With Teacher Appreciation Week and the end of the school year fast approaching, I began assembling a gift guide of great teacher gifts to give your favorite educator. I surveyed former colleagues and friends, just to check in and see if much had changed over the last decade since I had left the classroom. It hadn’t. Overwhelmingly, gift cards are still the most desired teacher gifts to receive and teacher “themed” gifts, like that #1 teacher mug or plaque, are among the least.
So for grins, I began asking what was THE WORST GIFT anyone had received, and WOW, did that become a….. let’s shall we say interesting conversation. It was SO interesting in fact, that I thought all the world should know because you really will NOT believe what some of these teachers have actually received as gifts.
So, here you go, a list of 10 Gifts NOT to Give a teacher.
1. A Gift Certificate for a Tattoo
2. Half a Used Pack of Baby Wipes
3. Lingerie
(This includes no Victoria Secret underwear folded origami style into a flower.)
4. Anything Crocheted
5. Partial Bottles of Alcohol
(Alcohol in general is questionable, BUT let’s admit, they could sure use it)
6. Personal Hygiene Items
7. Previously Worn Earrings
(OR Previously worn ANYTHING for that matter!!!)
8. Silk Flowers or Other Fake Decor
9. Stuffed Animals
10. Framed Pictures of Your Child
DISCLAIMER: This is not meant to be an ungrateful or mean post. All the teachers agree that any gesture is nice and the best part of receiving a gift from a student is the excitement on the child’s face to give the gift! This was all in fun and I hope you’ll laugh along!
If You’re a teacher, what is the craziest gift you ever received?
Related Posts:
Best Gifts For Teachers: Ideas From A Teacher
Gifts Not to Give Mom for Mother’s Day
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Hana says
LOL! The first gift almost got me laughing out loud. A tattoo gift certificate? That would be so awkward for everybody who’s involved (not the tattoo artist though).
Jill says
From my daughter who is a kindergarten teacher – “Items to add to this list that I have received in the past… shoes (4 inch heels!), 1/2 bottles of perfume, popsicle sticks (just one stick wrapped in tissue paper)”
Shannon says
The only people who have become offended by this post are the people who crochet teacher gifts!!! This post was informative and funny, but the comments are even more hilarious!!! And I love the sweet comments from teachers 🙂
Stacy SS says
I agree. Seeing the crocheted items about broke my heart.
Patti says
Ok, since handmade crocheted items are disliked (but not knitted? Hmm), how about a donation to a children’s charity in their honor? No clutter, no calories, no offense – hopefully
Michelle Myers says
Patti, that is a lovely idea!!!!
Sarah says
As a teacher, I can say I love receiving anything at all – especially a handwritten card from the student themselves – but I have to agree with this post. It’s a kind thought to get me something that I can display in my home… Except that, like everyone else in the world, I have a decorating style. Just because we’re teachers does NOT mean that we want another apple-themed gift. Would you buy a briefcase-themed gift for your office boss? No, I bet you’d try to find out what his interests or tastes are and go with that. Or if you don’t know him very well, you’d get a gift card and call it a day. That said, I’ve parted with a lot of gifts that aren’t to my taste, but a heart-felt note ALWAYS gets saved. Appreciation isn’t about spending money… It’s about telling a special teacher how thankful you are.
Sandy says
Sounds a little mean, most gifts are from a child’s heart, true- there are so many mugs you can use and yes underwear is inappropriate, but just donate what you can’t use. No, my feelings aren’t hurt, by the way.
Audrey says
My least favorite “gift” was a gift bag, but underneath the tissue paper was a stack of Jehoval Witness tracts. I still said “thank you.” A colleague of mine (several years later) received a similar bag which contained a catalogue for “passion party” items. Not a gift, and so creepy. The mom was a consultant apparently. Down the hall, a third grade teacher got a jar of chocolate body paint…not from the same family. You know the sweet kid saw it and thought it was chocolate. This post really shouldn’t be offensive unless you give random used and/or questionable items. Teachers know kids give out of love, but it can still be funny. A sweet little girl once gave me a well loved dollar store figurine of a ballerina, but I could tell it was because she thought it was beautiful. I have received a number of dollar store “crystal” items that kids probably thought were really fancy.
