Teachers go over and above to make sure their students succeed in every way. Teacher’s Appreciation Day recognizes the hard work and dedication of educators across the country. It’s the perfect way to make sure your child’s teacher knows just how much you appreciate her influence in your child’s life. To do this, you could always choose a store-bought gift and send it in with your child on Teacher’s Appreciation Day. Or, you could even opt for a quick and easy gift card.
But, if you’re looking for something a bit more personalized that will leave a big impression on your favorite teacher, consider a DIY gift. Not only are these gifts more personal, but they’re also less expensive than store-bought alternatives. Plus, many DIY options can be completed quickly, making them perfect for those moments you need a last-minute teacher gift.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy gift that will make a big impression, consider one of our Edible Arrangements. Our You’re The Best Platter Bundle is packed with chocolate-covered apple slices, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate-dipped pineapple, and a bouquet of “Thank you” balloons. Or, check out our Apple Daisy® arrangement complete with an apple-shaped pineapple, chocolate-covered apple slices, and plenty of other fresh fruit.
We’ve gathered up 50 great options to hone your DIY skills. Here are 50 Teacher’s Appreciation Day DIY gift ideas:
Make this amazing apple ornament with just a wooden disc, red and white paint, green felt, and some twine. Just paint the disc red, paint a special message in white paint and affix a felt leaf and the piece of twine.
2. DIY Chalkboard Crayon Wreath
Make your favorite teacher this gorgeous chalkboard wreath with just a few packages of crayons, chalkboard ribbon, chalkboard, stickers and other embellishments, and plenty of hot glue. Though it looks complicated, it’s actually pretty easy to make.
3. Rolo Pencil Teacher Thank You Gifts
Turn a regular pack of Rollos into super cute pencils with this printable. You simply need a pack of Rollos, printer paper, and a Hersey’s Kiss. Just print the printable on regular printer paper, wrap it around the Rollos, glue the Kiss on the end, and you’re done.
Make this vase with wooden rulers, two sticks of hot glue, and a mason jar. Just cut the rulers down to size and use a hot glue gun to attach them to a mason jar. Finish with a pretty ribbon.
5. Bucket Full of Sunshine Teacher Gift
Give your teacher some sunshine in a box. In addition to the adorable printable, you can pack a metal bin with some sunny supplies she’ll actually need for her classroom, like antibacterial wipes, highlighters, and yellow notebooks.
6. DIY EOS Lip Balm Teacher Gift
Give your favorite teacher a container of lip gloss and turn it into an apple with this adorable printable card. You simply need a sheet of cardstock and a color printer. Make it even more personalized with a handwritten note on the back.
7. Teachers are Treasures Free Printable
Make this stand filled with delicious chocolates. Just print out the candy wrappers printable, wrap them around the chocolate, and secure them with a dab of glue. Make the stand with some cardboard and scrapbook paper.
8. Recycled Plastic Bottles Craft
Turn your old soda bottles into sweet apples for your teacher with this cute craft. You’ll need plastic soda bottles with bottoms that look like apples, sticks, red tissue paper or wrapping paper, green felt, and some hot glue.
Create this tote bag your favorite teacher can use to carry her paperwork to and from the classroom. You just need a plain canvas tote bag, painter’s tape, fabric paint, an apple, and a couple of paintbrushes.
10. Personalized Tumbler Teacher Gift
Turn an acrylic tumbler into a wonderful teacher gift with vinyl letters and a pack of gel ink pens. Add your favorite teacher’s initial to the side of the tumbler and fill it with gel pens. Then, print out the printable bookmark and attach it to the straw of the tumbler.
11. DIY Crayon Vase Teacher Gift
With just three packs of crayons, an empty tin can, and fun paper, you can create this amazing crayon vase your teacher can use to store essential supplies or a bouquet of freshly cut flowers. Plus, this craft is so easy to make that the kiddos can help out.
12. DIY Teacher Appreciation Bookmark Free Printable
Give your favorite teacher a bookmark that states, “Thank you for being part of my story.” Your little one can color in the bookmark, affix special stickers, and even write a special message on the back.
13. Periodic Table Clipboard with the Cricut
To make this clipboard, you’ll need a Cricut or other vinyl cutter, a clipboard, chalk paint, cuttable vinyl, and transfer tape. Just paint your clipboard with the chalk paint. Then use the Cricut to print out the periodic table image onto cuttable vinyl and affix it to the clipboard.
14. Hands Down Teacher Appreciation Gift
Hand sanitizer is like gold to a teacher trying to steer clear of germs in the classroom. Treat them to a handful of sanitizers with this sweet printable that reads, “Hands down, you’re the best teacher around.”
If you’re down to the wire and need a quick teacher gift, this printable will come to your rescue. It reads, “Thank you for ‘sticking’ with me and helping me learn,” and can be attached to a package of sticky notes for a gift your teacher will actually use in the classroom.
