Teachers can be some of the best friends that you will ever make in your adult life. The really good teachers are typically selfless, hard workers. Both their priorities and their hearts are in the right place.

But how many teachers walk away from a promising career in education each year?

 And why?

Can you say “emotional burn-out?”

This is why self-care gifts are so important.

Too many teachers spend all of their time, energy and love into meeting the needs of those around them.

At the same time, their own needs are not being met…and most of them never say anything or even acknowledge that fact.

Too many teachers see self-care not as self-care, but as selfish indulgence and selfishness.

When shopping for self-care gifts, there are a few questions that you should ask yourself:

• Does this item give the teacher a break from her overwhelming responsibilities, deadlines, and obligations?
• Does this item remind the recipient that she herself, as an individual, is valuable and truly deserves good things?
• Will this gift brighten her day?
• Would this gift make myself happy? (If it makes you happy, then it will…or at least might…make her happy too)

And perhaps the most important question: does the gift encourage her to simply slow down and focus only on herself and her needs…if only for a moment?

After all, that one peaceful moment could be all that is needed to turn a terrible school morning into a bright and happy school day.

And now for two more big reasons that self-care gifts are appreciated.

First of all, self-care gifts are gifts that a teacher doesn’t feel obligated to drag along with her for the next 40 years…(trust me, I’m friends with several teachers who are Army wives…those same teachers who have been moving three or four boxes of “favorite teacher” cups along with them from sea to shining sea).

She can use the entire bottle of bubble bath or eat the whole box of chocolate in one week…

She doesn’t have to worry that a kid or parent will visit her classroom or home…only to leave disappointed that the specific gift that she received from that particular kid in this particular year is no longer on display or in use…and possibly in a cardboard box somewhere…maybe even still in my own garage.

And finally, self-care gifts – think Bath and Body Works – are almost always a “safe” gift with a positive message, even when you have no earthly idea what the teacher would actually like…or have to grab something quick because you forgot that this was the last day of Teacher Appreciation week.

Bath and Body Works: You can almost never, ever, ever go wrong buying a gift from Bath and Body Works for a female…unless she’s allergic to it or thinks that a particular fragrance is perhaps Satanic.

Teachers are constantly having to sanitize their own hands, as well as the hands of her students throughout the day.

So help them keep a stash of Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer holder and mini hand sanitizer, such as the one shown above.

And perhaps also gift her with a hand soap refill, such as this Eucalyptus Mint Foaming Hand Soap, because her stash will probably be getting low rather quickly.

Blankets  and Quilts: Most teachers love curling up under a blanket or quilt, watching Netflix, every chance they get.

Most teachers also love shopping on Etsy.

So why not combine these two and get her a blanket or quilt from Etsy?

I had planned on making teacher quilts for my youngest son’s teachers this upcoming year, but…

I came across this one on Etsy for only $40.

Not sure if I could even buy the fabric for that amount of money.

Candles: Candles are a great teacher gift because they can be used both at home and in the classroom. Choices in fragrance run the gamut, but there are a few basic groups to consider when purchasing a candle.

• Calming Scents: lavender, chamomile…to create a tranquil atmosphere, to reduce stress and anxiety
• Citrus Scents: orange, lemon…to put you in a better mood and stimulate creativity
• Invigorating Scents: rosemary, peppermint…to improve focus and the ability to concentrate

Candy: There are several candy shop websites out there that make candy, chocolate and so forth that are perfect for telling your favorite teacher how much you appreciate them. For example, who wouldn’t love a Teachers Rule Box from See’s candies.

Jewelry: Yes, I know that I said jewelry is one of those gifts that you want to avoid…because you typically don’t want to spend the money getting something really nice or you have no idea what she might like. But perhaps teachers are lucky. They can get by with wearing some clothes that the rest of us woudn’t even think about wearing in public…like these earrings Teacher earrings can be found in all shapes, sizes and designs. These pencils will always be sharp.

Lanyard: I remember having to wear a lanyard to work. I always felt like I was putting on a noose that would control each and every moment of the upcoming work day. Perhaps I would have felt different if I had invested in a more “fun” lanyard that expressed my personality and interests…such as this music one. The best site for interesting and entertaining personalized lanyards?  By the Graces

Socks: I love getting and giving socks…even though I pretty much as running around barefoot or wearing Birkenstocks as if I were a hippie, instead of the redneck that I really am. I chose these Etsy finds because I am seriously thinking about buying them for myself, even if I never end up wearing them.

T-Shirts: Another great reason for teachers to surf Etsy regularly is t-shirts. Teachers are luckier than those who have to wear “real” clothes and invest in actual work wardrobes. Totally love this t-shirt because this is something that my teacher daughter is constantly saying.

And now for the first “teacher” gift that I’m planning on giving my daughter this year…

These adorable hair ties to hold those adorable pigtails and ponytails that she has been wearing to school for over two decades…