Every school has that one teacher. The teacher whose been there so long, they even taught some of your classmates’ parents. You’re pretty sure they were there when the school first opened its doors, and that they’ll still be there well after you and your classmates are long gone.
But there does come a day in every teacher’s life when it’s time to hang up their pointer and retire. If you know a teacher getting ready to leave, you’re probably looking for a gift to help them celebrate.
Here are 21 unique ideas for retiring teachers to help them enjoy their lives outside the schoolroom (believe it or not, they don’t live there!)
Now that they don’t have any papers to grade or lessons to plan, they have so much more time to try new activities. But as anyone who knows a teacher will tell you, good luck getting them anywhere if they haven’t had their caffeine!
This insulated stainless steel tumbler proudly declares that “The Legend Has Retired,” so everyone at sunrise yoga knows just who they’re in the presence of. It holds 16 oz and is available in pink or black.
Maybe your soon-to-be retiree has no plans of getting up until well after the sun. No matter what time their day starts now, congratulate them on their newfound freedom and help them kick off their morning with coffee and a chuckle. This 11 oz mug reads “Retired Teacher: Every Child Left Behind.”
Because no matter how much they loved shaping young minds, they are enjoying some well-deserved “me time” now. Perfect for your favorite wise guy. It’s also dishwasher and microwave safe.
No, they’re not going to proofread your book report for you. But they will still probably correct your grammar on Facebook. For the retiring teacher who has circled a whole library’s worth of spelling errors in red pen.
“Retried Teacher. Retied Teacher. Retired Teacher. I’m Done Teaching” is printed on both sides of this 11 oz mug. Nothing tells your favorite retiring teacher you love them like letting them know they are officially off the hook for making the same mistakes they spent their entire career correcting.
All jokes aside, teachers are heroes. As this 15 oz mug so eloquently says, “Never forget the difference you’ve made. Thank you for everything. Happy retirement.” If you want to let them know how sincerely grateful you are for all their years of nurturing young minds, and still get them their morning coffee (seriously, teachers love their caffeine), this mug is a great addition to their pantry.
Even though it’s lovingly handcrafted, it’s still dishwasher and microwave safe. You can even have it personalized! They won’t be able to tell if they’re all warm inside from this cute mug, or the coffee they’re drinking.
Now that they’ve got all this free time on their hands, they can finally start that garden they’ve always wanted! This little 4″ cube planter will get them started, and give them a confidence boost by reminding them “You’re the Best Teacher of All Thyme.”
The set comes with a durable, cube-shaped wooden planter box, thyme seeds, and peat pellets. Instructions are included on the box, just make sure you remind them to read and follow all directions carefully.
They’ve got lots of things to be carrying around now: their latest knitting project, a planner to keep track of their thriving social life, some snacks for them (no they didn’t bring enough to share with everyone). But one thing they’re not carrying around is your homework.
Replace their worn-out school bag with this fresh cotton canvas one that proudly declares “This Bag Contains Absolutely Nothing Urgent Mind Numbing or Stressful #retiredlife.”
Now that they don’t have to rush anything, make sure they’re not rushing to finish their drink before it gets warm. This cooler will keep their canned drink insulated, so they can savor it. You can pick their favorite color, or the colors of their now former school, from almost 30 different options. Choose eany color of vinyl for the text: “Retired! Not My Problem Anymore.”
A beautiful piece of jewery to remind a retired teacher that they’re leaving behind a legacy that will outlive them by decades. This decorative stone features a hand painted quote that says “Thank you for helping me grow…”
For the teacher who can’t wait for the day they no longer have to mind their manners. Now that every day is casual Friday, they’ll get a lot of use out of this shirt that reminds everyone “School’s Out Forever. Retired and Loving It” It’s made from 100% high-quality cotton for their comfort and available in different colors.
For the former teacher who’s planning to spend their retirement flexing their culinary muscles. They can display the laser engraved “Happy Retirement” side as decor or a serving platter, or use it as a traditional cutting board. It’s handmade from flexible bamboo wood with a high-quality finish. It lays flat to the counter so it won’t slip and is resistant to knife scarring.
