Yet another school year is almost in the books! But before you think about summer vacation, why not consider giving the teachers in your life end-of-year teacher gifts? They deserve it! Whether you’re a room parent, a fellow teacher, or a parent looking for ideas, we’ve gathered a variety of end-of-year teacher gifts that fit every budget.
To make sure these really are the best gifts, we spoke to 120 teachers to find out what they really want and appreciate most. Some of their top tips?
- Personalize your pick. One second grade teacher advises, “Be intentional with the gift and get things that they like and will actually use. If you were with kids all day what would make you feel good at the end of the day?”
- Ask what they like. Remember that not everyone drinks alcohol or can have sweet treats, so be mindful of likes, dislikes, and preferences. Teacher Amanda Christensen recommends checking with your school office to see if have information, since many of them have teachers fill out questionnaires at the beginning of each year.
- Go simple. Teachers really just want to know they’ve done their jobs well. One teacher notes that one of her favorite end of year gifts was “a handwritten note from a student telling me what she loved about my classroom and enjoyed during the year.”
With those tips in mind, here are some of the best end of year teacher gifts that educators say they’d truly enjoy receiving.
Best End of Year Teacher Gifts for 2024
The best gifts are heart-felt, so you can’t go wrong with a personalized note. For even more impact, add a gift card to a favorite restaurant or store.
Personalized Thank-You Note
“One of the teacher gifts that made me feel most appreciated is handwritten thank-you notes or cards from students,” shares a Texas math teacher. “The heartfelt words written by students convey deep appreciation and warmth, which makes me feel truly valued and encouraged.” In fact, most teachers we surveyed say they appreciate a handwritten thank-you note over just about anything else.
ADVERTIsem*nT
You don’t need to get fancy, but if you want to add a little something extra, you could buy one of these awesome greeting cards for teachers or use these printable thank-you cards for teachers to express your message.
Top 5 Teacher Gift Card Picks
When we ask real educators about the best gifts for teachers, the number-one answer is always the same: gift cards. We surveyed more than 350 teachers to find out what their most-wanted gift cards are. Here are their top five choices; see the full list of teacher gift card picks here.
Free Printable Gift Card Holders
Want to make your gift card feel a little more personal? Add a holder with a note to the teacher. Our free printable gift card holders are themed to match your cards! There are options for Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and any other gift card you choose.
Get it: Free Printable Gift Card Holders
Edible End of Year Teacher Gifts
Have lunch or coffee delivered
Teachers like Christina H. love “food or drinks to enjoy during the school day (a breakfast taco, a coffee, a drink).” Ask their preferences and take orders in advance. Then bring teachers lunch or a delicious pick-me-up on a day and time that works best for them..
No time to do your own deliveries? That’s why Grubhub and DoorDash exist!
Crumbl Cookies
California fifth grade teacher Nancy Cowan was once wowed by a gift of custom-decorated sugar cookies. Another great option is that iconic Crumbl Cookie pastel pink box, full of the most decadent cookies around. No store near you? Crumbl Cookies ships nationwide!
Buy it: Crumbl Cookies at Crumbl
Godiva Truffles
You usually can’t go wrong with chocolate. But if you really want to make them feel special, splurge on a gourmet option like Godiva. “Quality over quantity!” advises one Utah English teacher.
Buy it: Godiva Chocolatier Patisserie Dessert Truffles at Amazon
Edible Arrangement
Healthy snacks can be delicious (and beautiful) too! Edible Arrangements are always popular, and they offer lots of yummy treats that are good for you too.
Buy it: Thank You Delicious Fruit at Edible Arrangements
Dinner and a Movie Gift Cards
Treat your teacher to a fun night out with this all-in-one set, which gives them gift cards for movie tickets and a meal at one of several participating restaurants.
Buy it: Dinner and a Movie Gift Cards at Amazon
Teacher Gifts to Celebrate School Year Memories
Why You’re the Best Teacher Ever Book
Teachers love looking back over the best parts of any school year. Your child can fill it out on their own, adding illustrations if they like. Or for a truly special teacher gift, coordinate with other parents to have each kid in the class contribute a page. That’s a keepsake that a teacher will treasure forever!
Buy it:Why You’re the Best Teacher Ever Journal at Amazon
Class Photo Collage
Got classroom photos? Why not make them into a custom photo keepsake for your teacher? It’s like a Zoom session for the wall!
Buy it:Apple for the Teacher at Minted
Personalized Reel Viewer
Older teachers will especially love this one, with its cool retro appeal. Gather up a selection of photos with all their best teacher memories, and get a custom set of ViewMaster cards to cherish forever.
Buy it: Personalized Reel Viewer at Uncommon Goods
Memento Video or Album
Elementary language arts teacher Kristi B. never felt more appreciated than when she received a video of each of her students sharing a special message just for her. A collaborative video or digital album is one of the sweetest, most personal teacher gifts you can give. But they can be really time-consuming to put together. That’s where Memento comes in. This online platform helps you easily assemble everything you need, then put it together into one super gift.
Buy it: Memento Video or Album
Thumbprint Art
How cute is this idea? Each student contributes their thumbprint to make an uplifting keepsake for their teacher.
Buy it: Thumbprint Art at Etsy
End of Year Teacher Gifts for Summer Fun and Relaxation
Comfy Teacher Socks
As the socks say: “This teacher is off-duty!” Pair them with some yummy treats or a Starbucks gift card for an afternoon of relaxation.
