17 Best Self Care Teacher Gifts (And Ones to Avoid)

Looking for teacher self-care gifts? You’re in the right place.

There’s no denying that a teacher’s job can be demanding. Teachers perform in their role best when they’re taking care of themselves.

Those who appreciate the hard work that teachers do for us can bring them some cheer with a thoughtful self-care gift; something useful and a treat that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.

As a teacher who struggled with demands of the job and eventually burned out, I know how important teacher self care and morale is. I am also touched by those who recognize the challenges of a teacher’s job, and want to bring them some joy with a self-care gift.

If you’re a friend or family member of a teacher, or the parent of a student, and looking to get a gift that will truly help the teacher in your life – I have tips for you on what teachers will be able to use for self-care.

So, let’s jump in – the best self-care teacher gifts, and ones to think twice about.

9 Best Self Care Teacher Gifts from Students

These self-care gifts help teachers look after themselves first, so that they can relax and feel refreshed.

1. A gift card

I know it sounds very simple and like the obvious answer, but a gift card is one of the most appreciated items for a teacher to receive. It allows them to get themselves a treat on the way to work, or buy something to perk up their day.

If you’re a student, or parent of a student – I would recommend sticking to something very basic in terms of gift cards, if you’re not sure what they like.

I used to love receiving gift cards for coffee places and bookstores as a teacher. (Once, I got a gift card to the liquor store which was appreciated too!)

Gift card suggestions for your child’s teacher:

• Coffee chains such as Starbucks, or any local coffee store
• Bookstores, such as Barnes & Nobles (US) or Indigo (Canada)
• Liquor store, where they can buy a nice bottle of wine

Pro Tip: A gift card doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re a parent to multiple kids, its ok to buy the teachers a $5 or $10 each per card. Any small gesture is appreciated and enough to add to self-care

2. A non-scented candle

Candles are a useful, and consumable gift that symbolize relaxation for a lot of people.

You’re definitely on the right track if you were thinking of getting a candle. Just make sure it’s non-scented, or only lightly scented with a natural ingredient.

Any candle (or gift) that you buy for the teacher should be non-scented, because you may not know what tolerance they have to scents, or which scents they like.

As a teacher, I gave away a few creams and candles because the scent was too strong for me.

Homemade candles from local businesses are always a nice treat. There are also really nice ones like this one on Amazon that make good self-care gifts.

3. A ‘teacher self-care’ kit

You can either buy, or make a teacher self-care kit from scratch. These gifts are very sweet and are a reminder to the teacher to stop, take a break and spend some time caring for themselves as they have all of their students.

It makes a perfect teacher gift right before a break (such as Christmas or summer) so they can spend some time using it to destress and recharge.

Here are things to consider adding to a teacher self-care kit (you can choose any number of these, and put them in a basket or small box.)

4. A notebook

Buy a cute blank notebook that doesn’t have any direction as to what it is for. This way, the teacher can use it for whatever they need it for.

They could use a notebook for journaling, doodling or making lists – whatever helps them the most.

Most teachers know that handwriting is a calming activity that helps us relax, and process our thoughts. So, a nice notebook makes a nice gift to help the teacher recharge.

Pro Tip: Add a matching pen to complete the package!

5. A card or note from the student

Teachers want to know that they’ve made an impact and that their hard work has made a difference.

A heartfelt note telling the teacher how much your child appreciated their lessons, the impact they’ve made on your child and how much you appreciate their help is one of our favourite gifts to receive.

This note can be written on a card, or on a piece of paper that you fold into a card. This kind of note or card is something the teacher will cherish for many years to come.

6. A microwavable heat pad

One of the best student gifts I ever received was a handmade microwavable heat pad to put on my shoulders when they’re sore.

Heat pads help with neck, shoulder and upper back pain by increasing circulation. If you’ve ever used one, you’ll know how much better than can make you feel if you have sore muscles. You can also read about the medical reasons why heat pads help here.