Turn your favorite bath bomb into the perfect teacher appreciation gift. You’ll just need a bath bomb (you can make your own or buy them premade), tissue paper, scissors, twine, and a printable gift tag.
17. Thanks for Helping Me Grow Gift
Your teacher will appreciate this sweet succulent she can display in the classroom or at home. Make it your own with a printable “Thanks for helping me grow” tag you can attach to a wooden stake.
18. Keep Calm Return Pencils T Shirt
Make your teacher this t-shirt with a Circut or other vinyl cutter and some printable vinyl. She’ll appreciate the phrase, “Keep calm and always return my pencils,” which will prompt students to return the supplies they borrow throughout the day.
Turn a mason jar into a chalkboard that your favorite teacher can use to store supplies like pencils or highlighters. You’ll just need chalkboard paint, a mason jar, chalkboard ribbon, and some white chalk.
20. I’m Nuts About You Teacher Appreciation Gift
To create this gift, you’ll just print out the printable gift tag that reads, “I’m nuts about you.” Cut out the tag, punch a hole through the upper corner, place a bag of peanut trail mix into a food gift bag, and tie the gift tag around the opening of the gift bag.
Your teacher lights the way for your child the way a lantern lights up the night sky. Make sure she knows how important she is with this sweet printable and a lantern you can find at your local hardware store or online.
Make a gift card for your teacher a little more appealing with this DIY project. Print out the bucket list printable (which can be personalized with your child’s grade) and affix it to a miniature bucket. Place your gift card in the bucket.
23. Toe Tally Awesome Teacher Gift
Give your favorite teacher a pedicure set. You just need some cute nail polishes, nail polish remover wipes, clippers, a file, or other pedicure supplies. Then, print the gift tag, put everything in a cellophane bag, and attach the tag with some ribbon.
For this fun gift, you’ll need a plastic tumbler you can fill with goodies, such as drink mixes like Crystal Light, tea bags, straws, and a gift card to a favorite drink spot. Then print out the gift tag that says, “It’s so refreshing to have a teacher like you.”
Turn a movie gift card into a wonderful gift with this easy craft. You’ll just need some cardstock to print out the striped box, printer paper for the printable that reads, “Thanks for making me feel like a star,” some movie candy, and, if desired, a movie gift card.
26. Bless Your Sweet Hands for Shaping My World
Your teacher’s hands are likely in need of some TLC after plenty of handwashing and sanitizer throughout the day. This lemon sugar scrub will moisturize while sloughing off dead skin and comes with a printable that reads, “Bless your sweet hands for helping shape my world.”
Make your favorite teacher a bar of apple pie soap. Made with just shea butter soap base, soap mold, soap colorant, apple fragrance oil, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, it comes together in just ten minutes.
28. In Case of Emergency Teacher Gift
Teaching can be pretty challenging. Sometimes all that can help after a long day is a bar of yummy chocolate. That’s why teachers will appreciate this, “In case of emergency, break glass” gift.
29. Pencil Mason Jar Teacher Gift
Turn a mason jar into an adorable pencil she can use to store all of her essentials. You’ll need tall mason jars, yellow craft paint, a paintbrush, pink fabric, one-inch polyfoam, and glue.
30. You Are O Fish Ally the Best
Print out this cute printable that says, “You are ‘fish’ally the best!” Use a festive ribbon to tie it onto a box of Swedish Fish or a package of goldfish crackers for a cheesy pun your teacher will love.
31. Flu Season Teacher Gift Idea
Help your teacher rest a bit easier during cold and flu season with this gift idea. Just print out the printable that reads, “To help keep the germ from your little bookworms and use a piece of twine or ribbon to attach to a package of disinfecting wipes.
32. Dry Erase Marker Teacher Appreciation Gift
Print out this printable that reads, “You have made a mark on my life that can never be erased,” and affix it to a package of dry erase markers. Your teacher will appreciate the pun and can actually use the makers in her classroom.
33. Teacher Appreciation Printable
Give your teacher a package of markers she’ can use to grade papers or mark up lesson plans. Affix a colorful printable that says, “To teach is to color a life forever,” for a heartwarming touch.
34. Note Gift Idea for Teachers
Dress up a simple notebook with this printable that says, “Just a note to say you’re a great teacher.” Affix it to your notebook with a pretty ribbon and a gel pen or set of pens.
35. We Need Smore Teachers Like You
Treat your teacher to a package of s’mores supplies with graham crackers, marshmallows, and small chocolate bars. Top it all off with a printable that reads, “We need s’more teachers like you.”
36. Popcorn Themed Teacher Gift
Who doesn’t love the buttery taste of popcorn? This gift pairs a bag or box of microwave popcorn with a printable that says, “Popping in to say thanks for being a great teacher!”
37. Thanks for Going the Extra Mile
Pair a package of Extra gum with a printable that says, “Thanks for always going the extra mile!” Place the package gum in a cellophane bag and sinch in the top with a festive ribbon.
