30 Teacher Appreciation Gifts Kids Can Make (2024)

FAQs

Is 50 too much for teacher gift? ›

You may not know that most public-school teachers have a limit on what they can accept. The State Ethics Commission for the government of Massachusetts, for example, states that teachers "may not accept any gift worth $50." Most other states have the same ethics code, but with a limit set even lower.

Price range for teacher gifts

“If your child has the teacher for just one period of the day, $10 to $20 is appropriate.” Melissa Verity Baral teaches kindergarten in Los Angeles and tells SheKnows most parents give $25 to $50 gift cards.

There is no set amount you should spend on a teacher gift—it really depends on your budget. A good rule of thumb is to spend around $20-$30, but if you have a larger budget, you could go up to $50.

A good guideline is to keep the value of the gift card modest. Typically, a range of $10 to $25 is considered appropriate and thoughtful. This amount shows appreciation without the risk of making the teacher feel uncomfortable or obligated.

Price range for teacher gifts

“If your child has the teacher for just one period of the day, $10 to $20 is appropriate.” Melissa Verity Baral teaches kindergarten in Los Angeles and tells SheKnows most parents give $25 to $50 gift cards.

Most teacher gift cards fall between $10 and $30, but there is no required amount for a gift card — we're sure they would appreciate any and every amount you want to give! There's no pressure for an amount.

For co-workers, casual friends and your children's teachers, stay in the $10 to $20 range. Gift cards for close friends and family members can range from $25 to $100. When you're selecting a gift card for a spouse, parent or someone else who's very special, choose a card worth $75 or more.

Gifts from a single source aggregating to $50 or more must be disclosed, and gifts aggregating to $520 or more during any 12-month period may subject a school board member to disqualification with respect to the source. (Gov't. Code § 87103(e).)

It's not necessary. A $10 gift card can be just as special as a $50 gift card if you say the right words or pair the gift card with something meaningful. For example, if you are getting the teacher a gift card to a fun lunchtime restaurant, then a $25 gift card would most likely cover the cost of a midday meal.

It may sound un-special, but lots of the teachers we spoke to say they love getting gift cards. “Families often mean well by trying to get you something specific and elegant, but most teachers actually need things that are boring and unglamorous,” says an assistant dean at a New York City private school.

Do teachers like cash gifts? ›

And more than any physical gift, teachers appreciate your support. Whew. OK. That being said, if you're insistent about giving gifts to the teachers you care about this holiday season, there is one gift I can guarantee every teacher is happy to receive and will definitely put to good use: cash.

Versatile gift cards.

Teachers really appreciate gift cards (along with handwritten notes). No surprise here. Think Amazon, Costco, Target or Staples. These allow teachers to buy what they want for their classroom or for personal use.

Money etiquette experts suggest spending $10 to $20 for classmates while expanding the budget to $25 for close friends, $50 for relatives and upwards of $100 for your own children.

It really depends on each individual family's circ*mstances, too. For some, $100 is right on the mark, while for others it's overly generous. It certainly seems that no one finds it stingy, however.