What Your Child’s Teacher Really Wants – Tips for Preschool Teacher Appreciation Gifts

May is Teacher Appreciation Month, and there’s no better time than today to start thinking about preschool teacher appreciation gifts. At Denver Preschool Program, we believe that educators are the heart and soul of children’s school experiences. From managing breakdowns and food sensitivities to keeping kids engaged and learning, preschool teachers juggle it all. Most everyone can agree that they deserve thanks and appreciation. Yet, when the time comes to buy a preschool teacher appreciation gift, many families feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of teacher-approved tips and ideas for preschool teacher appreciation gifts for this May and all year long. 

Timing: Make Appreciation Gifts Personal

Showing appreciation isn’t just for the holidays or the end of the school year. A small gift at an unexpected time can really make an impact. Here are a few ideas–outside of traditional holidays or end-of-year–to consider when you are deciding when throughout the year to give gifts. 

• Holidays of Choice: First, if there is a way for you to ask or find out which holidays your child’s preschool teacher celebrates that could make gift giving even more personal. Perhaps they celebrate Diwali in early November or the Lunar New Year in mid-February. Finding out their personal or cultural days of celebration is a personal approach. 
• Exciting Event: Do they have a trip or big event coming up that you could celebrate outside of traditional seasonal events? Did they achieve a new level of training or education? These are great events to show your appreciation and celebrate. 
• Special Support: Has that teacher helped your child through a personal milestone or challenge? These moments can mean the world for families, and by acknowledging your child’s teacher’s role in that growth can be very meaningful. 
• Seasonal Standbys: Holiday breaks, Valentine’s Day, the last day of school, Teacher Appreciation days, birthdays, or other traditional times are always great opportunities to show appreciation. 

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

This is where a lot of families get caught up: Did I give a gift card last year? Does it come off as lazy if I do that again? Should I try to get them something that feels more personal? 

Here’s the truth–any effort you make is appreciated. So, keep it easy for you, and remember, you can never go wrong with a gift card and a kind note. 

Or, get ideas from teachers themselves. The “50+ Best Teacher Gifts in Every Price Range” offers a comprehensive guide to gift giving, compiled from a poll of 120 teachers from across the country. Here a few highlights:

• Amount — The poll showed that spending $5-$10 is normal on a gift or gift card, so you don’t need to break the bank to show your appreciation. 
• Simple Card — Thank-you notes topped the list as the most meaningful and valuable appreciation gift. Enlist your little one to decorate a card. Then have them help you write a personal note thanking their teacher. 
• Crowd Pleaser — Gift cards were the most requested gift. Gift cards to Amazon, Target, Starbucks or Visa were most popular. 
• Surprises — A surprise coffee or breakfast delivery always makes a teacher’s day. Find out each teacher’s coffee order of choice of beverage and deliver it to them on a morning that is unexpected (or particularly hectic for them). Bonus points if you bring more in for the teachers lounge. 
• Self-Care — Rally a few other families together and purchase a spa gift card to add a relaxing touch. The end of the school year might be a great time to offer them a little pampering. Plus, a spa gift card lets them choose their service and maybe even go with friends/colleagues. 

Organizing Classroom or School Gifts for Teachers

So often teachers are responsible, or take it upon themselves, to use their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms. Gifting something that may help with those expenses can be hugely valuable to both teachers and students alike. We recommend asking the preschool teacher or the school for a list of needs, ensuring you deliver the right products that are age-appropriate, safe and will help make things easier on a day-to-day basis. Here are some general ideas:

• Break room or office upgrades — Think about items that your child’s teachers and colleagues could use every day. Does your child’s teachers need a Nespresso to brighten their mornings, or another break room appliance to enhance their lunch breaks? Perhaps some new office chairs, a printer, fresh paint or art for the rooms where they get time to refresh. 
• Classroom Supplies — Schools often send out a wish list to parents during the year for gifts that each classroom needs. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with markers/crayons, paper, label makers, glue sticks/paint, craft supplies, a portable speaker, bulletin boards/white boards or age-appropriate learning toys the whole class can enjoy. 
• Group Gifts — Your child’s school may be in need of a bigger item like playground toys or office equipment. For more expensive items, check with the school or teacher first, of course. These larger items can be great ways to make an expensive gift more affordable by going in with other families to make the purchase together. 

Teacher Appreciation Gifts to Avoid

Think bringing donuts every week is a nice touch? Think again. Teachers are not looking for another item to clutter their desk or sweets throughout the day all the time. Here are a few gifts to avoid:

• Mugs — Most everyone has their own favorite coffee cup or water bottle. 
• Candy — Just like all of us, preschool teachers need energy to get through the day, but non-stop sugar deliveries are typically not at the top of their list.
• Candles or scented lotions — Scent is super personal so this can easily go wrong. 
• Knick-knacks — Avoid anything that may clutter the teacher’s desk or home (unless, of course, they hint they would like something). 

Showing Appreciation to Teachers All Year Long 

We are deeply invested in supporting our providers and educators in and out of the classroom. Read more about our commitment in our blog post, “Appreciating Preschool Providers” and in our impact reports. No matter how small, preschool teacher appreciation gifts show teachers they valued and that you recognize the incredible work they are doing in the lives of our littlest learners.