Mary says
As a high school teacher, I would accept any gift from a student as we get nothing. What in the world happens? Elementary teachers get all the cool swag.
Michelle Myers says
Hey Mary!I’m not sure why the gift giving drops off but I wonder if it has something to do with the fact older students have 7-9 teachers where as elementary kids have primarily one. Even with primary instructors, the teacher that work in the enrichment areas(PE, Art, Music, etc) rarely receive gifts. Thanks for stopping by!
Robin says
Yep I was gonna say with my 4 kids, 4 teachers turns into 32 teachers when they reach middle school\high school. Sorry!!
Susan says
I hear that a lot! We have four kids, ages 16-8. I try to send something for every single teacher but that totals up to (with “specials” included) 22 teachers to buy for. That takes some creativity to swing for holidays and Teacher Appreciation week! I do my best but sometimes it’s just a personal note written by me and/or my student or a small gift card. Our High School and Junior High teachers are amazing with over 130+ kids each and every day! Thanks for doing what you do 🙂
EB says
That is true so as a fellow teacher my own children’s high school teachers always received a gift certificate for a popular local restaurant where teachers liked to eat on work days!
BubbleGumPanda says
Hi, my name is Bella and I’m in 6th grade, middle school. I am going to be giving gifts to all my teachers in high school, because I love learning! Like my Language arts teacher is obsessed with penguins and has about 20 on her desk. I’m giving her a handmade kawaii penguin drawing, a homemade card, and a penguin snow globe. I’m going to pay with this from money I won from a art contest.
Kira Lewis says
Bella – That sounds incredibly thoughtful and I love that you know your teacher so well and what she really loves. I’m also impressed that you are paying with your own money. You are a great example for young people today and I can already tell you are going to make a great adult one day! Thank you for sharing.
Stephanie says
I’m trying very hard to reconcile why anyone would put crocheted items (which typically take hours to make and are created and given with love) in the same “don’ts” list as lingerie, used earrings and half-empty bottles of booze, but so far I’m failing. I hope it’s a joke, because otherwise it comes off sounding like you polled a bunch of snooty, unappreciative teachers if they turn their nose up at such a gift.
Michelle Myers says
Hey Stephanie! I don’t think any of the teachers we polled were unappreciative or “snooty”. I think you can agree there is wide diversity in the world of crochet and some items may be more desirable over others. I also think it’s reasonable to assume that not everyone values things equally. I may love making homemade dark chocolate and give it as a gift, but my recipients not care for it at all. All the teachers we polled expressed their appreciation for any gift but if allowed to reply anonymously, they did list crochet as a gift they didn’t love. 🙂
maggie bacher says
the crochet one is really funny to me. i crochet little tiny ornaments every year for the teachers. i tie them onto homemade cinnamon almonds. i’m a bad parent. lol. does make it harder when your kids have 7-9 teachers though. even my gradeschoolers have 3-5. on the other hand, giving alcohol to teachers in germany is totally acceptable so i am hoping the crochet is acceptable here too.
EB says
Hi Stephanie
If my teacher experience is anything to go by I received a crocheted doll toilet paper cover every few years. None were ever in my color scheme and because I knew the time invested I hated that it was wasted when I didn’t use it. A crocheted scarf or hat was always appreciated.
Diana says
I was wondering what you would even crochet as a gift to a teacher, but your comment put that into perspective for me. I am a seamstress and experience similar disparity between the time spent making something and how it is received. I would think that is actually part of the cringe for crochet because if something is not your colors or you wouldn’t use it, it is much harder (and more guilt) to get rid of something you know they worked hard on and spent hours making.
Dani says
I Just recently crocheted coffee mug cozies for my kids teachers, lanyards for their school IDs since the teachers have to have them in plain view so most wear them around their neck.
Jamie says
I have a crocheting business so I do take offense to that one lol I’m a Rockstar at crocheting & come up with awesome stuff if I do say so myself. The teachers place orders with me for my crocheted items.
Betsy Lou says
I would always encourage my children to pick out a book that they enjoyed, and give that to the school library in honour of the teacher, both for Christmas and for the end of the year. In this way, the teacher was remembered, the library was supported and my kids left a piece of themselves at every school they attended. We would write in the book that it was in honour of the teacher and the year, and give the teacher a card explaining what we had done. We had a lot of teachers thank us very much and I do believe these gestures were truly appreciated.
