Today: say thank you ♥
Christmas gift ideas for teachers
Thank-yous for the grown-up who taught me so much this year.
A note for grown-ups
Good Christmas gifts for teachers are useful in the classroom or made just for them: fresh supplies, a warm mug, a gift card they can spend their way. And a thank-you note in your child's own words belongs with every one of them.
Things I can make
Homemade gifts carry the most heart. A grown-up can help with the tricky parts.
A thank-you note in my own words
I'll say what I really mean. There's a starter below if I get stuck.
Get the note starter ↓A drawing of our class
Everybody's in it. Even the class goldfish.
An ornament with this year on it
So my teacher remembers our class every December.
Cookies we bake at home
A grown-up helps, and we write the ingredients on the tag for allergies.
A list of my favorite class moments
Story time, the science fair, the day it snowed at recess.
A class book
Everyone in class makes one page about our teacher.
A poster we all sign
Every name in our class, in every color we have.
Things we can buy
Me and a grown-up, together. Small is perfect.
For our classroom
- A book for the class library. One I love, with a note from me inside the cover.
- New markers or colored pencils. Ours are mostly out of ink by December.
- Stickers and reward stamps. For all the little wins, all year long.
- Tissues and hand sanitizer. Very useful in sniffle season. A ribbon makes it a present.
- A board game for indoor recess. For rainy days and snowy days.
- A plant for the classroom. We'll all take turns watering it.
Just for my teacher
- A warm mug or tumbler. Coffee that stays hot through a busy morning.
- A bookstore or coffee shop gift card. So they can pick exactly what they like.
- A sturdy tote bag. For carrying all our papers home.
- Hand cream. Lots of handwashing, and cold winter air.
- Cozy socks. For winter break, with their feet up.
- A set of nice pens. For writing “Great job!” on my work.
From our whole class
- A group gift card. Every family adds what they can. Nobody has to give a set amount.
- Lunch on the last day before break. A favorite lunch, delivered to the classroom.
Need more ideas? Ask Santa about my teacher.
My thank-you note
Copy it, fill in the blanks my way, and sign my own name.
Dear ____________,
Thank you for ____________.My favorite thing we did this year was ____________.You make me feel ____________ when you ____________.I hope you have a merry Christmas!
Love, ____________
Writing a card too? Santa's Christmas card messages
Take-home folder: questions grown-ups ask
How much should you spend on a teacher's Christmas gift?
There's no set amount. Many families give something small, or join a class group gift so everyone can add what they can. Some schools have rules about gifts for staff, so it's worth checking first.
What do teachers really want for Christmas?
Things they can use, things they can choose for themselves, like a gift card, and kind words. A note from your child in their own words costs nothing and says the most.
Are gift cards a good gift for teachers?
Yes. A gift card to a bookstore, coffee shop or school supply store lets a teacher pick what they need. Check your school's gift policy first, and add a note from your child.
Should we give gifts to aides and other school staff?
It's a kind thought. A card or small treat for aides, the school nurse, the front office or the bus driver lets them know their care is noticed.
What should my child write in a thank-you note to a teacher?
Something specific: a favorite lesson, a book they read together, or a moment that made them laugh. Keep it short and let them sign it themselves.
And while we're here: make my wishlist for Santa or write Santa a letter.