Gift Guide #9: The Hard-to-Shop-For Crowd (You Know Who You Are)

Any suggestions for Daycare teachers? I know who the main teacher in my son’s classroom is, but the support teachers rotate so often due to staffing that I don’t know who they are or how many (we’ve been there 3 months). Also, we live in a very rural area and that limits local gift cards (or even things like Starbucks or Target).

Would it be rude to just get a card and/or gift for just the teacher and front desk staff that I know?

You know what I’ve discovered is an awesome gift for anyone? A Polaroid (or other brand) instant camera. Facts!

Thank you so much for including a guide for tweens and teens. My teens are hard to buy for and I see several things here they might like. I chose the boba tea set for my son, which is nice because it’s consumable and will surprise him, unless cash or gift cards :)

I looked through the teen list with one of my own, and I anted to share, Joanna, how much she appreciated your enthusiasm for teens and commitment to really see them. We had already selected her gifts (my oldest son is stressed by even happy surprises, so all gifts are chosen jointly!), but she said, “We are doing a good job!” Thank you for sending teen affirmation into this tough world.

Wonderful ideas as always, Jo! Dominating my mind right now is how I wish I could give my teenage niece and nephew in metro Detroit the gift of safety at school. I’m sure this one hit home for you too :(
I totally don’t mean to detract from the joy of these gift ideas, just feeling really upset for these kids.
Does anyone have any fresh ideas on how we can bring this to the forefront for our government? I’ll never stop being astounded by how normal these school shootings have become.

I am putting a few of these Pela phone grip/stands in adult stockings this year- I have one and it’s great and also not made of plastic! Warning that shipping comes from Canada though so add extra time! https://pelacase.com/products/black-eco-friendly-pela-grip

This is my first year with a kid attending school in person. My daughter has some extra physical needs and thinking of everyone working so hard through covid, I just feel so grateful for the whole staff! Our teacher got some extras but I made 40 pairs of reusable handwarmers and dropped them off in the office – they were a huge hit! About $30 in flannel and rice and a couple hours at the sewing machine. It was really fun to be able to bless everyone!

“Specials” teachers often get overlooked, so I’m always touched by a card or gift. My students’ families tend towards Dunkin Donuts and Target gift cards. I love them both – Dunks for me, Target for classroom supplies – but mostly I love realizing that I’m being fondly thought of during the holidays. It’s the thought that counts, but we don’t know we’re in your thoughts if you don’t let us know!

Our favorite gift for teachers for the last few years has been a wreath with a bow on it! We get the wreaths through a church fundraiser and the bows from a seller on Etsy. Even if they’ve already bought one, you can always find a spot for another wreath! :) We give them early in December so they can enjoy them all season.

I learned the BEST tip for teacher’s last year! Have one parent from the class ask them to fill out a short survey of their favourite things to share. Flower, cafe, treat, restaurant, etc. then you are sure to treat them with something they love!

It’s not fancy but I get car wash gift cards for teachers because everyone needs to wash their cars! (assuming they have a vehicle).

Hi Jo,
Maybe next year we could see a sustainable holidays ideas post! Here are some of my favorite ideas. Reusable or recycled wrapping – I like to use paper bags as wrapping paper and draw on them, recycled decorations
Gifts that are easy to thrift – Table cloths, candles, whiskey glasses, flames (pick up some local art to go inside), big cozy sweaters
Gifts that are easy to buy used – Books, outdoors gear (bikes, skis, wagons), lamps
Gifts that are sustainable – You already do a lot of these :)

Hello! teacher here- school supplies as a donation to the class are what I want more than coffee, more than giftcards! Buy some watercolor sets from the dollar tree, tie em with a ribbon. Put some pencil packs and whiteboard markers in a tote bag I can use all through the year. Its not lame to gift teachers school supplies. If you gave me a target giftcard I would just use it to buy school supplies. Donate a book your child loves to the class library. Get me some art supplies- glitter glue or stickers. I’d be SOOO excited. email your student’s teacher and ask what they’re running low on, they’ll be so touched and it will be so appreciated. If you’re worried its not “festive” enough, include a card or wrap it. pretty please??

Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, but reading “We love you, teens! You’re doing a great job.” made me teary. I have a two-year-old and I say often “being two is hard!” Being a kid/tween/teen/person is hard! <3

Love these! Just be careful with coworker gifts if you work at a nonprofit, like I do. Anything that advocates for policy like reproductive rights might not not be allowed in the workplace, as the IRS puts strict limits on what nonprofits can do and that extends to employees during work hours.

My favorite fits-most-everyone (over 18) gift: lottery tickets! They’re a great last-minute gift, too, because they’re available so many places.

At the beginning of the school year our teachers hand out a ‘get to know the teacher’ sheet. I have learned to save these and as they have helpful hints and ideas on them come gift-giving time. They usually state a teachers favorite snack, drink, team, color, boo, etc. (this is elementary level teachers) so it’s a lot easier to build a gift around these insights.

Good deeds advent calendars are a great gift! My co workers loved it.
https://www.24gooddeeds.ca/#

Solitary bees don’t make honey, don’t have a queen, don’t swarm, and live alone; they are invaluable pollinators, and any garden is lucky to have them. A solitary bee hive is a lovely, quiet “I see you” gift.

https://nature-niche.com/products/stacking-solitary-bee-hive-with-flip-top

I’m a high school social studies teacher and I would LOVE to receive even just one Starbucks gift card so I can treat myself on my way to school at 7:30 in the morning. Also, even though we teach 140-150 students each year, we high school teachers rarely get holiday gifts because parents often don’t feel like (or can’t afford) buying something for all 7 or 8 of their kids’ teachers :( If that’s the case, please consider a thoughtfully written note or email – it makes our day!

My husband gifted me the Glossier perfume for my birthday a couple years ago and it is MY FAVORITE!! I get compliments from hip, cool younger people like our babysitter who exclaims, “What perfume are you wearing?! I love it!”

These are honestly all so good! Thanks for the teacher gift ideas. Our school is inclusive to the point of not celebrating any holidays, so our gift will come after the new year. My son and I will grow his teachers an avocado plant. Tonight we’re having tacos and I’ll make guacamole, then use the avocado pits to sprout a little guy. His school is also big on sustainability so we’ll be on brand, I think!

Yes to a magazine subscription or a thoughtful gift certificate. Can’t go wrong with one from a favourite bookstore and it helps support local indie bookshops. :) Or a nice bottle of wine or beer. :)

For teens: a polaroid camera and film!

Random suggestion: my favorite white elephant gift to bring is an extra long phone charger! Someone in the group will find it useful! :)