Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Is it okay to say how much I always loved Teacher Appreciation Week? It is always nice to be appreciated by parents and administration, but to be appreciated by the students — well, that is the best! I love the smile they come in with, carrying a homemade card, a bunch of flowers, or even a gift card. These little gestures mean so much.

As a parent, however, you often feel like you have to go out and spend a lot of money to show how you feel. But in reality, something that takes time and thought means far more than a random expensive gift — trust me on this one!

I have received some wonderful tokens of appreciation over the years, from apples to recycled art to elaborate portraits of me! Some of them have also cracked me up. Take this example — little Myla dropped off a handwritten note that said “Thank you for being my teacher,” which by the way was a HUGE win because she had struggled all year with reading and writing. This was a little snippet of her success. And along with the note she deposited this on my desk:

And yes, that is licorice in an empty Scotch tape dispenser…

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4th-8th this Year!

Maybe you already have a gift idea ready to go or at least a plan. Or maybe you are one of those last minute people who will grab something at the grocery store on the way to school one morning — no judgment here! No matter what you do your teacher will feel appreciated and that is what is important.

For those of you who are undecided but looking for a sweet and easy Teacher Appreciation gift I have just the idea! All you have to do is download and print the FREE templates, work with your kiddo for a bit, and you are all set!

Thanks a Latte Teacher Appreciation Gift

Materials you need:

✔️templates (download here)
✔️a pencil
✔️markers, crayons, or colored pencils
✔️scissors
✔️a glue stick
✔️ optional: gift card to a local coffee shop

Making the Teacher Appreciation Gift

Print the templates and decide which cover option you would like to use. There are two options and the second page is the same no matter which cover you choose!

Option One: Print the coffee cup with the plain sleeve. Have your student color the cup if desired. Cut it out and set it aside for now.

Option Two: Print the coffee cup with the blank circle and have your student add a picture of themselves with their teacher. Color the cup if desired. Cut it out and set it aside for now.

Next, using the printable with lines, have your student write why they appreciate their teacher. Encourage them to give specific examples and share their feelings. If they need a little help getting started try one of these prompts:

“I am thankful you are my teacher because…”
“I appreciate you because…”

💡If your student is not able to do the writing themselves, allow them to dictate it to you, and you write it for them!
💡Write one of the prompts above and then have your student finish the sentence in their own words!

Putting it all together

Take the two pages and apply glue at the top of the writing paper. Place the cover page on top — this creates a flap that the teacher will lift to reveal your student’s sweet note underneath!

If you are using the cover page with the blank sleeve attach a gift card from a local coffee shop before giving it to the teacher. Any gift card works beautifully!

Here sweet cards are these cards I have received over the years!

From a teacher who has received her share of Teacher Appreciation gifts over the years — trust me, this one will be remembered! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Recipe for a Good Teacher Writing Activity

Teacher Appreciation Flower Craft and Writing Activity