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It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, a week dedicated to showing appreciation to those who help foster the next generation. Teachers give so much of themselves every day, so it only makes sense to want to give back to them. Before you go shopping for an apple for their desk, we're here to share ways you can show the educator in your life just how much you care and appreciate all that they do.
▶ Teacher Appreciation Week: 12 best personalized teacher gifts
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When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2023?
According to the National Education Association, Teacher Appreciation Week falls on May 8-12, 2023.
An appreciation card
Cards are one of the most straightforward gifts you can buy to show your appreciation, though this doesn't mean they're any less effective at getting the message across. A thoughtful card to show you care can be more than enough, whether it’s from a parent or student. Hallmark has cards for a myriad of occasions, including Teacher Appreciation Week, with a vast selection to choose from.
A mug
One popular gift to show appreciation is a mug. And with as many caffeine-fueled late nights and early mornings teachers have, it's a gift that they're sure to get a lot of mileage out of. There's no shortage of mugs to choose from—two that are particularly cute are these mugs from Amazon, as they both highlight the importance of being a teacher.
$16 from Amazon $15 from Amazon
A planner
With so many dates and deadlines to keep track of, a planner is another gift your favorite teacher is sure to love thanks to the convenience it brings. Inamio's planner features beautiful, rose gold pages and hourly time increments, allowing users to plan their day in detail—it’s the perfect gift to bring a bit of organization into one's life.
Kids artwork
A gift that will warm your child’s teacher’s heart is artwork from their student. Whether it’s a drawing, a painting or a clay creation, they’ll love knowing that their student thought of them enough to make them something special. Beyond this, any teacher will be thrilled to see their student’s creativity flourish.
$17 from Amazon $9 from Amazon $20 from Amazon
Classroom involvement
Teaching is a lot of hard work; not only does it involve instruction, but prep work, organizing the classroom and many other tasks. A surefire way to show your appreciation and earn their appreciation in turn is by helping them where needed. This could mean helping them clean the classroom at the end of the year, helping them buy books for next year or perhaps chaperoning a field trip. The possibilities are endless. Just ask—and your teacher will love the assistance.
A homemade treat
Another gift perfect for a teacher is a delicious treat made in your very own kitchen. Whether you’re baking cookies or cupcakes, even if you’re not the world’s best cook, it’s the thought and effort that counts more than anything. If you’re looking for new tools to get your bake on, we recommend getting our favorite stand mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer. It’s durable, quiet and versatile thanks to its many attachments. If you need a baking sheet, we recommend Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet, which we found to be the best thanks to its versatility, even heat distribution, large size and lightweight.
$350 from Kitchenaid $18 from Wayfair
Thoughtful snacks
If you’re not much of a chef yourself, you can’t go wrong with store-bought chocolate—especially gourmet chocolate. We love the taste of Raaka's unroasted dark chocolate and like any good box of chocolate, Raaka offers a great variety of flavors.
Another route to take is gourmet popcorn. From a tin of movie theater-buttery popcorn to a box of caramel popcorn, the Popcorn Factory has many varieties of popcorn to choose from. This gratitude box even includes ranch popcorn, which we didn't even know was a thing. You'll have to ask the teacher in your life how it tastes for us.
$35 from Amazon $45 from The Popcorn Factory
▶ Related: The best gift basket ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week 2023
Classroom supplies
Another way to help a teacher stay organized is by gifting them supplies for their classroom. A pack of sticky notes can go a long way. They can be used for many things from bookmarks to easily accessible reminders.
Top that off with a healthy supply of pens. Whether they're grading papers or making lesson plans, they go through tons of pens on a daily basis. If you're looking for color variety, one of the best sets you can buy is Paper Mate's Inkjoy assortment. This set has over 6,000 five-star ratings, with buyers loving the color and writing quality.
$10 from Amazon $4 from Amazon
A cute tote bag
Tote bags are the coolest way to carry things around, so if you know a teacher who has to lug around a ton of supplies, we think they'll love this bag from 1-800 Flowers. Better yet, it’s customizable, meaning you can add a message to make the gift personalized. It's machine-washable and will likely last the recipient a long time.
A personalized doormat
A fun doormat is one way to liven up a teacher's classroom. It's sure to brighten their day every time they see it before entering and remind them how much they're appreciated for what they do. This doormat from 1-800 Flowers is available in three sizes and is customizable, allowing you to add two lines of text in addition to the teacher's name.
