30 Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas (That Teachers Will Actually Like)

Teacher Appreciation Week/Day (or World Teachers’ Day) is your once-a-year permission slip to go big on gratitude, minus the candles. The winning formula? One heartfelt moment + one practical perk or gift. Here are 30 ideas that are thoughtful and actually doable.

Heads-up: In the US, most schools celebrate World Teachers’ Day on the first Tuesday of May, making May 5th the big day for 2026. If your school runs with “Teacher Appreciation Week,” these still work a treat.

With Teacher Appreciation Week, end-of-year celebrations and graduation season all popping up, it helps to have a good plan of action. But looking for the best teacher thank you gifts that feel thoughtful and not like a last-minute grab from the supermarket can feel impossible when you're fighting the clock. Finding that special something is the key to pulling off a killer celebration, and it's not as hard as you think. The best gifts are the ones teachers can actually use and enjoy, and pairing them with a heartfelt thank you card or a custom online group card makes it even sweeter.

Celebration Ideas for Teachers

A few heartfelt (and practical) ideas to celebrate your teacher.

1. Card & gift from the whole class
This is an all-time winner! With GroupTogether, it's super easy for the whole class to add messages and photos onto a card online to create a beautiful keepsake for the teacher. You can even let parents chip in for a gift when they sign the card. One link...no chasing parents in the parking lot. Tiny amounts add up fast and the end result feels personal and useful. Get started here.

2. Class playlist
Ask families to add teacher-approved tracks and build a “Ms K’s Bangers” playlist. The teacher can play it knowing the whole class has contributed.

3. Door of compliments
Cover the classroom door with sticky notes - one word per student: Encouraging. Funny. Calm. Legendary. The teacher will walk into a wall of love.

4. Coffee top-up
Pre-buy some coffees at the teacher’s favorite café near the school. 

5. Polaroid wall
Snap quick pics of each child holding a sign: “This year I learned ______.” Arrange them on a wall for maximum impact.

6. Admin angel hour
Gather a few volunteer parents to help tackle photocopying/laminating/admin during Teacher Appreciation Week.

7. 60-second video montage
Ask each child for a 5-second clip; one parent stitches it together on a phone. You could give a theme e.g. describe Mr T in one word. Cue happy tears.

8. Wishlist wipe
Get 5–10 classroom needs (markers, games, etc.), share the list and ask families to claim an item to cover. 

9. Classroom library boost
Families donate a favorite children’s book, and encourage them to write a little "donated by X in 20XX in appreciation of [Teacher's Name]" blurb inside the cover.

10. Tidy-up blitz
After school, get together a small parent squad to refresh the reading corner/cupboards/etc (with permission).

Class Thank You Teacher Card Ideas

Here's a few ideas to spruce up your teacher card from the class.

11. Candid photo cover
Use a real class photo for the card front cover, it will create a special keepsake for the teacher.

12. "Recipe for a Great Teacher"
Each child adds one “ingredient” to the card: 2 cups patience, 1 pinch of dad jokes, endless kindness.

13. “You helped me…” prompt
Give parents this starter and ask them to get their child to complete it. The specificity is gold: “…love reading”, “…try even when it’s hard.”

14. Quote card
Capture the teacher’s iconic lines - “Show your working!” or “Kind first, clever second.” 

15. Mini art gallery
Ask each child to do a drawing (e.g. of them with the teacher), then get parents to take a photo and add it to the card. Instant gallery, without the teacher needing an extra storage room.

16. Favorite thing about the teacher
One sentence each. Short, sincere and incredibly moving in a card filled with photos and GIFs.

17. Theme it in their favorite color, animal, etc.
If the teacher has a specific or quirky style, ask everyone to choose photos and GIFs that match the theme! E.g. a pink-themed card, or one filled with cat memes. 

18. Favorite memory from the year
Ask each child to add their favorite memory. Sports carnival triumphs, quiet wins, the day the tadpoles escaped…

19. Curriculum cameo
If they've been learning something specific in class recently, tie the theme of the card into that e.g. acrostic poems.

10. Print-and-present moment
With GroupTogether, you can download the card as a PDF and print it for the big hand-over. Pro tip: print it at Officeworks for $2 on A3 thick card stock, and it folds to a beautiful A4 card. Digital keepsake + IRL moment = best of both worlds.

Gift Ideas for Teachers

If you're organizing a gift for Teacher Appreciation Week, here's our top recommendations. All of these are available on GroupTogether, so you can collect money from the class when they sign the card and put it towards one of these. So easy!

21. AnyCard eGift Card

A top pick for Teacher Appreciation Week, the GroupTogether AnyCard eGift Card lets your teacher choose from more than 150 US brands like Target, Amazon, Sephora, Home Depot and more. It's the easiest way to give a thank you gift card when you want them to choose something they genuinely love, so please for the love of all that is good and holy, no more "best teacher" mugs! 

22. Darden Restaurants eGift Card

Treat them to a great night out with our Darden Restaurants eGift Card. It works like a prepaid Visa card at all your fave restaurants, from Olive Garden and Cheddar's to Bahama Breeze. A simple thank you card message paired with this gift card always lands well.

