Four types of gifts to give your kids’ teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week, and one thing to avoid, according to Dallas-Fort Worth-based educators.
For some reason, Teacher Appreciation Week always sneaks up on me. The special week to honor your kids’ teachers is May 4 to 8, and with two kids in school and one in pre-K, it can get overwhelming fast. (Don’t even get me started on the time I accidentally gave the gifts—including personalized notes—to the wrong teachers!)
This year, I’m planning ahead—with the help of real teachers based in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Even though it seems like every store has its own “teacher” section, complete with pencil paper plates and “best teacher” mugs, it turns out that most educators don’t want those gimmicky items. Instead, they prefer heartfelt cards and simple gestures to show how much you care about them and the hours they put into teaching and loving your kids all year.
I interviewed several DFW-area teachers to learn more about what they actually want this Teacher’s Appreciation Day, and their answers were insightful.
1. Letters of appreciation
In general, the Dallas-Fort Worth-area teachers I talked to appreciated two things most: handwritten notes and gift cards, rather than physical items (especially mugs!). You can literally use a blank sheet of paper for this, or stock up on colorful and cute thank-you cards, like these.
“Gifts of any kind are always appreciated…but genuine heartfelt notes from students and/or parents are the things that fill my cup the most,” one DFW teacher said. Another told me, “I keep a binder of handwritten notes from all my years of teaching. My very favorite gift of all.” How sweet is that?
Many teachers echoed this sentiment, adding that artwork by a student in lieu of a note is also great.
And, if you want to go the extra mile, praise the teacher in an email to their school administration. A Rockwall ISD teacher said, “I love when a parent sends me a really nice note telling me how much they appreciate me, and copies my admin on it.”
2. Gift cards—in any amount
If you do have the funds to add a gift card, it will go a long way. Don’t think of gift cards as impersonal; teachers spend a lot of extra time and money on students, and always appreciate it when you can help cover one of their costs. (Even if it’s just $5.)
One DFW teacher revealed, “Honestly, I spend a lot of time at work, supporting student events and working way longer hours than my contract entails. Sometimes it’s nice to have fast food gift cards so I can stop for a bite to eat when I’m running from one event to the next or pulling a long night or early morning at work.”
Specifically, one teacher from Dallas ISD would love any gift card that she could use to “pamper herself,” like for a spa day or manicure; gifts that would give her “a night out with my husband,” like a restaurant or mini golf gift card; or a Visa gift card that can be used for practically anything.
Other teachers prefer gift cards that are “more general” for a wide array of needs, like something from Target or Walmart. “I get SO MANY Starbucks gift cards, but I don’t drink coffee or tea or really anything other than water,” the Rockwall ISD teacher explained. (Hint: if they filled out a “favorite things” list at the beginning of the year, you can always check what type of restaurants and stores they prefer.)
3. An item from their Amazon Wish List
If you do want to get an actual item, rather than a gift card, check your classroom’s Amazon Wish List for specific ideas, another DFW-area teacher told me. My sons’ teachers have everything from disinfecting wipes to classroom prizes that are easy and affordable.
Of course, if you don’t have their wish list on hand, you can just do an Amazon gift card. Like this DFW-based teacher said: “Amazon gift cards alwayssss.”
4. Gifts that don’t last long (yes, really!)
Teachers can collect a lot of things from their students over the years, so sometimes the best gift is something perishable that they can enjoy for a short time, then discard.
A Forney ISD teacher revealed, “I love gift cards, hand-written cards from the student and/or the family, pictures drawn, flowers, and non-homemade food items.”
I always love giving a little succulent as well, which doesn’t require too much TLC to keep alive. You could also go with their favorite candy and beverage, if you know it. If you don’t, try asking your kids, as mine have picked up on little things that their teachers like. One of my sons previously told me his teacher “always has a Diet Coke,” and my other son said his teacher loves “any type of chocolate.”
5. What to stay away from
Most teachers appreciate anything they’re given during Teacher Appreciation Week; however, if they had a choice, there are definitely some gifts they would prefer not to receive. For example, tumblers or mugs are not the best gift, as teachers often get “a lot of them,” according to a Rockwall ISD educator.
A Forney ISD teacher told me that they don’t want “anything that says teacher, cups/mugs, candles, and random bath products or lotions, unless you know my favorite.” So, stay away from that whole section next time you go shopping!
“In the moment, I am grateful for anything gifted, but I would hate for someone to spend money on an item that ends up in a drawer unused,” the Forney ISD teacher added. And wouldn’t you rather get them something they could actually use and appreciate?
A former Rockwall ISD teacher explained it like this: “I was always so thankful to receive anything from families because they went out of their way to be kind!” Still, she would rather not get any more cups or mugs because she received so many. “While I absolutely love them, I have run out of space for them,” the teacher added.
At the end of the day, the thought is truly what counts when it comes to gift-giving. Teachers are so amazing, and they will appreciate any thoughtful gift you want to give them—especially if it comes from the heart!