Libraries need a lot of help, and the more fun books in them, the more kids will learn to read for fun. Win, win!
Michelle Myers says
I think this is brilliant! Thanks for sharing with us!
Esther says
I love this idea thank you for sharing
Nicole says
I once got a mini potted cactus from one of my kiddos. I wasn’t sure what to think of it at first, but that thing has seriously grown over the years!
Sarah says
Used to be a teacher and very much appreciate the humor in this post!!! Don’t take things so seriously people!!
Lin says
Thank you so much for this list! I really needed this. Every year I spend so much money and time on teacher gifts and to think behind my back they’ve been complaining. I guess tossing or donating unwanted gifts is just too much work. It’s important for us as parents to know what a burden our gifts are. Thanks again!
Casie says
No need to be bitter. It’s a light-hearted (but realistic) list. I enjoyed the article. It’s always the thought that counts, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a teacher who says otherwise. That said, use common sense. Like the rest of us, teachers don’t want dollar store junk, and the apple theme is for old ladies. Your best bet is a gift card. After all, it’s very likely they spend their own money on your kids throughout the year.
Latisha says
2 pigs on the back of a Harley Davidson in a snow globe
Beth says
These are not ideal gifts. Some are hard to explain away. However, I have taught for many years and have received some gifts that others would scoff at. Because I know my students, I know they gave what they could with love. Use the wipes box in your classroom. Have the student sign it and decorate it. Who couldn’t use handi wipes in the class? Empty the booze bottle and fill it with flowers to decorate the room. The story of Teddy Stoddard and Mrs. Thompson (anyone who teaches knows this story) comes to mind. He came a beat up old bracelet and half used bottle of perfume. When the teacher took the time to listen to Teddy, she discovered the true prize in the gifts. I know many a poor student that would grab anything they can find at home to give. Their situation breaks my heart and their gift becomes my favorite treasure. Side note: I am not sure how to explain away the origami folded lingerie.
Melanie says
Oh wow, I’m in tears, i just read the Teddy Stoddard and Mrs. Thompson story. Thanks for sharing.
Dorie says
This list is hilarious, as I’m sure you meant it to be! I was a teacher and have to admit, although I ALWAYS appreciated the lovely and genuine thought behind every. single. gift, receiving another teacher-themed Christmas ornament, mug or collectable just meant the precious gift would be donated. They weren’t donated because I didn’t love the giver or the thought behind the gift, but because, like most teachers, I don’t like clutter. My Christmas tree has a theme and it’s not apples, all the mugs in my cabinet match and I don’t like my desk to look cluttered. When I give a gift, I always try to find out more personal stuff about the gift-receiver, i.e. teacher in this case. What’s her favorite beverage, author, restaurant, hobby, snack etc… and give accordingly. Whether I’m going to spend $5 or $100, I want the gift to not only be appreciated (which it always will), but also genuinely liked and therefore enjoyed and used. So, please don’t give these blog writers a hard time over their half-serious, half-joking list. It is more than appropriate and thoughtful to gift someone a croqueted scarf if we know the recipient loves to wear scarves and frequently sports the hand-made variety. However, if she’s always sporting a silk one from a department store, then just maybe we should try to dig a little deeper and personalize the gift to her taste. The best part about giving someone a gift is the anticipation and thought that goes into knowing it’s just the perfect gift for them. Cheers!
ACL says
I call bologna on this. Not all of it, but at least a few of these. Or maybe my little area of the world isn’t full of ungrateful teachers. Any time that teachers my kids have had or teacher that I know have gotten anything homemade, they have shown nothing but gratitude for the item(s). That includes crocheted items and a HUGE basket of spa-type “hygiene products.” This list may have been made for “fun” and a “laugh,” but I highly doubt you polled actual teachers.
Kira Lewis says
We appreciate your comments, but we did actually ask teachers as Michelle used to be a teacher and several of my close friends are teachers. However, we did note, that overall the teachers truly appreciate any gift from a child when it is given from the heart.Plus, they don’t ever expect gifts. They do this because they love it and they love the kiddos. Also, yes, this is all meant in good humor, but several of these items that I think you would agree are a little inappropriate (lingerie) were the real deal. Overall, don’t take us too seriously though.
