4 Creative, Low-Cost Ways to Thank a Teacher

When I was a teacher, the gifts I appreciated the most were not the ones that were the fanciest or most expensive. They were the ones that were more personal and, if I was lucky enough, homemade—like the personalized clipboard one of my kindergartners gave me, which still makes me smile today (you can see a well-loved part of it above).

If homemade is not in your family tradition (or just not your talent), there are plenty of other ways to say thanks without breaking the bank or keeping you up late at night. Here are four of them:

1. Write a note from the heart

Recognizing your child’s teacher with a simple note and thanking them for what they have done for you and your child can go a long way. Get specific. Maybe the teacher helped you establish a homework routine, said something that made a positive impression on your child, or took extra time to teach weekly spelling words. Tell that story.

Even better, ask your child to write the note themselves. Younger students can draw a picture of something they appreciate their teacher has done for them. Maybe it was helping them write their name or learn to tie their shoes. These can be a stand-alone or accompany a small gift. Teachers treasure these notes for years to come.

2. Share a part of your home

Maybe there is a traditional dish or recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation in your family, or a cookie or bread recipe that is a staple for celebrations. Teachers love to know more about their families and appreciate anything homemade!

3. Feed their cravings

You or your child may have noticed that their teacher always has an iced tea or bag of chips close by. It’s the small luxuries in life that matter, isn’t it? If you want, you can pair it with a cute, clever or cheesy note, like “For a TEA-riffic teacher!” for a box of the teacher’s favorite tea (check out Pinterest for more ideas).

4. Stock their supply closet

You might know which supplies are constantly in demand in your child’s classroom. Teachers often use their own money to purchase these items to keep their classrooms running smoothly. Attach a personal note (see suggestion #1) or a fun message to show extra thought, like, “Take note…we think you’re awesome!” to go with a packet of post-it notes.