“The exception to [not giving large gifts] though, is for new teachers. These young pups make crap for money and the PTA (bless their hearts) can’t possibly provide a big enough classroom budget for them to buy all the supplies and ”extras” (that’s sarcasm) they need. So if you want to give your teacher a valuable gift, ask her/him what s/he really needs for the classroom and spring for it. I’m talking heavy duty pencil sharpeners, gift certificate to STAR Teacher’s supply on San Pablo Ave., art supplies from East Bay Depot or gift card to an art store, a local book store (Pegasus and Black Oak being my favorites). Things like this become theirs, not the school’s, and they can bring them from grade to grade, school to school, as they will have to do until they have enough seniority to stay somewhere for a while.”       ~Teacher in California

So that’s the upshot — be as generous as you can to the new teachers!!! An Old Teacher Who Once Was New

New teachers might appreciate a different kind of gift than experienced veterans. Of course this varies from teacher to teacher, but at risk of over-generalizing, new teachers tend to be more interested in developing their careers, and may be more likely to keep homemade gifts than more experienced teachers.

Of course new teachers are also generally younger, and that will affect their interests. For example, a younger teacher might prefer a trip to the spa, a unique experience, and anything that will help them in their professional development (books, supplies, etc.). On the other hand, those home-baked brownies might be less welcome for the young teacher on a diet, and that “#1 Teacher” broach — well, she probably won’t even know how to wear it.

Most importantly, keep in mind the advice I gave on choosing a gift for teachers — the best gifts combine something personal and thoughtful, like a handmade card, a heartfelt note, a craft made by your child, etc. with something practical and useful, like gift cards, school supplies, or other consumables. Whether a gift for new teachers or old, following this recipe will ensure your gift is appreciated and cherished.

Some Suggestions for Gifts for New Teachers:

• Book: Reluctant Disciplinarian
  For some reason new teachers are always the most reluctant disciplinarians– I know I certainly was. To help them find the right balance in an unruly classroom, consider this book as a great gift for new teachers!
• Book: The Creative Teacher
  These are the kinds of lessons that any new teacher can put to use– a gift that’s both appreciated and beneficial for her students!
• Book: First Year Teacher Survival Guide
  I would get this as a gift for any friends who go into teaching — and you should too!
• Teacher’s Water Bottle
  Everyone likes these cool stylish water bottles — they are hip and environmentally friendly, just like new teachers!
• Book: 101 Answers for New Teachers
  Because even teachers need the answer sometimes! Great christmas gift for a new teacher.
• Give the gift of spa! Shop SpaFinder.com
  A visit to the spa is appreciated by nearly all women I know, but is a particularly good gift for younger female teachers.
• Book: 101 Answers for New Teachers
  Everything a new teacher needs.
• Experience Day
  Here’s a unique gift that definitely won’t be taking up space in the back of the closet: Experience Days from Great American Days allow you to treat a teacher to something that they otherwise might not be able to try: a day at the spa, a surfing lesson, cooking lessons, etc. There’s something for everyone, from Great White Shark diving to Biplane Flights. A day of adventure makes a great gift for new teachers.
• Book: The Truth About Teaching
  Finally, someone spills the beans and admits what teaching is really like!
• Citrus Spa Pampering Kit
  What teacher couldn’t use a little pampering from time to time? Great gift for Teacher Appreciation Week!
• Gift Cards for Less than Face Value!
  Gift cards are always the most-requested gift from all of the teachers I spoke with — both new teachers and experienced veterans. Consider buying your Gift Cards from Plastic Jungle — you’ll pay less, and they’ll ship it to you for free!
• Book: Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire
  New teachers can always use something to help them with their teaching, and this story of inspiring teacher Rafe Esquith is both motivation and practical lessons any teacher can use.

New Teachers, What Gifts Would You Like This Year?

If you are a new teacher, please take this opportunity to tell us what gifts you would like to receive. You can leave a comment in the box below, and I’ll make sure to add your comments to the site, where it can benefit new teachers everywhere. Thank you!

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The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a gift for a teacher is to consider their interests. Even if you’ve never met them personally and have only seen their classroom once on Parent-Teacher Night (you did go to Parent Teacher Night, right?), there’s still a lot you can infer to help you in choosing the right gift.

For example, does the teacher display many handmade decorations around her classroom? Does she have prominent bookshelves, and if so, what kinds of books are on display? Ask your child what kinds of personal information the teacher has shared– for example, if she mentions going to the movies, you might get a gift certificate to the local cinema. If she talks about travel to Europe, a picture book for her favorite destination would probably be appreciated.

Whatever you choose as a gift for a female teacher, make sure you don’t forget the most important part: a genuine and heartfelt note of appreciation thanking the teacher for their work. They will treasure this note for years to come, and that’s the greatest gift you could give a teacher!

Last but not least, make sure you’re aware of school guidelines on gift-giving, and the teacher’s perspective on gifts, as discussed on my Advice page.