To remind them how many bright minds they’ve inspired over the years. This rustic tea light candle is hand-carved from natural maple wood and each one is a unique piece of art. They’re available in a variety of designs, or you can choose your own personal message to be engraved.
Add the retiree’s name, years teaching, school, and even who it’s from, so they’ll always remember who they left an impact on. It measures 6.5″ L x 2″ W x 6.5” H and comes with a tea light included.
“I came. I taught. I retired.” Any teacher would be delighted to receive one of these super comfortable Bella t-shirts as a gift, but your favorite history teacher will find it especially humorous! (It’s a Julius Caesar reference. We promise not to tell them if you didn’t recognize it.) It can be purchased in two different styles, plus the design is also available as a sweatshirt. Pick from 8 different colors as well.
A great way to wave goodbye to the teacher whose going to be spending a lot of time by the ocean now that they don’t have to go to school every day. This “Beaching Not Teaching” sign is handmade from handpicked natural wood, so no 2 signs are the same. Each piece is lightly sanded to reveal the natural grain, rubbed with a rustic stain, and finished with a UV protectant sealer.
It comes packaged in biodegradable packing peanuts and recycled boxes, a bonus for the teacher who was always reminding everyone where the recycling bin was. They’ll even gift wrap it for you!
Now that they are retired, they are kicking their feet up and getting some well-earned rest and relaxation. If you even think about asking them to do something, these socks will remind you that they are off the clock forever.
They clearly read “I AM RETIRED. DO IT YOURSELF” on the bottom just in case anyone forgot. These unisex socks are made from a cotton blend and fit women’s shoe sizes 4-13 and men’s shoe sizes 5-12.
So they can chronicle all the books they’re reading for fun and not for class! Perfect for any teacher whose “To Be Read” list has been growing longer by the year.
My Book Journal: A 100-Book Reading Diary for Bibliophiles gives them plenty of space to record their thoughts on those first hundred books, plus a monthly book challenge, suggestions for both classics and popular genre titles, and book-club questions! There are even fun top 10 lists for them to fill out.
Another great idea for a retiree whose love of books doesn’t end in the classroom. This handmade wooden bookmark is printed on maple wood veneer and each piece is completely unique! It comes with a beautiful message and you can add your teacher’s name under the beautiful flower engraving. They even come packaged and ready to gift.
It’s all fun and games now that they’re retired! Remind everyone with this rustic handmade “Let the recess begin” sign. Customize it with your teacher’s retirement date! You can pick the month and year or just the year. The crackled warm white background gives it a homey feel and the rusty star accent finishes it off nicely. It comes with a black frame and a tan or gray stripe around the text. This sign measures 6″x25”.
Your favorite retiring teacher has almost certainly had their share of laughs and had to put up with a good deal of shenanigans (from both the students and the faculty) over the course of their career. This second edition of The New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons, updated in 2012, includes over 100 cartoons highlighting the emotional highs and lows of being a teacher.
This book was compiled by The New Yorker’s own cartoon editor Robert Mankoff and features an introduction by celebrated cartoonist Lee Lorenz. This is the perfect gift to help them reflect back on their career with fondness and humor.
For the former teacher who’s most excited about the fact they no longer have to wait for summer to go on vacation. Reader’s Digest’s The Most Scenic Drives in America details 120 spectacular American road trips from Florida to British Columbia, Hawaii to Maine. In this book, they’ll find routes for their next cross-country road trip or back roads to explore in their own state.
Routes are grouped by Western, Mountain, Central, and Eastern, so they can easily narrow their route down from the general region they want to explore. Each route also includes information on mileage, the best season to visit, nearby attractions and special events, and even tourism websites to visit for more information.
The perfect gift to let them know you understand that just because they’re done working, doesn’t mean they’re done living.
