Whether your child is in elementary school or you're a student who is very thankful for their teacher, gift buying for a teacher is not easy! You want to get them something they will love, use and remember! Here are a few ideas to keep in mind while you're out doing some last minute shopping:

1. Gift Cards

These are always a great idea because you don't even have to worry about getting the perfect gift when that is the ultimate gift. It can be to any clothing store, grocery store, coffee shop, sweets shop, restaurant, craft store, shoe store, etc; I'm telling you, the possibilities are endless!

But if you're like me and you like to give "actual" gifts, the following are good suggestions for you:

2. School Supplies

Again, there's an endless selection when it comes to school supplies for a teacher. It's halfway through the year and I can guarentee you they're running low or they're out of what was supposed to last them all year. Supplies disappear, they get damaged, thrown away or they are accidentally taken home and never brought back. Teachers LOVE sharpies, colorful pens, sticky notes, stickers, blank notecards, double sided tape, paper clips and more. You really can't go wrong with school supplies because if we don't use them that year, we save them for the next!

3. Fun socks!

Just because you don't see our socks doesn't mean they're boring! I wear mismatch socks every day but nobody would ever know! Well my students do, but that's because they like to know what crazy socks I have on that day :) Teachers like fun, bright, colorful things which means we want socks that fit those descriptions. Cute teacher ones, crazy colors, animals, seasonal, holidays are all loved and accepted. Fuzzy socks are a bonus during Christmas!

4. Handmade gifts

We love our students and we love handmade gifts even more. They mean so much to us when kids take the time to use their creativity to make us something beautiful. Handmade ornaments are popular and always a success.

5. Soap/Handsantizer

But none of that boring stuff, we want brightly colored bottles that smell wonderful when we use them. No teacher can have too much of these because we happily say NO to germs!

6. SUGAR!

Really, no joke. Sugar in any form because I promise this is what we live off of. A favorite drink, a favorite candy, a thing of k-cups, etc.

7. Flowers

If it is a female teacher, flowers are perfect. They brighten up the room and kids will happily help you water them every day!

8. Parent Help

This may sound strange but teachers will be so thankful. A coupon saying "volunteer for a day in your class" will make a teacher go wild! They have 1 million things they need copied, stapled, folded, etc.

9. Donation in their name

As teachers, it is in our blood to give back. Find out something we are passionate about (a local shelter, a fundraiser, a non profit organization) or just a local philanthropic cause in need & donate in your teacher's honor. More specifically, the website DonorsChoose is for teachers in need of funding for so many different projects, objects, activities, etc. You can search through an endless amount of classrooms who could use your donation and putting it under your teacher's name would mean so much to them.

10. Donate a book in their honor

I've seen this done & it was such a sweet gesture. A student bought their favorite book that the teacher had introduced them to & donated it to the school library in her teacher's honor. Something that can be cherished and used for a very long time.

11. Write a letter/Draw a picture

We do what we do because we love it. And what we love most is knowing that we are making a difference in our students' and parents' lives; let your teacher know that they are! Tell them they are loved, needed and appreciated. Everyone could always use a pick me up and a reminder to why we get up everyday to teach the minds of our future leaders.

What you shouldn't give:

-Coffee mugs (unless you're in my classroom, because I can never have too many)

-Candles (again, I love candles. I could always use more)

-Homemade food

-Money (NO NO NO! JUST GET A GIFTCARD!)

If you know your teacher is in need of a mug or candle, BUY IT! Some teachers want those (like myself) no matter how many they already have. Know your teacher & you'll be alright :)