Gift Ideas for a Female Teacher

If you’re looking for some more concrete suggestions, I recommend starting with my list of Recommended Gifts for Teachers. I also have another list specifically for teacher Christmas gifts, and one with suggested gifts for new teachers.

And here a few specific gifts for female teachers, if you’re really looking for something that is particularly good for women (in general, of course!):
Ladies, I apologize in advance if the gifts on this page seem a bit stereotypically feminine. As I mention above, elsewhere on this site you’ll find ideas which will work for all teachers, including woman. So I decided to make this page about gifts that are most likely appropriate only for women.

• Therepe Spa Candle Gift Set
  Perfect gift for a teacher who could use a bit of relaxation!
• Give the gift of spa! Shop SpaFinder.com
  A visit to the spa is appreciated by nearly all women I know, but is a particularly good gift for younger female teachers.
• Therepe Soy Candles
  These scented candles from Therepe are soy-based, meaning no harmful petroleum products are used, and they burn up to 10 times longer than conventional candles!
• Apple Pendant Jewelry for Teacher
  For the truly special teacher, this pendant makes a gift that they will never forget!
• Make a Donation in their Honor
  Here’s a great gift idea: Make a donation on behalf of the teacher to an organization that you know they would like to support. Include a note telling them how they inspire you with the good work that they do.
• A Day at the Spa
  A trip to the spa is a luxury that few teachers can afford on their own. But how many would like it? Ummm, pretty much all of them could use that kind of relaxation!
• Gingerbread Cookie-scented Bath and Body Kit
  A very unique Christmas gift for female teacher!
• Apple for the Teacher Bookmark
  Never has a teacher enjoyed an apple this much! Great gift for female teachers.
• Gingerbread Cookie-scented Bath and Body Kit
  Like a day at the spa, but in one low-priced gift basket!
• Gingerbread Cookie-scented Bath and Body Kit
  Female teachers in particular will love the treats in this reasonably-priced gift basket.
• Citrus Spa Pampering Kit
  What teacher couldn’t use a little pampering from time to time? Great gift for Teacher Appreciation Week!
• Gift Cards for Less than Face Value!
  If you’re still not finding inspiration with this list of gifts for teachers, you can always go for the old standby: gift cards! Gift cards are honestly a very welcome gift from all the teachers I spoke with — it’s not like your buying for your S.O. and need to demonstrate how well you know them. With teachers it’s likely and normal that you don’t actually know them well, which is one major reason that gift cards are so popular. Consider getting your gift cards from Plastic Jungle so that you can buy them at less than face value!

Teachers, help us make this list better!

Are you a woman and a teacher! Well, you’re in luck! In the brief moment that it takes to make a comment on the bottom of this post, you have the opportunity to help your fellow teachers everywhere by informing well-intentioned but clueless parents what it is that you really would like to receive as a gift. I’ll make sure your comments are added to this post!

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For example, that trip to the spa may not make such a good gift anymore. “Old favorites” like ornaments, pins, decorations, candles, lotion, etc. are similarly less suited for a male teacher than a female teacher (in general).

Perhaps the biggest challenge is that male teachers are (again, speaking in generalities here) often less likely to be very sentimental about handmade gifts and purely symbolic gifts (“#1 Teacher”, etc.) — in general, men prefer something useful.

Fortunately, there are a number of great gifts for male teachers that you can get which are quite useful and will still allow you to express your creativity and personality.

Suggested Gifts for a Male Teacher

• Teacher’s Water Bottle
  Everyone likes these cool stylish water bottles — might as well have one that shows you’re proud to be a teacher!
• Book: New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons
  Apparently teachers are a source of great humor for the witty intellectuals at the New Yorker.
• Personalized M&Ms!
  Sweet gift idea for the creative chocolate-lover: personalized M&Ms! Personalize with school logo, name, teacher’s name — even pictures of the students in your class!
• Book: I Remember My Teacher
  David Shribman’s quest to explore the role teachers have played in the lives of ordinary people (one for every day of the year) will warm the heart of any teacher.
• Gift Cards for Less than Face Value!
  Plastic Jungle is one of those ideas so simple and brilliant you wish you’d thought of it: people sell their unwanted gift cards for less than face value; you can therefore buy a great gift card for a teacher at less than its cash value! The recipient doesn’t know that you got a great deal (although I hope they wouldn’t mind anyway!), and you get a lot more bang for your buck.
• Teacher’s Coffee Mug
  Coffee mugs are a popular gift for a reason: everyone can use more coffee mugs! This one stands out with a unique hand-painted sculpted ceramic design.
• Teachers Rule Coffee Mug
  Another cute coffee mug gift for teachers. This can be personalized with your child’s name, teacher’s name, class year, etc — it just takes a little (non-toxic) paint and a little patience!
• Teacher’s Movie Night
  How about a movie night that helps remind them what a huge impact teachers make on the world? Pair a few great teaching DVDs with a basket of popcorn and a thank-you card.
• Tea for Teacher Mug Gift Set
  If you don’t feel like putting together a homemade gift mug for your teacher, you can buy one ready-made that will look just like a homemade gift for only a few dollars more.

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