A great last-minute gift if you want something personal but don’t have time to wait for shipping. These signs are designed from the artist’s own photographs and personalized with your teacher’s name and your choice of one of 4 inspiring quotes.
You can also write in your own special quote to make it even more memorable. It can even be designed with custom dimensions to fit into any frame of your choice.
A stylish, hard-to-misplace way for them to keep track of all their post-retirement plans and wishes. It’ll also serve as a conversation starter for all the entertaining they can do now. They’ll have a perfect Segway to show off those renovations they’ve been making to the spare bedroom or a reason to bring out the photos from their Mediterranean cruise last month.
Most importantly when they see it every day, it’ll remind them that they’re “retired from work, not from life.”
21 Thoughtful Gag Gifts for Doctors If there is one person in your life that you can trust more than your close family members, it has got to be your doctor. The role of a good doctor is simply invaluable in your life. Your doctor gives you hope to carry on, during tough situations. A
27 Gifts for Dentists Picking up a present that represents the person you’re giving it to is always appreciated due to its unique design for that particular person. People tend to appreciate more those gifts that fit with their personalities and hobbies, rather than those that are just on convenience store away or are just generic.
Gift Ideas For PhD Students – 27 Unique Ideas Pursuing a PhD can be a challenging and demanding process, and it’s important to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of PhD students. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, or just a way to show you care, finding the perfect gift for a PhD student
Funny Gift Ideas for Hairdressers – 27 Unique Ideas In the world of beauty, trust is the key to success. Whenever you venture into a new beauty salon or shop, you need to trust the hairdressers. If you want them to trust you, you need to trust them first. So, what can you get your
Gift Ideas for a Landscaper – 27 Special Ideas The best way to show someone you care is with a gift. You know, the gift that says “I love you” without saying anything. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive or detailed. It can be as simple as a card or as complex as a
21 Gift Ideas for Hair Salon Opening Starting your own business is one of the most important moments in your life. Being your own manager has many perks, as this gives you an immense blend of freedom with responsibilities. Do you know of a friend who plans to start their own hair salon? Apart from
Funny Gift Ideas for Truck Drivers – 27 Unique Ideas Working as a truck driver can be difficult at times, and a lot of it stems from the lifestyle that comes with the job. Long hours, demanding schedules, and a lot of isolation can all add up to make truck driving a difficult position. If
21 Gifts for Classics Majors Someone who understands the depth of literature will always try to find meaning in everything in and around them. While they are someone who loves literature they are that one friend that is obsessed with gowns, bows and the deep dark essence of writing that is revived by either Sylvia
Funny Gift Ideas for New Drivers – Best 27 Ideas Driving a car can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for those who have never driven before. The prospect of knowing how to navigate around other drivers, traffic, and pedestrians safely can be overwhelming for most first-time drivers. Fortunately, there are a variety of new drivers’-specific
21 Awesome Gag Gifts for Teachers Teachers are our second mothers, undoubtedly. They deserve all the love and respect from us. More often than not, their job is underrated. If you want to bring a smile to your teacher’s faces, and appreciate them for the great work that has been doing, here are some interesting
Gift Ideas for a Judge – Best 27 Ideas Today’s judges need to be smart, organized, and productive. They need to know exactly what cases do and don’t require their time and attention. They also need to have a firm grasp on how best to use the various legal tools available. Luckily, there are plenty
Best Gifts for Submariners – 20 Unique Ideas Gifts are our ways to thank someone for the relationship, love, and respect we have for others. They re-connect the bond between the giver and receiver. They reflect both the person who gifts and the one who receives. When you have to choose a gift for someone,
Funny Gift Ideas for Engineers – 27 Unique Ideas Engineers are serious and hardworking people, but it does not mean they live dull lives. Put a smile on their faces by giving funny gifts that they can relate to. Here is a list of presents you can give an engineer. The following items are infused
21 Gifts For a Pilot Dad You don’t need any special day to tell your dad how much he means to you. While some people wait for Father’s Day or birthdays to express their love for their fathers, others are not very good at expressing their love. A nod and a hug are all that
