If they get multiple ornaments every year, they can hang each one without worrying about running out of room to store them.
2. Whimsical Socks
One item we’ll always need is a pair of socks. Of course, you don’t want to buy the run-of-the-mill pairs you can find at local stores. Instead, you want to get creative. There are tons of fun sites that will allow you to upload images to socks or browse from a collection of vibrant, bold, and unique pairs to help your child’s teacher stand out.
Encourage your child to craft a handwritten note describing why they chose the sock design and how the gift reminded them of their teacher to make the gift even more heartfelt. Your child might get to see their teacher rocking their unique pair during events like school spirit weeks when the teacher wants to stand out on Crazy Sock Day or Pajama Day.
3. Desktop Timer
Teachers of every subject need a good timer. It can be challenging to stay away from technology when operating from home, but a desktop timer can ensure teachers stay on track without distractions. They can use their timer during class for schoolwork exercises or cyber school standardized tests without opening another tab on their computer.
4. Crayon Wreath
A crayon wreath is an eye-catching decoration that will stand out to teachers and their guests. Your child will need a few supplies to complete this project. They can make this craft with crayons, hot glue, a sign with the teacher’s name, and a ribbon with a ruler design. If you swap the name sign for a small blackboard, the teacher can reuse the wreath long after the school holiday break has come and gone for the year. Ask your student to pair the wreath with a heartwarming note and enjoy the view of their wreath during class times.
5. Custom Pens or Pencils
School supplies are in high demand whether teachers are in the classroom or instructing from home. Custom pens and pencils are cute and practical. Your child can choose the colors and add pretty, personalized messages on each one to let their teacher know just how great they are. You can also consider pairing this gift with custom stationery, a daily planner, or a journal to create a gift set they can use throughout the year.
6. Headphones Case
If your child’s teacher uses wireless headphones to listen to music or podcasts or join virtual classes and meetings, consider gifting them a protective case for their headphones. These cases also often come with fun designs and a wristband or clip for easy portability. You might even be able to personalize the case with the teacher’s name or favorite sports team.
7. Tote Bags
One can never have enough tote bags. These bags are perfect for shopping at farmer’s markets, carrying school supplies, and they can even be used as purses. Canvas tote bags are durable, and you can purchase them with fun designs or buy a blank one to create your own design. You might even transform this gift into a present from the whole class by asking each student to sign the bag or including everyone’s names on the back!
Enroll Your Child in Courses With Supportive Teachers at CCA
Commonwealth Charter Academy is a Pennsylvania charter dedicated to delivering high-quality, unique, and personalized learning experiences to learners across the state. Our education program fosters a sense of curiosity, passion, and lifelong learning in our students.
Our teachers are state-certified, and they create personal and strong relationships with learners and their families. Our educators teach from a family service center rather than a home office to ensure students get the most out of their education and to make it easier for families to reach out or visit them throughout the year. Your child will gain valuable career prep, lasting connections, and an enriching and interactive education at CCA.
Check out our blog for more creative ideas for cyber students, or contact us for more information about our unique program.