Casie says
The authors stressed that the teachers were appreciative. Lighten up!!
Denise says
I happen to cherish my hand knitted scarfs from moms.
Tiffany says
Hey, why no crochet?
Stephanie says
i agree Tiffany, why not crochet. I make dishclothes for the teachers and staff, male and female. I figured if the guys didn’t know what to do with them, shame on em! Lol! I also gave a Tim’s gift card with them. Some of the male teachers wives have thanked me for the dishclothes too. that’s a win win in my opinion!
And for the record, to have crocheted items ahead of a half gone bottle of booze, depicting it as worse than, is insulting. Just saying.
Michelle Myers says
Hey Stephanie! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on our site, we love when readers share their thoughts with us! We polled a variety of teachers for the responses and several listed crocheted items among those they weren’t enthusiastic about. I don’t have specific information, like if they were given crocheted dolls, scarves, dishclothes, etc., but it sounds like your gifts have been well received! Also, we weren’t implying any type of “order” with our list, #10 was a framed photo of your child, that’s certainly not the WORST gift ever given. Like we said in our post, this was meant for a laugh and certainly not as an insult to anyone. Thanks again for stopping by!
Michelle Myers says
Hi Tiffany! Thanks so much for stopping by our site! I responded to Stephanie’s comment below with more info. about the crocheted items. Hope that helps! Thanks!
SJ says
How many is “a variety of teachers”? In your poll? Just curious. it’s not really your grandma’s crochet anymore. Cute list. Someone made it up and thought it’d be funny. Which is fine. You’re out of touch with the reality of needle arts in 2015 though.
Kira Lewis says
That may very well be the case and overall this was definitely meant in jest. It was a pretty good sized group of teachers and we admit we were a little surprised that people actually received some of these. However, every teacher said that most of all they appreciated the thought and that they do what they do b/c they love it, not for the swag. 😉
Diane says
I never gave stuff like that. I would collect school supplies in Aug/Sept and then do a basket and put those items in it. I did bingo cards and candy that with the occasion like Christmas gift cards that is cool. I did purposeful gifts.
Michelle Myers says
That sounds great!
liz says
My mother was a teacher, so I knew how she would come home with a billion mugs all the time and she would pass them along because the cabinet could not fit another mug! When I became a teacher I decided to make sure the kids KNEW what I liked. I would ask questions for review and would always throw in one bonus question of something about me that I liked. The kids loved the bonus question and I got awesome presents that year. And surprise, it was exactly what I liked. Lol
Jennifer Tammy says
Bahaha! Oh yes, I’ve gotten the pictures of the kids… I wouldn’t say no to the alcohol but half-drank is questionable — awesome list!
Kristen says
What about a framed pic of her WITH my child? No?! lol
April G says
Another post just said pictures of your children were cute. Not sure I’d frame it though. Would that make a difference?
Sharon says
Pictures of your children are cute and kind. The frame is a nice idea. But please remember that teachers probably like to have pictures of their own children/family in their home.
Becca says
I had a teacher in high school whose desk was literally covered with tiny little cat figurines. So, that’s what anyone got for her when they wanted to get her a present. Here’s the weird thing – She hated cats. But someone had given her one, so she displayed it, and it grew from there. Here’s the even weirder thing – she’d actually moved from another school a couple of years ago, and moved her cat collection with her, and put the collection on her desk at the new school. Yeah. Because if you really hate something, you should totally display it so that people think you love it and get you more of the same! She was kind of weird all-around, I guess . . . .
Vicki says
She kept the cats not because she was weird. She kept them because of the kids who gave them to her.
Michelle Myers says
Hey Vicki! thanks for taking the time to comment. I don’t see anything in the post about cats…
Sally says
Michelle her comment was about Becca’s reply, you must have missed reading that one.
Tara says
Great post! I was an aide in the class room for a number of years. I still display ornaments I received as gifts as I put them on the tree I wonder how that child and family are doing now. With baked good I will take a taste, Christmas mugs or decorations come out every year. Now as a bus Aide, it is rare to receive gifts many times if I or the driver get a gift it is not on a holiday , but home made cookies or breads are always so appreciated especially since where we pickup our students it is in an incredibly poor area. I took this post as something fun and not to insult anyone I am very sorry peoples feelings git hurt. I do not think that was the intent. Thanks.