A heating pad is something I never would have thought of as an idea unless I’d received it myself. But of all the teachers gifts I’ve ever received, this heat pad is something I still use it to this day.

The family who gave it to me said that they make them at home, and give them out every year as teacher gifts (oh, and the mom is a teacher herself, so she knows what teachers need.) What a good idea!

If you like the idea of getting a heat pad, you can make one yourself. Or you can find really cute ones, like this one on Etsy that are more ‘gift’ looking.

7. Allergen-free food items

Food is often appreciated as a teacher self-care gift, but try to stick to things that are very basic and general; that you’re fairly certain the teacher likes or can eat.

As a teacher, I received so much chocolate, that I often didn’t know what to do with it. And to be honest, I’m not a big chocolate eater. (Some teachers may even be intolerant to dairy.)

Food can be a great self-care teacher gift, but only if it’s something they can use.

Here are a few ‘safe’ foods that you could include as a teacher self-care gift:

• A good quality olive oil
• A jar of good-quality tomato sauce
• Dry soup mix
• Homemade granola
• Dehydrated fruits

8. A comfy throw

I don’t know anyone (teacher or not) who doesn’t appreciate a comfy blanket.

A throw is not only is comfortable in the evenings when you’re relaxing on the coach, but it also helps the teacher create a ‘cozy’ atmosphere in their living area, which is nice to come home to after a hard day of work.

A textured one like this not only looks nice but makes a great gift because it’s useful and something people rarely treat themselves with.

9. Shower steamers

Shower steamers are small tablets that you keep in the shower, and fill the air with aromatherapy.

I recommend ones that are scented with an essential oil like lavender, such as these ones.

Pro Top: Another option if you know they like baths, is a bath bomb.

Best Teacher Self-Care Gifts from Loved Ones

If you’re a family, close friend, married to or dating a teacher, then you can of course still get them any of the self-care gift ideas above. Since you know the teacher personally though, you can also get them a self-care gift that is a little more personal.

10. A membership to a local gym or yoga studio

Exercise is so important for both physical and mental health, and a membership or pass to a local studio will give the teacher in your life more opportunities to exercise.

Some fitness centres and yoga studios have a 10-class pass, or unlimited visits for a certain amount of time (1 month, 3 months.)

If you’re not sure what kind of exercise they like or how much they’ll use it, then go for the smallest option possible to give them a chance to try it out.

11. Freezer meals

After a long day at work, sometimes the last thing teachers have energy for is throwing together a meal, for themselves or their family.

Freezer meals are very useful, especially if you can find some that you know they like.

You can make your own freezer meal for them to store away for a day when they need it, or you can buy a nice frozen lasagna, pizza or pasta bake that they like.

12. A bonding activity or game they can use with their spouse

One of the best teacher self-care gifts I ever received was from a parent (but a parent that knew me personally.)

They gave me this kit that came with questions for me and my husband, a small candle and an essential oil roller.

My husband and I loved doing the activity, it was a great way to block out all distractions and really connect – which is great for mental health all around.

There are many self-care kits like this.

13. Nourishing snacks to keep in their desk at school

Food is always one of the best gifts. Up above, I cautioned parents and students from buying food, but as someone who knows the teacher – you know what they like, and something they could eat to feel nourished and energized at work.

I recommend getting them some healthy (or not so healthy) snacks to keep at school, for an energy boost or a pick me up.

These are things that they could add to their teacher survival kit to keep at work.

14. Good quality skincare products

Whether its sunscreen, a moisturizer or a nice serum – skincare is really important, and looking after your skin can pay off and make you feel better all around.

Good qualify skincare products are fairly expensive, so this is a pricer self care gift idea. If you know of a brand that the teacher in your life likes, then I would stick with that one and buy them re-fills.

If you don’t know (or they aren’t into skincare) then stick to something very basic like a daily moisturizer, or buy them a gift card to a spa which they can use for a facial or another service.

