Teacher Appreciation Gifts (For Underpaid Heroes)
Underpaid. Undervalued. Definitely undersupplied. They deserve better than another apple mug.
Why This Matters
Teachers spend their own money on supplies, manage 25+ personalities at once, and somehow teach the next generation while dealing with budget cuts and endless standardized tests. They've seen kids eat glue, mediated playground drama, and stayed late to help struggling students. Teacher Appreciation Week (first full week of May) is our chance to acknowledge that these people are doing impossible work for not nearly enough recognition or compensation. Skip the generic stuff—they've seen enough apple-themed gifts to last a lifetime.
Gift Ideas
- +A 'Thanks for Not Losing Your Mind' certificate
- +Coffee/wine/whatever gets them through grading
- +Self-care items for after-school recovery
- +A 'No, YOUR Child' stress ball
- +Gift cards because they'll just spend cash on classroom supplies anyway
Perfect For
- Your kid's teacher who goes above and beyond
- The teacher friend who texts you horror stories
- Educators dealing with impossible circumstances
- Anyone who chose to teach despite... everything
Get First Access
Get Teacher Appreciation gifts that actually appreciate teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Teacher Appreciation Week?
- The first full week of May, with Teacher Appreciation Day falling on the Tuesday. Don't sleep on this one—teachers notice who remembers and who doesn't.
- What gifts do teachers actually want?
- Gift cards (seriously), anything for self-care, quality coffee/wine, and things they can actually use. They have enough mugs and apple paperweights to last three lifetimes.
- How much should I spend on a teacher gift?
- Whatever you can afford, honestly. $10-25 is common, but a heartfelt note with specifics about how they helped your kid means more than price tags.
- Should I give gifts to all my kid's teachers or just their main one?
- Up to you and your budget. If you can swing it, acknowledge the specialists too—art teachers, music teachers, and aides are often forgotten but work just as hard.