Gift Ideas For Theater Students – Best 27 Ideas Theatre students are a unique breed of individuals who are passionate about the arts and are constantly honing their craft. As such, they require special gifts that cater to their specific needs and interests. Whether they are just starting out or are seasoned veterans, there is
Gift Ideas for Fishermen Under $50 – 27 Unique Ideas One of the noblest jobs anyone can have in this world is being a fisherman. It requires hard work, patience and grit to stay and be successful in this field. So, if you know someone in the family or a friend who is into this
Funny Gift Ideas for Plumbers – 27 Wacky Ideas It’s that time of year again, the holiday season has arrived and with it comes all sorts of gifts to buy for your loved ones. Plumbers are an integral part of everyday life, making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. While many of us only think
21 Gifts for Radiology Students Radiology is the science of studying scientific machines. Radiologists are people who have always been keen on knowing more and more about the human body. When you have a friend, colleague, or close one studying radiology, it is quite a proud moment for you, indeed! However, when it comes to
Gifts for Journalists – 23 Cool Ideas If you know any journalist or blogger, you’ll get to understand how hard it can be to find a good gift for them. They have stressful jobs that demand a lot of time invested in them, so why not focus on getting them some gifts to make both
Gifts For People Who Work Night Shifts Working on midnight shifts is pretty hard, all your well-planned routine gets disturbed, but you have to get the job. If you have a friend who works on these shifts and you want to gift him something that he would love to have, then you are just in
20 Novelty Gifts for Fishermen Fishing has been a passion, profession, and hobby for ages. There is an absolute joy in catching fresh fish from the river, pond, or lake. And this joy can only be felt by dedicated fishermen. If you know someone who explores this joy and happiness often, it’s time you cherish
Gift Ideas for a Garbage Man – 27 Quirky Ideas Our garbage collectors have always been belittled by our society. They are being isolated and discriminated against because of their nature of work. They have developed a sense of inferiority to those people who kept on bullying, shaming and humiliating them. People tend not to
Gift Ideas for Rappers – 27 Cool Ideas “Gifts for rappers” should be an easy topic to find but it’s not. It’s a good thing we took the time to research and make this list because people have a lot of questions about what gifts rappers like the most. There are so many different types
21 Gifts for Computer Science Students Giving away something to a computer scientist s a hard task, as their work is specifically designed for them to have an eye to detail. After all, not all geeky and nerdy gifts tap into the specialized nature of their work and coding. That’s why we’ve lined up a
21 Gifts for Actors After A Show If you get an opportunity to meet your favorite actor after a show, don’t miss it. To lay a good impression on your dream individual, surprise him with a gift. Gifting an actor is quite different from gifting your friends or family members. It is because the
Gift Ideas for Chinese Exchange Students The Chinese culture has a great belief in the tradition of giving and receiving gifts. When you exchange gifts with a person, you also exchange the values, traditions between each other. It establishes/re-establishes or makes your bond stronger. Having an exchange student indulges you in a dilemma if he/she
Opening Night Gifts for Male Actors Actors are people who work hard just to entertain us. In other words, they alter their personality and lives completely to be how we want them to appear on the screen. The little we can do as the audience is to appreciate them for their tireless efforts—bringing the perfect
Gifts For West Point Cadets – 20 Unique Ideas A gift should not be just a decorative item but should be durable, high quality, and unique. Always try to gift something which makes the receiver happy. Gifts make your bond stronger and create a memory for the receiver for a lifetime. When you gift something
24 Gift Ideas for Sax Players Are you friends with a saxophone player whom you want to give a memorable gift? Are the available sax player gift options confusing you? If so, you have come to the right place. To make your saxophone gift shopping easy and fun, we have mentioned some great gift ideas.
Gift Ideas for Marine Biologists – Best 27 Ideas The world is a crazy place, and the oceans are no exception. The oceans are so dynamic that they can sometimes feel like a third space. That’s why it’s important to have ideas for things that everyone can be creative with and inspire in others. There