15. Their favourite hot beverage

Buy them a package of their favourite hot drink – it can be a bag of coffee beans, tea, or hot chocolate.

This can be a gift in itself, or something you add to a teacher self-care kit idea that was mentioned above.

16. A subscription to a meditation app

Meditation is beneficial for anyone. Teachers in particular benefit from it because most of their days are filled with stimulation and noise. Taking a few minutes to meditate gives them a chance to quiet their minds.

There are several meditation apps out there these days. Most of them have a free version that anyone can use with restrictions. Having the paid version gives you more access to the app and how you use it.

Good to Know: Some meditation apps that are widely used to consider are Insight Timer, Calm and Headspace.

17. Acts of service

Sometimes the best self-care gift isn’t a physical item at all, but a helping hand. As a teacher, it can be hard to balance work and home responsibilities.

Offer to babysit their kids, walk their dog, or even help them get through the laundry or other tasks on their to-do list that they’ve been meaning to get to forever but never seem to find the time.

18. (BONUS) Good shoes

One underrated gift for teachers is a good pair of shoes. Teachers on on their feet for most of the day, and poor-quality shoes can cause issues that show up over time.

Picking out shoes for someone else can be challenging; even if you’re close to them, since you need to know their exact size and what fit they like.

If you can’t get them shoes – maybe a gift certificate for a massage, or to a store where they can pick out a good pair of shoes for themselves.

How to Make a Teacher Self-Care Kit

One option for both families of students, and loved ones of teachers is to make a teacher self-care kit. This is easier, and cheaper than you might think.

Step #1: Find the container to keep everything in

This can be a small basket or box, or even just a gift bag.

Step # 2: Determine which self-care items will fit (or your budget)

There are a number of things you could add to a self-care kit, ranging from generic to a bit more personal (if you know their preferences.)

In this kit below, I included a face mask, and nail polish because I knew the receiver would appreciate that.

Other ideas for a teacher self-care kit (besides the ones mentioned above for # 3) include:

• snacks, candy or chocolates you know they like
• a warm pair of socks or mitts.
• a gift card that you know they could use

Self-Care Teacher Gifts to Think Twice About

Teachers don’t expect gifts and will be appreciative of anything you give them. But if you’re looking specifically for a self-care gift for a teacher, then I want to help you stick to things that the teacher can likely use.

Here are some common teacher gifts that (while much appreciated for the thought and effort) might not be things that will contribute to self care for the teacher.

❌ Mugs

Most teachers have lots of mugs. I cherish mugs that students have given me, but I also admit that I have too many – more than ever get used.

If it’s a first-year teacher, then maybe you could get them a “best teacher ever” mug, and I’m sure it will make their day. But if they’ve been teaching for a number of years, there’s a good chance they already have a lot of mugs.

❌ Chocolates

Chocolates are always a nice gesture. But there are so many different kinds of chocolates, that its hard to know what the teacher’s preference is – or if they eat chocolate at all. I personally avoid dairy in my diet, but received more chocolate than I knew what to do with every Christmas and June.

I appreciated the gesture of gifts of chocolate of course; sometimes I didn’t eat it myself but shared it with others. So, I would recommend a different option if you want to find a good self-care gift for a teacher.

❌ Any ‘stuff’ gifts

‘Stuff’ gifts are items that can’t really be used or consumed; they are more for decoration. The problem with these gifts is that without knowing someone’s personal style or what they like, its very hard to pick something for them to hang up as decoration or keep on their shelf.

A good self-care gift for teachers is something they can use for self-care.

Final Thoughts on Self-Care Teacher Gifts

Any gift is always appreciated, but I hope that I have helped shine the light on teacher self-care gifts that the teacher will be able to truly use to recharge.

As a former teacher, I appreciate that people like you are looking out for teacher mental health and want to get them a gift that will help with self-care. I’m certain it will brighten their day, and remind them to take the breaks they need to care for themselves.