End of Year Gifts Teachers Will Actually Be Excited About
Another school year has gone by, and we can all agree that these days more than ever, teachers deserve a little extra love! If you’re struggling to think of the best way to honor your child’s teacher after an amazing—and challenging—year, we’re here to help. Take a look at our eight (ultra punny) gift ideas.
$15 AND UNDER
BEARY GOOD TEACHER:
We all know that teacher with a sweet tooth! Honor the sugar lover in your child’s life with a gigantic tub of gummy bears from The Fresh Market that really needs no introduction. Simply tie a bow around the plastic packaging and you’re golden!
NO MORE MONKEYING AROUND:
Ahh, finally, your child’s teacher can enjoy a day free of reading groups and playground duty! Whether she’s an experienced baker or is just getting comfortable in the kitchen, she’ll enjoy whipping up this Sur La Table monkey bread on a lazy summer afternoon at home.
$20 AND UNDER
YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE:
A candle is an excellent pick for a teacher or tutor who hasn’t said as much about their hobbies and interests. This one from World Market smells divine and is great for summer. Plus, summertime means that teachers will finally be spending more time at home, so they deserve a little something to make their place extra fabulous.
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR:
School supplies, but make ‘em cute! Now that the school year is winding down, your child’s teacher has likely run through his stash of notepads and colorful highlighters, so this gift will help him get ready for the fall in style. This pairing—featuring highlighters from Red Orchard and a pad from Paper Source—is proof that practical presents certainly don’t have to be boring.
$30 AND UNDER
YOU’RE A GEM:
Dazzle the fashion-forward teacher with a trendy bracelet she’ll love to wear out and about this summer. This one from Scout & Molly’s is easy to dress up or down.
$50 AND UNDER
FAVORITE TEA-CHER:
A cute mug and a nice tin full of tea packets is pretty much a universally loved gift, but we think it’s especially great for teachers! Why? Your child’s instructor will appreciate having an extra cup to keep on her desk during the school year, and the tea tin (which is surely too pretty to throw away!) can be repurposed to store paper clips and other classroom essentials when it’s empty. We snagged this mug at Paper Source and the tea at Red Orchard.
R&R AHEAD:
Let’s face it: After Zoom school, IRL school, masked school, and just…regular school, your child’s teacher is most definitely in need of some R&R. If you’re looking to treat her to some pampering without shelling out major cash on a spa gift card, we’ve got you covered. This at-home spa kit features all the relaxation essentials: a weighted eye mask (Paper Source), along with cuticle cream, a bold lip color, bathtub rose petals, and a bath bomb (all from TJMaxx).
YOU’RE TOO SWEET:
There’s nothing wrong with going the simple route when it comes to teacher gifts! A box of chocolates never disappointed anybody, after all. Louis Sherry is known for its delectable goodies and fantastic packaging—we can’t think of a classier way to say thank you than with one of these boxes, which are available at Red Orchard.
TEACHING ME OLIVE THE THINGS:
The end of the school year is a wonderful opportunity to give your child’s teacher something that he may not otherwise buy for himself. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are perfect for the teacher who loves to entertain or is always experimenting in the kitchen. These bottles from Sur La Table will look beautiful displayed on the countertop, too.
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and interior design enthusiast who currently lives in Washington, DC. Her work has appeared on websites including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest Clever, Lonny, and MyDomaine. Additionally, Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @sarahlyon9.
