What To Buy For Teachers: Kmart Edition!

Thursday, November 03, 2016

What to buy for teachers

Coming from a teaching background, as well as having my partner, Jake, working in childcare - we've received our fair share of lovely gifts from our students at the end of the year. While this lovely little surprise is certainly not expected, it's something that a lot of parents and carers like to do, to show appreciation to their child's educators. However, I must be honest with you now - we do see a lot of gifts: the good, the bad, and the 'straight-to-the-charity-shop'. So, I figured I'd use my insight to recommend gift ideas for teachers - and everything is from Kmart (score!).

What to buy:

  • Succulents, potted plants and flowers.
This one is my personal favourite. You can find succulents, potted plants and flowers pretty much anywhere for just a couple of dollars. Put them in a lovely pot for Kmart for an extra few dollars and - voila! I personally love this gift, as there's always something special about being gifted something that's 'alive'. They can keep it on their desk, or take it home and plant it in their garden - either way, it's a nice and thoughtful gift that all teachers will love! (If all else fails - go with a fake one!)
What to buy for teachers

  • Planners, diaries and notebooks.
I think this goes without saying, but teachers do A LOT of writing and planning. Whether it's lesson planning, marking, assessment scheduling or just plain doodling, teachers are always needing paper around them throughout their day. Kmart have some great planners, diaries and notebooks out that are both cheap and stylish, so they're a great idea for a gift. While most teachers will continue using their big, black, chunky planner that they get from the DET, majority would love having a 'nice' one for their own personal use.
What to buy for teachers

  • Jewellery.
This suggestion may err to the more feminine side, but a nice, small piece of jewellery can be a really great gift. Personally, I'd stay away from earrings, incase there are any sensitivities, but a nice necklace or bracelet can be a great surprise for a teacher. Kmart has been a hit lately with their jewellery, and it's all relatively cheap and nicely packaged too!
What to buy for teachers


  • Stationery bits-and-bobs.
I think this goes without saying, too, that teachers go through stationery like no-ones business! I couldn't even tell you how many paper clips, pins, rulers, and bulldog clamps that I went through when I was a teacher. So, why not buy some for them? I've especially been loving the rose gold stationery that Kmart has at the moment, so it adds a special little flare to these normally boring items. Plus - they're cheap, and you know they'll definitely be used!
What to buy for teachers


  • A framed quote or picture.
There's something special about receiving a quote or a picture from someone - it's a sign of "this is how I feel about you", or "this is how you made me feel". For a teacher, it doesn't get much better than that! Get creative with it, and find something special that shows how you feel - even a lovely little drawing from your child can add a real special touch.
What to buy for teachers

What NOT to buy:

  • Mugs.
Please, if you can, just don't buy a mug. I know it may sound like a good idea, because most teachers are coffee drinkers - but everyone else has this idea too, so we end up with dozens of mugs (and no-one needs that many!). Last Christmas, Jake received 12 mugs. 12! Majority of them, we donated to charity, because there was just too many.

  • Chocolates.
Again, this is something that a lot of people think to buy. While it isn't an absolutely terrible idea, just know that we'll give most of it away because there's just too much to eat.

  • Money.
It's weird. It makes us uncomfortable. And we aren't allowed to accept it. We already get our salary, so there's no need to pay us.

  • Class pets.
Personally, I love animals, so I wouldn't hate this gift at all. But for the majority of teachers, we're far too busy to look after a fish, rabbit or lizard, even if it is for the entire class to enjoy. Plus, when its time for school holidays, who do you think is lumped with the task of taking them home and looking after them - yep!


So that's it for my recommendations. I hope that this helped steer you in a direction for gifts that teachers will LOVE, and away from some that we'll politely accept but re-gift later. This isn't from a place of ingratitude, but merely from a place of "hey, I know you might be a little lost and uncomfortable buying a gift for me - here's what I would like".

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A 23-year-old Australian girl, based in Newcastle, Australia.

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