Teacher Appreciation Gifts 101: Ideas for Back to School & End of Year

Teachers put up with a lot. Like, a lot. An apple may be the quintessential gift for teachers, but when you consider how much work they put in, it doesn’t quite cut it. The people who help shape our children’s development deserve more. Ideally, we’d thank them every day. Since that doesn’t always happen, let’s make up for the days we miss with a special teacher appreciation gift.

There are tons of ways to say thank you. Whether you’re an administrator looking to convey your appreciation for your hardworking team, a teacher who’d like to send out a gift to your fellow compatriots, or a parent who’s grateful for everything your child is learning, there are custom teacher appreciation gifts to make the instructors in your life feel seen and valued.

Getting your teacher gifts in bulk doesn’t mean they have to be impersonal. On the contrary, you can design personalized gifts that will work for every teacher on your list. Here are a few teacher gift ideas to get your inspiration flowing:

Ideas for Back-to-School Teacher Gifts

Start the year off right with back-to-school teacher gifts. As the halls fill back up with life, students look forward to packed calendars full of events. For teachers, it’s a time spent trying to meet shifting curriculum standards and creating months of lesson plans. Needless to say, this can be daunting. Letting them know you care with a back-to-school teacher appreciation gift will have an extra-positive impact this time of year. Plus, every teacher could use more supplies around back-to-school season. For the best personalized teacher gift ideas, keep your teacher’s needs in mind.

1. But First…Coffee Mug

Teachers need lots of coffee and water to get through long days. Getting them a Customized Stainless Steel Gripper Bottle ensures they’ll get plenty of use out of their present. The stainless steel exterior with non-slip silicone grip means it won’t break or spill easily. And we know that’s a plus for busy teachers in sometimes chaotic classrooms. Personalize these teacher appreciation gifts with the name of the school, or an encouraging message.

2. Give the Gift of Color (Pencils)

If you want to give a gift that will be fun for the whole class, the 8 Piece Colored Pencil Art Set in Case includes a notepad, so teachers can hand out colorful notes. Adding an imprint of the school’s logo would make this a great back-to-school teacher appreciation gift.

3. Just In Case

No teacher likes constantly having to buy more pens. Help them keep track of their supplies with a Zippered Pencil Case. Personalize these cases with colorful imprints of the school mascot or slogan. This back-to-school teacher appreciation gift can hold all sorts of things, which makes it useful in and out of the classroom.

4. Because They Mean the World to You

The best teachers in the world deserve the best classroom gifts. Give the teachers at your school a fun gift that they can actually teach with. Students are sure to stay engaged with a 16” Globe Beach Ball being tossed around. Customize this teacher gift with the school name or mascot for a personal touch.

Ideas for End of Year Teacher Gifts

Ready to thank teachers for a job well done? It’s a sentimental time for students and teachers alike. A gift this time of year gives teachers something they can hold onto to remember the impact they had on their students. Cap off another great year with meaningful end of year teacher gifts.

1. Pack It Up

Give teacher gifts that can be used as much over summer as during the school year. The High Line Backpack customized with the school’s logo will certainly help teachers to carry their load. If you want to give end of year teacher gifts that they can pile papers, supplies, and maybe even their lunch into, go with the Nantucket Cotton Tote. Customize it with the school name so that everywhere your teachers go, they can be promoting the great work they do at school.

2. And the Award Goes To…

You know your teachers are the best. Make sure they know too. Custom certificate holders like the Portrait Folder have aluminum foil imprints for an elegant touch that’s perfect for a teacher appreciation gift. If you are an administrator looking to show how much you value your teachers, give their end of year awards in sleeves that feel significant.

3. After a Picture Perfect Year

Framing the year in a positive light just got easier. Hand off class photos in an Aluminum Photo Frame. Personalized with the school name, this frame will highlight what makes the job worth it—the students’ smiling faces.

With personalized teacher appreciation gifts, you can make sure that each teacher feels their work is recognized. And really, that’s the best gift of all. Share your teacher appreciation gifts or school logo items with us on Facebook and Instagram to inspire others. Class dismissed!