It’s that time of year where we want to show our appreciation for all the people who positively impact our lives. Among that list are your kid’s teachers. You likely have several teachers to shop for — teacher assistants, fine arts teachers, librarians, coaches, etc. Buying gifts for all of them can really add up, especially if you have multiple children.

We asked Southern Savers readers to share some of their frugal gift ideas for teachers, plus many of our teacher readers let us know which gifts they have appreciated the most. It was unanimous that the amount of money you spend on a gift isn’t important. It’s simply letting the teachers know they are appreciated for all their hard work.

While gift cards are always a popular option, don’t feel as if they have to be for higher dollar amounts. A simple $5 gift card to any local shop will surely be appreciated and used to purchase something they need or want. If you’d like to stay away from gift cards, here are some frugal gift options that most teachers will be happy to receive.

Note: Product prices were accurate at the time of this post but are subject to change at any time.

Handmade Card or Handwritten Note

By far the most appreciated gift is a thoughtful handmade card or handwritten note from the student themselves. This goes for any age, preschool through high school. Students don’t generally take the time to stop and thank their teachers and coaches for all the hard work they put into a child’s education. So, taking the time to make them something or write them a simple thank you note means the world to any teacher.

Treats from Local Bakeries 

Teachers don’t have a lot of extra time at home for baking this time of year. That’s why they are happy to receive some goodies from a local bakery shop. Be sure, however, to be aware of any allergies or dietary restrictions they may have. Also, while many readers mentioned homemade goods as a frugal option, it was suggested that you only do this if you know the teacher well enough to know they will enjoy them. Several teachers mentioned throwing out any homemade goods they received due to not knowing if they were made in a clean environment.

Classroom Supplies

Teachers often spend their own money buying things for the classroom. Grab a few highlighters, nice pens, markers and sticky notes and divvy them up among all the teachers. These are useful and show that you know they often purchase their own supplies. Check out some of the deals below!

12-Pack Highlighters – $6.74

Read More→