We’re almost at the end of another school year. If you’re looking for eco-friendly and creative ways to show appreciation for your child’s teacher, read on for 10 ideas for teacher gifts that are worthy of a gold star. Even better, they’re kind to the Earth, too!
This post was originally published in May 2021 and updated in April 2024.
It’s always hard to come up with a useful and thoughtful gift to thank teachers for their work and support during the school year. Most teachers will tell you the last thing they need is another coffee mug, candle or “world’s best teacher” fridge magnet.
My sister-in-law is an elementary school teacher. We put our heads together to come up with this list of 10 creative and eco-friendly gifts that are sure to earn a 10/10. And there’s something to fit every budget.
10 thoughtful and eco-friendly teacher gifts
Experience gifts
Rather than giving stuff, why not give the gift of an experience? Tickets to a local attraction, a gift certificate for a spa, or movie passes are great suggestions.
Handmade card
My daughter Colleen loved to make handmade cards and write a personal thank you note inside. Every teacher really appreciated the sentiment and the time she took to do it. Christine said one of her favourite things is when a parent takes the time to write a nice note, because it’s so rare these days.
Gift cards
Gift cards for local coffee shops, bakeries or restaurants make excellent gifts.
Many teachers buy school supplies with their own money so a gift card for a school supply or stationery store will help replenish the supplies for next year. I even gave a liquor store gift card to one of my girls’ teachers one year. I wouldn’t recommend that for every teacher, but I had served on school council with her, so I knew she’d appreciate it.
Handmade chocolates or cookies
I’m a big fan of consumable gifts. A tin or box of delicious treats from a local candy store or bakery would be at the top of my list.
Gourmet coffee or tea in a reusable container
Ask your kids if their teacher enjoys coffee or tea. If they do, you can’t go wrong with gourmet coffee or tea in a reusable container.
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Flowers or a potted plant
Cut flowers or a nice potted plant will brighten anyone’s day. If you’re on a budget, you could even cut flowers from your own garden.
Jam or preserves
A jar of home-made jam or preserves is a personal gift that will satisfy the teacher’s sweet tooth. If you don’t make your own preserves, pick some up from a local business or farm store.
Eco-friendly school supplies
Consider a nice refillable pen, some highlighter pencils or other eco-friendly school supplies. Plantable pencils are another unique idea. Once you’re done with the pencil, you plant it and it grows herbs, flowers or vegetables. I can’t think of a more Earth-friendly gift!
Natural products
There are lots of options for natural, waste-free gifts. Beeswax or soy candles, or packaging-free soaps and beauty products are eco-friendly choices.
Charitable donation
As my daughters got older, we started to make donations to a charitable organization in the name of their teachers. The teachers always appreciated the thoughtfulness of this gesture. If you know the teacher has a favourite charity or cause they support, even better. Combine it with a hand-written thank you note, and you’ve got a winner!
Do you have other suggestions for eco-friendly teacher gifts? Tell us your ideas below.
Super list! I especially like the charitable donation idea, though I’m not going to turn down chocolate either.😊 As your sister-in-law has probably expressed, most teachers just want to be appreciated for their efforts and supported by parents. A sincere card can mean everything to a teacher, particularly after a rough day. I’m retired now, but I kept all those cards.
Maybe that’s the sweet spot…a charitable donation with a thank you note and a little chocolate on the side. My sister-in-law definitely said she loved the handmade card and thank you notes the most. It’s lovely that you kept the cards. Thanks for reading, Pete.
Hi Michelle. Some wonderful, thoughtful gift suggestions there. I suspect that the ‘homemade’ ideas would be very popular and appreciated as it shows that some real thought and effort has gone into the gift.
Thank you Richie. Yes, I think homemade is always best for any occasion!
Wonderful, I think these presents are perfect for anyone!
You’re right. They are good for any occasion!
Really loving your ideas for handmade gifts like jam and preserves! We have apple trees and often make apple butter and sauce with our bigger crops. Visiting local orchards for peaches also fills our basement with canned peaches and tulsi peach jam. It is nice to have something made with love to give, especially if you cook your flavors with friends in mind.
Gift cards to local businesses, chocolate and tea are also great ideas!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Jaya. Apple butter sounds delicious. There’s a small community near here that has an annual “apple butter and cheese festival”. I have never been but I would love to check it out sometime.
Awesome ideas, not least because we do homemade cards, jams and chutneys, mincemeat and gin every year for Christmas and the end of the school year. It’s so much nicer doing that than running round the supermarket in a rush for wine and chocolates.
That is so great to hear! And I am sure it is very much appreciated.
Thanks for these ideas Michelle
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading Maya!
Your welcome Michelle 😊
These are great ideas! And how great that they are teacher approved, too!
Thank you Michelle!
Thanks for the great ideas! I can’t believe it is already time to start thinking about end-of-the-year teacher gifts!
Our kids don’t finish school until late June but I know the USA is earlier than us so I thought I’d get the post up sooner.
Good call. My daughter is done on June 4th! I can’t believe her first year of school is almost over.😳
The years fly by once they start school. My youngest is graduating high school and it feels like just yesterday when I dropped her off at school for her first day of kindergarten.
I love that you keep putting out sustainable, low-impact options for all of us to be inspired by. Thank you. I also did not know about plantable pencils (made in Poland and Minnesota…) A very fun idea!!!
Thanks Will. I haven’t tried the plantable pencils but they are definitely a cool idea!