Holiday gift guide: Teachers tell us what they really want

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There’s nothing wrong with an apple for a teacher. But this holiday season, if you want to show gratitude to one of the most important figures in your child’s life, there are plenty of other gift ideas to consider.

We asked a group of teachers about gifts they’ve received from students: the best, the worst and the most creative. If you’re looking for holiday gift ideas for teacher, get out your No. 2 pencils and take some notes:

“Chocolate. A Target gift card is awesome because then can pretend I used it to buy something fun, and I know I used it to buy groceries. Things I dislike are body and bath stuff. Fragrance is super personal. My favorite gifts have always been a drawing or sweet card written in wobbly handwriting.” —Ms. Gupta

“A nice pen. Winner every time.” —Mr. Kennelly

“I would say that the things I liked most were handmade gifts, but, from a practical standpoint, I really appreciated gift cards from teacher stores. The gifts that really were a very nice surprise were gift certificates from restaurants. Anytime I didn’t have to cook was a major point-scoring gift!” —Ms. Sefcik

“I get a lot of Starbucks gift cards, which is great because Starbucks is so expensive. But I’ve had a couple of parents do ‘Pinterest’ gifts. Once I got ‘pamper in a jar,’ which was a mason jar filled with fuzzy socks, sample Bath and Body Works lotion, soap and hand sanitizer, Dove chocolates, a small manicure gift card and Chapstick. Another time, I got was a mason jar cup and straw filled with Crystal Light, reusable ice cubes that looked like lemons and limes, a package of Kool-Aid and a few other things. Both had cute little sayings the kids wrote themselves.” —Ms. Poepsel

“I always received socks, but I think that’s because I love socks. Candles were popular and a nice gift. Plants were always bad. They died a slow, painful death on my desk. Tea was always awesome, as well as oatmeal. That’s because I ate tons at my desk. The best gifts were little buttons you could push and play snippets of music. Awesome songs like Whomp, There It Is when students had epiphanies.” —Mrs. Farnham

“The very best gift I ever received was a very small mirror from a disabled student and his family. They told me that every time I looked in it, I should see someone that they felt was a very special gift. I received that mirror 22 years ago, and still have it sitting out in my dining room.” —Mrs. Genschorck

“Gift cards, school supplies or spirit gear. Or personalized gifts, if they have an inside joke with you or they know your favorite animal, etc.” —Mrs. Ryan

“When I was a preschool teacher, I loved personalized gifts, like a woolen angel. It still reminds me of the little girl who gave it to me. Money was also good.” —Mrs. Robinson

“The neatest gift I have received was a Very Hungry Caterpillar music box/snow globe because the class enjoyed it, too. I personally prefer very practical gifts, like note cards, fine point sharpies, etc. Any gift cards are great too.” —Mrs. Meckenstock

“Working at a school where families can’t always provide gifts, I think it’s important to stress that thoughtful gifts are the best. One of my favorites was homemade note cards that I could then write thank you notes on. Opening a gift that a student is genuinely excited to give you makes it even better (even if it is their mom’s old necklace). They give with such love!” —Ms. Wagner

“Once the class went together and purchased a massage. Truly, a special note that shows real appreciation is my fave.” —Mrs. Kennelly