You can put together this adorable gift in under ten minutes. You’ll just need a bead organizer, ribbon, chocolates, and a “Teacher’s Emergency Stash Tag” printable you can print out on regular printer paper.
39. Keep Calm Summer is Almost Here
Teachers look forward to summer more than anyone. Make sure it’s a great one with this gift basket, filled with summery things like a beach towel, plastic tumbler, sunscreen, and flip-flops.
40. Mason Jar Craft
Turn a wide-mouth mason jar into an apple that can hold all of your teacher’s most essential supplies. You’ll need red acrylic paint, green acrylic paint, a paintbrush, green cardstock, and red baker’s twine.
41. Teacher Appreciation Candy Bar Wrapper
Treat your favorite teacher to some candy bars covered in a printable that says, “You are the best teacher bar none.” Not only will she feel appreciated and valued, but she’ll also get to enjoy some delicious candy.
Fill up a cute mason jar with some delicious Starburst candy. Then, top the jar with a printable that says, “You’re a star teacher.” You can also place a gift card inside the jar if desired.
Made with delectable M&Ms, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and more, your teacher will love baking these delectable brownies at home. She’ll just need to add eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
44. ABC Flowers
To create these beautiful vases, just fill up a mason jar with magnetic letters and a bouquet of fresh flowers. For the finishing touch, affix a tag that says thank you with a thick, festive ribbon.
45. Teacher Appreciation Chalkboard Mason Jar Vases
To make these unique chalkboard vases, you’ll need just a few simple supplies. Large mason jars, a primer that sticks to glass, chalkboard paint, paintbrush, decorative ribbon, baker’s twine, and a hot glue gun come together to create the perfect gift.
46. Teacher Appreciation Calculator Gift
This calculator becomes the ideal teacher gift with some cellophane, a ribbon, and a “You are 2 nice 2 be 4gotten” printable on cardstock. It’s a quick and easy gift that will still make a big impression.
Your teacher has turned your little one into a smart cookie. Now it’s your turn to spoil your teacher with some cookies. Wrap your favorite cookies in a clear plastic box or cellophane bag and affix a printable tag.
48. Apple Cake Pops
These cake pops make a delicious treat. You simply need a box of cake mix, prepared according to package directions, a can of prepared frosting, red candy coating, lollypop sticks, pretzels sticks, green Tic Tacs®, and a cookie scoop.
Potted herbs are incredibly useful in the kitchen and make an easy and inexpensive gift. This DIY pairs your favorite kitchen herbs with a printable that reads, “You’re a big dill to me.”
50. Rubber Band Ball Teacher Appreciation Gift
Your teacher will love this ball made out of rubber bands. She’ll always be able to find a rubber band when she needs one and will get a kick out of the cute printable that says, “I had a ball this year!”
Choose one of these DIY teacher appreciation gifts and you can’t go wrong. Your favorite teacher will appreciate all the effort you put in and she’ll end up with a gift she can actually use in the classroom or at home.
More About Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
If one of these great DIY teacher gift ideas doesn’t seem right, then you may have some questions. To help, a few common questions and answers that will help you find the right gift for any teacher in your life.
What can you give a teacher for appreciation?
The best thing to give a teacher for appreciation is a heartfelt note or handwritten card to let her know how much you enjoyed her class and how much she’s helped you grow throughout the year. There are plenty of other things you can give a teacher for appreciation, too, such as a delightful fruit arrangement or a box of decadent chocolate covered strawberries.
What do most teachers want as gifts?
Most teachers want well-behaved and polite students more than anything else, but what most appreciate as gifts are gifts that come from the heart, such as a handwritten note of thanks or a thoughtful card. Most teachers also appreciate gifts they can use for their classroom, such as pencils, sticky notes, paper clips, stickers, dry erase markers and erasers, colored pencils and markers, and more. Gifts they can eat are also appreciated by most teachers, such as a beautiful arrangement of fresh fruit favorites and chocolate dipped fruits or a box of her favorite desserts like brownies, mini cheesecakes, and fresh-baked cookies.
What do teachers not want as gifts?
While your teacher will love any gift you get for her, most teachers have enough mugs and insulated cups to use a different one every day of the year. Christmas ornaments are another common gift, meaning that she probably has enough of them to fill a dozen Christmas trees. It’s also a good idea to stay away from candles and scented lotions and sprays, as different people have different sensitivities to various scents.
What do you put in a teacher appreciation basket?
Gift cards, colored markers and pens, sticky notes, thumbtacks, fun stickers, snacks, and journals or books (if you know her taste well; otherwise opt for a gift card to a local bookstore or online retailer) are all good things to put in a teacher appreciation basket. You can even give your favorite teacher an entire gift basket filled with her favorite sweet treats like candied nuts, gourmet flavored popcorn, chocolate confections, chocolate dipped fruits, fresh-baked cookies, and other tasty treats.