Take a look at some of our best restaurant eGift Cards.

23. Barnes & Noble eGift Card

For teachers who love a fresh read – think English teachers, librarians and history teachers – a Barnes & Noble eGift Card is a classic choice. They can use it for classroom books, planners or a new novel for vacation. It pairs perfectly with a thoughtful thank you card message.

24. Lavender Spa Day Gift Basket

Give them a little self-care with a curated Lavender Spa Day gift basket. We're talking candles, lotions and cozy extras that make unwinding feel easy. Ideal to combine with a thank you card for a teacher who deserves a break.

25. Airbnb eGift Card

An Airbnb eGift Card turns your teacher’s time off into a mini escape. Whether it is a weekend away or a mid-semester reset, this gift card feels personal and thoughtful, while also offering a practical solution to burn out.

26. TJ Maxx eGift Card

Swap the plant for something even more flexible. A TJ Maxx eGift Card lets them pick up homewares, classroom items, accessories or a small treat they would never buy for themselves. It's a fun and practical idea for a teacher thank you gift.

27. Succulent Garden eGift Card

A teacher's office is their home five days a week, so help them make it beautiful. With a Succulent Garden eGift Card, they can decorate their desk with beautiful plants and brighten up their workplace, giving them a chance to breathe in and relax (literally, plants draw the carbon dioxide from the air!). 

28. Sephora eGift Card

Give them a beauty break with a Sephora eGift Card. They can choose skincare, makeup or wellness goodies that help them reset after a long week. This is perfect for those of you who know your teacher has a passion for beauty products. Tip: It's not the kind of gift to choose at random, make sure you read the room!

29. Flowers from the Class

You can order flowers directly through GroupTogether in the US. Pick a bouquet for your teacher and apply any leftover funds to an AnyCard. It is the perfect mix of classic and flexible, especially if you want your thank you card to feel personal.

30. Columbia Sportswear Goods eGift Card

For physical education teachers or the ones who run every after-school sports, a Columbia Sportswear eGift Card is spot on. They can upgrade sneakers, grab new outdoor gear or replace that tired polo. It's a simple way to say thanks for everything they do.

Bottom line: Teachers don’t need grand gestures; they need to know they're appreciated. Keep it personal, keep it simple, keep it practical and keep the tissues handy.

 

Teachers give so much throughout the year, so a thoughtful thank you gift card or a creative class gift is a simple way to say thank you. Whether you choose an AnyCard, flowers, or treat your teacher to a foodie's heaven, it will mean even more when paired with a heartfelt thank you card message. Not sure what to write? We've got a super easy guide to help you write heartfelt messages for your teacher thank you card. 

 

If you want to keep things stress-free, GroupTogether lets you collect money, create an online group card and send the perfect teacher gift in minutes. Easy for you, meaningful for them and guaranteed to avoid the last-minute scramble that seems to be synonymous with any group effort. 

 

FAQ: You Ask, We Answer

What are the best teacher appreciation gifts?

The best teacher appreciation gifts are the ones teachers can actually use. Popular choices include eGift Cards, self care treats, flowers, classroom supplies and thoughtful group gifts from the whole class. A GroupTogether AnyCard is a top pick because it lets teachers choose from dozens of brands. Pair it with a heartfelt teacher appreciation note from parents or students to make it feel personal.

When is National Teacher Appreciation Day?

National Teacher Appreciation Day falls on the Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation Week in the United States. Teacher Appreciation Week runs in early May each year. Many schools celebrate all week with small surprises, thank you cards and gifts to give teachers for appreciation.

Do I need to buy a gift for Teacher Appreciation Day?

You do not have to buy anything, but a simple gesture goes a long way. A kind message, a teacher appreciation card or even a quote for Teacher Appreciation Day shows genuine gratitude. If your school does a class gift, using GroupTogether to collect money makes it easy for everyone to participate without pressure.

What is a good teacher appreciation gift from parents?

Popular teacher appreciation gift ideas from parents include eGift Cards, flowers, a classroom plant, a spa voucher or even simply a beautiful group card from the whole class. Teachers say they value practical gifts and cards that express specific appreciation, especially during Teacher Appreciation Week.

What should I write in a teacher appreciation card?

Short, sincere and specific messages work best. Thank the teacher for their patience, creativity and support. Mention a moment where they made a difference. If you need inspiration, you can add teacher appreciation quotes or Teacher Appreciation Day quotes that match the tone of your message.

What is the easiest way to organize a class gift for National Teacher Appreciation Day?

The easiest option is to use GroupTogether. It lets parents collect contributions online, create a beautiful group eCard and choose a single gift the teacher will love. It removes the stress of chasing people, managing cash and guessing what to buy. You can also use it during Teacher Appreciation Week or at the end of the school year.

Are teacher appreciation gifts expected?

They are not necessarily expected, but they are absolutely appreciated. A thoughtful gesture, a thank you note or a small eGift Card can mean a lot. Teachers work hard all year in an often thankless profession, so show them a little love next Teacher Appreciation Day.

Meet the experts

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether.

Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!