Buy it: HAPPYPOP Teacher Socks at Amazon
Spa Gift Card
Time to kick up their feet and relax! With this gift card, teachers can choose the services they are interested in and can use it at spas found nationally. (Check to make sure you have a location near you that accepts the gift card.)
Buy it: Spafinder Gift Card at Amazon
Beach-Ready Tote
Texas first-grade teacher MQ loved this gift: “A beach bag full of summer fun that I still l use—towel, sunscreen, travel tumbler, and canned drinks.” When they’re not at the beach, the tote can double as an extra teacher bag.
Buy it: Dejaroo Mesh Sand-Free Beach Tote at Amazon
Picnic Blanket
At the beach, the park, or the top of a mountain, this foldable picnic blanket is perfect for enjoying warm summer picnics or a cozy nap outdoors.
Buy it: Picnic Blanket at Amazon
Five-Minute Journal
As summer days begin, teachers can use this journal to reflect on the year past, plan for the year to come, and just take time to enjoy the sweet summer days in between.
Buy it: Five-Minute Journal at Amazon
LEGO Flowers
Real Teacher Story: “I received a Lego house built to resemble a school with a figurine that represented me and a dinosaur to represent the student who built it.” So personal and fun!
If you want to give teachers a relaxing activity they’ll enjoy themselves, consider a set of LEGO flowers. Designed just for adults, these sets are popular and make amazing classroom decorations.
Buy it: LEGO Orchid at Amazon
100 Hikes of a Lifetime
If your teacher loves to get out into nature, a book like this is a terrific end of year gift. It gives them ideas for summer hikes, now and for years to come!
Buy it: 100 Hikes of a Lifetime at Amazon
Golf Balls
When you know your teacher plans to spend their summer days on the links, golf balls are a perfect gift. These are well-reviewed but not too pricey, making them a terrific pick.
Buy it: TaylorMade Distance+ Golf Balls at Amazon
Audible Membership
Give a lit-loving teacher plenty of audiobooks to enjoy during their much-deserved downtime. Audible gift memberships are available from one month to a year, so there are teacher gift options for all price ranges.
Buy it: Audible Gift Membership at Amazon
Airbnb Gift Cards
Summer vacation means a chance to travel! An Airbnb gift card lets teachers put money toward any kind of stay they like, from luxury treehouses to someplace with amazing city views.
Buy it: Airbnb Gift Card at Amazon
More Terrific End of Year Teacher Gifts
Custom Teacher Sign
Classroom decorations like a personal sign can make a fun gift, especially if you make or commission something truly unique. We love this light-up book sign, which is terrific for any kind of teacher.
Buy it: Neon Book Sign at Etsy
Flowers
If you’ve got a garden, put together your own bouquet. Otherwise, brighten a teacher’s day with beautiful blooms from Bouqs. Choose from a variety of sizes and styles. These flowers are sourced directly from farmers who use sustainable growing practices like minimizing waste and recycling water.
Buy it: Farmer’s Choice Bouquet at Bouqs
Lovepop Bouquet
Want something that will last longer than cut flowers? Lovepop’s thank-you cards are all terrific, and their pop-up paper bouquets will last long after Teacher Appreciation Week is over. These are keepsakes they can display for ages.
Buy it: Sunflower Thank You Bundle at Lovepop
Personalized Whistle
Whether it’s for playground duty or a stellar P.E. teacher, this custom whistle is such a fun (and affordable) little end of year teacher gift!
Buy it: Personalized Whistle at Etsy
Teacher Bracelet
We love that this bracelet set is equally cute and affordable. Bonus: It will make your child’s heart swell with pride when they see their beloved teacher wearing it!
Buy it: Teacher Bracelet at Amazon
Personalized Library Stamp
Teachers build their classroom libraries with loving care. Help them keep their selections from disappearing with a personalized stamp like this one. Real teacher review: “This stamp is very sturdy. I have had other custom stamps fall apart after a long session of classroom library building, but this is still going strong.” (See more teacher stamps we love here.)
Buy it: Self-Inking Teacher Library Stamp at Amazon
Succulent Planter
Give them an easy-care succulent in a personalized planter for a thoughtful gift that lasts. You can pick up a succulent at the grocery store or local nursery to pop into this cute little pot.
Buy it: Personalized Succulent Planter at Etsy
Customized Notepads
Teachers jot a lot of notes, to students, parents, co-workers and more. A personalized set of notepads is a useful teacher gift that’s always appreciated.
Buy it: Notepads at Amazon
Need more end of year teacher gift ideas? We’ve got so many options!
- Best Teacher Gifts
- Best Personalized Teacher Gifts
- Best PE Teacher Gifts
- Best Art Teacher Gifts
- Best Music Teacher Gifts
- Best Gifts for Paraprofessionals and School Support Staff
- Best Gifts for Librarians
- Best Gift for Bus Drivers
- Best Gifts for Male Teachers
- Best Kindergarten Teacher Gifts
- Best Preschool Teacher Gifts
- Best Principal Gifts
- Best Teacher Appreciation Gifts
- Best Retirement Gifts for Teachers
- Best Coworker Gifts for Educators
- The Best Teacher Tees on Amazon
- Cute Teacher Jewelry
- Best Teacher Lanyards
- Favorite Teacher Bags
- Favorite Teacher Stamps
- Teachers’ Favorite Gift Cards