A thoughtful message
You don’t need a card or a bouquet to send a message. You can write a thoughtful letter to the teacher you know, detailing how much you appreciate all that they do for their students. For an even more heartwarming message, you can try to arrange for their students to record a video message.
A flower bouquet
Another great way to show your appreciation is by gifting a beautiful bouquet of flowers. With 1-800 Flowers, you have many options to choose from, all of which are sure to bring a smile to your teacher's face. You can even buy other assorted plants if you prefer. Many bouquets come with chocolates, stuffed animals or messages for you to send with the flowers.
A gift card
Treat your teach' to something nice with a gift card. Whether your teacher is craving a cup of joe, needs to pick up supplies for the classroom or they’re looking to get their hands on some books, a gift card will certainly help them out.
Shop Starbucks gift cards Shop Staples gift cards Shop Barnes&Noble gift cards
▶ More:The best gift cards to give teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week
A memory book
To commemorate the year your child’s teacher spent with them and their other students, you can coordinate with the other parents to put together a memory book for them. You can fill this memory book with pictures from throughout the year. Remembering all the moments they shared with their students is sure to bring a smile to your teacher’s face.
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As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in the article.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is a week dedicated to showing appreciation to teachers for their contributions in educating and shaping the next generation. It is an opportunity to express gratitude and recognize the hard work and dedication of teachers. According to the National Education Association, Teacher Appreciation Week falls on May 8-12, 2023 .
Appreciation Card
An appreciation card is a simple and thoughtful gift that can be given to show appreciation to a teacher. It is a way to express gratitude and acknowledge the impact they have made. Hallmark offers a wide selection of cards for various occasions, including Teacher Appreciation Week.
Mug
A mug is a popular gift choice to show appreciation to teachers. It is a practical gift, especially considering the long hours teachers often spend working. Amazon offers a variety of mugs that highlight the importance of being a teacher .
Planner
A planner is a useful gift for teachers to help them stay organized and keep track of important dates and deadlines. Inamio's planner, available on Amazon, features rose gold pages and hourly time increments, providing a detailed planning tool.
Kids Artwork
Artwork created by students can be a heartwarming gift for teachers. Whether it's a drawing, painting, or clay creation, teachers appreciate the thought and effort put into these personalized gifts. Amazon offers various art supplies that can be used by students to create their artwork.
Classroom Involvement
One way to show appreciation to teachers is by getting involved in classroom activities and assisting them with tasks. This can include helping clean the classroom, buying books for the next year, or chaperoning field trips. By offering assistance, you can show your appreciation and support for the teacher's work.
Homemade Treat
A homemade treat made in your own kitchen can be a thoughtful gift for a teacher. Whether it's baking cookies or cupcakes, the effort and thought put into the treat are what matter most. If you're looking for baking tools, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer and Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet are recommended options .
Thoughtful Snacks
If you're not skilled in cooking or baking, store-bought gourmet chocolates or gourmet popcorn can be a great alternative. Raaka offers a variety of flavors of unroasted dark chocolate, while The Popcorn Factory offers different types of popcorn, including ranch popcorn.
Classroom Supplies
Gifting classroom supplies can be a practical way to help teachers stay organized. Sticky notes and pens are commonly used items in classrooms. Amazon offers packs of sticky notes and Paper Mate's Inkjoy assortment, which has received positive reviews for its color variety and writing quality.
Cute Tote Bag
A cute tote bag can be a useful gift for teachers who need to carry around supplies. The customizable tote bag from 1-800 Flowers is machine-washable and durable, making it a practical and personalized gift.
Personalized Doormat
A personalized doormat can add a touch of fun and appreciation to a teacher's classroom. The customizable doormat from 1-800 Flowers allows you to add a message and the teacher's name, making it a unique and thoughtful gift.
Thoughtful Message
A thoughtful letter expressing appreciation to a teacher can be a meaningful gift. It allows you to convey your gratitude and acknowledge the impact the teacher has had on their students. Another option is arranging for students to record a video message, which can be a heartwarming surprise .
Flower Bouquet
A beautiful bouquet of flowers is a classic gift to show appreciation. 1-800 Flowers offers a variety of options, including bouquets with chocolates, stuffed animals, or personalized messages.
Gift Card
A gift card can be a versatile gift option, allowing teachers to choose something they need or enjoy. Starbucks, Staples, and Barnes & Noble are some examples of places where you can find gift cards for teachers.
Memory Book
A memory book is a collaborative gift that can be created by coordinating with other parents. It can be filled with pictures from throughout the year, commemorating the time spent with the teacher and their students.
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