Every year, “best Christmas gifts for teachers” mysteriously makes its way up the charts of the most searched terms. Along with this increased search also comes thousands of gift cards ordered on Amazon. Of course, besides the reliable Amazon gift cards, students also prepare cards, food, and other fun gifts that they think teachers will enjoy. In this article, I have asked some of our teachers what the best or most interesting gift they’ve gotten from a student. Join me in this guide (that I have disguised as an interview) to see what gifts teachers like the most from their students!
“The funniest gift I ever received was a wooden comb. My hair has become a physical metaphor for the sheer chaos of teaching—specifically, the knot created every time a student confuses the basic Test for Divergence with some grand, complex theorem. I swear, the mathematical knot in my hair tightens with every incorrect utterance. I now keep that rustic comb on my desk, a brave, smooth, silent soldier reminding me that one day (perhaps this winter break) I will successfully detangle the snarls. (P.S. While I appreciate the thought behind this wooden relic, future gift-givers should note that the best thing that truly solves the entropy caused by Calculus is caffeine/gift cards).”
- Ms. Wendel
“The best and the most interesting Christmas gifts are different. The best gifts, as in the most useful, are probably Amazon gift cards. They’re a nice little bonus to being a teacher. However, the more interesting Christmans gifts are ones that are handmade or personalized. I’ve gotten a chemistry-related Christmas ornament one year, which was nice. I’ve also received a chemistry- related mug. Cards are also nice. Those types of gifts are appreciated.”
- Dr. Moshofsky
“It’s not a gift, it was a card. It was a card that didn’t just include the regular greetings and instead actually reflected on something that happened in the class. They wrote about something that happened in the class and how it affected them.”
- Ms. Randa
“The most interesting gift I have received was an unwrapped chocolate chip cookie that a student pulled out of his back pocket. He proudly handed it to me, pocket lint included, wished me “Happy Holidays,” and said he had baked them himself. His sense of accomplishment and excitement was priceless.”
- Ms. Myers
“Year of the Rabbit Collector’s Coin (most unique, I have it on display on my bookshelf at home).”
- Mr. Schindler
“I cannot disclose that—but the second most interesting gift I ever receive is people dunking on English class by saying that they like Ms Odell’s Latin class more.”
- Mr. Brady
“While I appreciate the thoughtfulness associated with every gift that I have gotten, the one that I use the most is a pair of socks.”
- Mr. Adam’s BFF (Dr. Noble)
“Necklace with a pendant in the shape of porphyrin (a molecule I worked on during my PhD), and another necklace with a pendant in the shape of a dz2 orbital.”
- Dr. B
“Recently, a sharp-fanged, talking Krusty the Clown doll, which inspired my Krustyland door decor this past October.”
- Mr. Meyerowitz
“One of the best gifts that I received was a beautifully painted tile mosaic. It has ornate floral patterns and vibrant colors. I highly value it because it represents that student’s dedication, hard work, and talent!”
- Dr. Jensen
“A green tennis ball keychain, which I use in my French Revolution class.”
- Dr. Van Dusen
“The first one that comes immediately to mind was a unique mug that a student found on Etsy where the handle was a rock climbing hold. It was a small gift, but I was really touched that the student took the time to genuinely think about who I was, what gift I would really connect to, and then put in the effort to find something along those lines, unique and non-traditional.”
- Mr. Ferguson
“An almost-working ginger-bread replica of a traditional train whistle. Thanks, Melody!”
- Dr. Movshovitz
“Chloe H. croqued me a Totoro. It was magical. And because Chloe H. is Chloe H., she just handed it to me and didn’t tell me that she handmade it. I had to message her on schoology to ask if she did”
- Ms. Banga
“Those are two different things. One of the best gifts I’ve gotten is a makeup pack that had my initials on. It was embroidered with my favorite flowers. The most interesting gift I got was this stuffed animal that was two pieces. It was an apple and a worm. The worm could go inside the apple, and it was cute but weird. Like, what am I going to do with that?”
- Ms. Hetu
Overall, the sentiment is that the unique personal gifts are more appreciated by our teachers. Such gifts show teachers that their students pay attention to their teachers’ likes and dislikes. It’s also evident that our teachers don’t view their most interesting and best gifts as the same thing. While interesting gifts are more quirky and sometimes weird, the best gifts may be more meaningful and useful. Either way, gifts from students are memorable to teachers whether through sentiment or shock factor.
