(And Will Actually Use)

Hey Mama, let’s talk about teacher appreciation gifts! You know what’s super zero waste? Giving someone exactly what they want, so it won’t Go. To. Waste. We want to show our teachers how grateful we are for caring for and educating our precious little ones. But we don’t want to give them more stuff to clutter their space or make them feel bad about.

You know that guilt you get when your kids catch you tossing their old drawings? Yeah, we don’t want teachers to feel that!

So here are five eco-friendly teacher gifts that you can feel good about gifting

5 Teacher Appreciation Gifts

1. Gift Cards for Practical Items

Gift cards are a huge winner, especially if they’re emailed—talk about zero waste! Here are some great options:

• Grocery Stores: Because who doesn’t need groceries? This is especially helpful as prices keep climbing.
• Target or Amazon: Yes, there’s a debate about these thugs, but let’s face it—they’re super convenient and teachers will appreciate the options.

2. Gifts for local treats

Support local and treat a teacher! Local treats make for great teacher gift ideas because they’re is a great way to support local and they allow you to personalize their interests a bit.

• Restaurants or Coffee Shops: Everyone loves a good meal or coffee break.
• Bookstores or Nurseries: Perfect for teachers who love to read or garden.

3. Gift Cards for Educational Supplies

I was shocked when I learned teachers usually pay out of pocket for their classroom supplies. You can ease some of that burden with gift cards to supply or educational stores such as:

• Lakeshore Learning: They have tons of educational tools.
• Teachers Pay Teachers: An awesome site where teachers can buy and sell lesson plans and resources.

4. Cold Hard Cash

Sometimes cash is king. It’s not the most exciting gift, but it’s always useful and never goes to waste. Plus, it allows teachers to get exactly what they need, when they need it.

5. Handwritten Notes

This one surprised me! When I asked for gift ideas and heard straight from the teachers, so many said their most cherished teacher’s gifts were handwritten notes from students and parents. I heard “I keep them for days when I need encouragement.” and “A family wrote me the sweetest card this year. It was clear they put in a lot of effort and thought. That was my favorite gift.”

So sweet.

Bonus Zero-Waste Teacher Gifts

Want to go the extra mile with zero waste? These are great if you know the teacher well or if you’re particularly. Try these:

• Plants or Flowers: Brighten their classroom or home.
• Homegrown Produce: Herbs, veggies, or fruits from your garden.
• Homemade Treats: Granola, jams, jellies, or a DIY body scrub or cream.

Mama, I’m here to save you time and mental space when it comes to creating a more sustainable home and lifestyle for your family. So stop searching Pinterest for DIY gifts and stressing about what to get these amazing teachers—just give them what they really want.

Save time and keep your sanity! If you’re looking for more ways to go green, make sure to sign up for my emails to get tips sent directly to your inbox.