Teacher and Caregiver Gift Ideas

Narrowing down the perfect gift for your child’s teacher, coach, tutor, or babysitter can seem overwhelming. We polled a group of moms and teachers and found out some of the best gifts you can give this holiday season that won’t break the bank. 

1. A thoughtful note is at the top of everyone’s list. A personalized thank-you note for your kid’s teacher to show appreciation for their hard work is sure to be well received.
2. A favorite for many is sweet treats! Cookies by George or homemade holiday treats; either way, they won’t last until the end of the day. 
3. A box of quality chocolates or biscuits. A great option if you know of your caregiver’s preferences or dietary restrictions. 
4. If you’d like to steer away from sweets, fancy crackers with artisanal jams are a great option. You can even pair this gift with a beautiful handcrafted cutting board. 
5. A Christmas tree ornament. You can get crafty and decorate one with your child or pick one up at most retailers. 
6. Gift cards are a sure-fire hit! For the coffee lover Tim Hortons, Starbucks, or McDonald’s all offer gift certificate ages of varying denominations. If you’re unsure, we love giving (and receiving!) gift certificates from Chapters Indigo.
7. It might be tempting to give a bottle of wine; however, we recommend giving a gift certificate to the liquor store instead. The recipient can choose their favourite alcoholic beverage.
8. A personalized gift basket filled with lip balm, hand moisturizer, and hand soaps is useful for nearly everyone.
9. Classroom staples such as whiteboard markers, fine writing pens, a beautiful notepad, or colourful sticky notes make great teacher gifts.
10. A pair of mittens or a warm scarf are perfect for the teacher who works outdoor duty during lunch and recess. 
11. An insulated travel mug is perfect for those early morning commutes. If you know the recipient’s tastes, you could add packets of handmade or store-bought hot chocolate. 
12. A framed handwritten poem from your child to their caregiver. This could be an excerpt from your child’s favorite book or poem your child makes up. You can add a hand-painted and decorated frame to make this an extra special gift.

Any of these are a great way to say thank you to the caregiver in your child’s life. No matter which gift you choose this holiday season, don’t put yourself into debt, showing someone you care. Our pollsters agree no matter what, it’s the thought that counts.