4 Creative Gift Ideas for Teachers

Back to school season is nearly here, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on clothing, accessories, and supplies for the student in your life. As you prepare the kids for the first day of school, consider starting the year off on the right foot by giving their teachers a one-of-a-kind back to school gift!

Giving a small, thoughtful gift is a great way to show teachers how much you and your student appreciate all they do. Here are some easy, creative teacher gift ideas you can make with supplies from Goodwill.

Storage for school supplies

No classroom is complete without school supplies like pencils, erasers, markers, paper, and glue sticks. Give your student’s teacher a gift they can use all year long by stocking their classroom with necessary supplies. For a simple yet useful gift, shop at Goodwill for glass mason jars and then fill them with necessary school supplies like paper clips or erasers. Have your child help decorate the jar and include a handwritten note of appreciation.

Personalized frame

Help your student’s teacher decorate his or her classroom with a personalized photo frame. First, shop at Goodwill for frames in a variety of sizes and styles. Then, decorate the frames with spray paint, adhesive rhinestones, or even faux flowers. You can fill the frame with a printed inspirational quote or a photo of the classroom. Or make a clever DIY dry-erase board by filling the frame with a blank sheet of colored paper and including dry-erase markers to use on the glass frame.

Sweet treats

There’s nothing like homemade baked goods to brighten anyone’s day. If you love to bake, consider creating a special treat for the teachers in your life. Head to Goodwill to find cookie tray or decorative tins and plates at affordable prices and use them to package up the baked goods. Your student’s teacher is sure to enjoy receiving a freshly-baked treat as they start the school year!

Custom mug

For a fun, personalized gift, make a custom mug for your student’s teacher. Shop at Goodwill for a plain white coffee mug, then use permanent markers to decorate the outside of the mug with drawings, a meaningful quote, or even your teacher’s initials. Let the mug dry for a few hours, then bake it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 °F to ensure the permanent marker sets. Leave the mug in the oven while it cools to prevent any cracks. Then, fill the completed mug with candy, stickers, or school supplies for a cute, customized gift that’s perfect for any teacher. For a fun DIY on how to make a custom mug, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BSWgcOdn5w&feature=youtu.be

Goodwill is the place to find the supplies you need to create unique gifts for the teachers in your life. These gifts for teachers are easy projects that you and your student can make together before the back-to-school season officially arrives.

Best of all, when you shop at Goodwill for back-to-school gifts, you’re not only bringing joy to teachers, but you’re also making a difference in the lives of people in your community! That’s right ““ when you shop at Goodwill, the proceeds from your purchases help fund Goodwill’s job training and support services for people with disabilities and others with barriers to employment living in your community. Now that’s a gift you can feel great about giving!

View our complete list of Goodwill stores in Cincinnati and surrounding areas and start shopping for everything you need to make creative gifts for teachers. Plus, check out our monthly sales calendars to find the best deals at your nearest Goodwill store.