This has been a very strange year for students and teachers alike. We ended the 2019-2020 school year from the comfort of our homes, while teachers tried their best to adapt to teaching online. And the 2020-2021 school year started with half our kids at home and the other half wearing their masks during school and practicing social distancing to the best of their abilities.
Teachers have been hanging in there, doing everything they can to support our kids through this incredibly changing time. They spent their summer working through ways to adapt their lesson plans, their desk setups, and their own teaching strategies to be COVID-19 compliant.
Whether you are enrolled in virtual learning or in-person schooling, the end of 2020 is a great time to show teachers a little love. These 8 gift ideas are a great way to show teachers you appreciate everything they have done.
In-Person Teacher Gifts
Because you can see your teacher in-person, you have a lot more gift-giving options. Be sure to skip the homemade foodstuffs this year—simply as a precaution.
School Supplies
This year has been especially difficult on teachers’ in-classroom budgets—finding some fun office supplies that they can use in the classroom or their own home is a great way to support their students and show them that you care.
Mask Lanyards
Make it easy for teachers to keep themselves and your kids safe while also giving them the chance to stay stylish. We love these face mask chains from JZ Mask Shop—they are equal parts beautiful and practical. Add in a fun bottle of hand sanitizer and a matching mask, and you’re all set.
Self-Care Gift Basket
We love the idea of giving teachers a little R&R over the holiday season. Pull together some of your favourite self-care items—bubble bath, hot chocolate, a bath bomb or two, a great book—and voila, you’ve given your kid’s teacher the perfect at-home getaway.
A Bottle Of Wine And/Or A Box Of Chocolates
If you know that your kid’s teacher would appreciate it, a nice bottle of wine and/or a fancy box of chocolates makes a lovely gift. There are lots of great small businesses in Toronto and the GTA that sell speciality chocolates. We love SOMA Chocolatemaker, Stubbe Toronto, and Mary’s Brigadeiro.
Book-Themed Candle
Okay, this one caught our eyes and we just couldn’t pass it up! Forage Candle sells a candle called Old Books. “Reminded me of walking into a charming old book store,” one reviewer wrote.
Virtual Teacher Gifts
It’s a bit harder to get a gift to your teacher when you don’t see them in person. But don’t fret—there are still great options to show your kids’ virtual teachers that they are appreciated.
Gift Cards
Always a popular teacher gift, gift cards can be bought online and sent via email directly to the teacher’s inbox. When it comes to what kind of gift card to send, there are a few different routes you can go.
You can choose to send a gift card for a big box store that you know most Canadians shop at. Think Amazon, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Chapters—these are all foolproof options that are sure to please. And a lot of them give teachers the option to choose to buy themselves something or invest back into the classroom.
This is a great option for in-person teacher gifts, too.
Alternatively, you can try to find a store that is local to your school’s geographical area. This is a great way to support local businesses and most shops are still doing delivery or contactless curbside pickup. Think bookstores, local bakeries, and stores that have a little bit of everything.
Donations
With the world as it currently is, there has never been a better time to donate to a charity. Choose a charity that has to do with education, or choose a local charity supporting a cause that is near and dear to your heart and donate in their name.
A video message
Grab your smartphone and have your kids sing a Christmas carol, wish their teacher happy holidays, or even have them share their favourite moment of the school year so far.
For more virtual ideas, read our post on End-of-Year Gifts for Teachers.
