Parenting

17 Teacher Retirement Gifts (Because They've Earned It)

by Emily Popp
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
teacher retirement gifts
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When it comes to the best teacher retirement gifts, you want to get something that shows how much you appreciate all their tireless hard work and dedication over the years. After all, teachers dedicate their lives to giving others an education, so when they finally retire they deserve to kick back and relax (and maybe pour an extra tall glass of wine). So we’ve pulled together the best teacher retirement gift ideas to show them how proud you are and to celebrate their next chapter in life.

While retirement is a relief, it can also cause stress (and a bit of mourning): they’re leaving behind a career and have all this extra time on their hands. What to do now? So we’ve got some great gift ideas that encourage finding a new hobby and will make them excited about their extra free time.

Also, these days when we’re still living in a pandemic, we can’t have big retirement parties like we used to. So sending a thoughtful gift has never been more meaningful.

Below, our picks for the best teacher retirement gifts that say “Yay! You never have to grade a paper again!”

The Best Retirement Gifts for Teachers:

Privatecraft Teacher Retirement T-Shirt

Cue the famous Alice Cooper song from the ‘70s, because “school’s out…forever.” Shirts comes in all sizes (you can even get one for kids if their parent or grandparent is retiring) and come in white, black, red, pink, gold, golden, yellow, silver, rose gold, royal blue, bronze, orange, and green.

$13.52
Proud Retired Teacher Wood Sign

If you’re looking for a more sentimental gift, go for this wooden sign that shows how proud you are of the retired teacher in your life and all the differences they have made.

$18
Next Chapter Gift Card

If you’re giving them a gift card to their favorite store instead of a physical gift, put it in this cute “Next Chapter” card that looks like the ones we used to get when checking out a book. This is particularly perfect for a retired English teacher.

$4.50
No More Papers Tote Bag
$12.99
Mystic Garden Fork & Trowel Set

This pretty fork and trowel set is perfect for the retired teacher with a green thumb, because now they have plenty of time for the hobbies they love.

$34.95
Colorful Venice Jigsaw Puzzle
$16.98
Lula’s Garden Succulents

Instead of the typical bouquet of flowers, opt for something different with this lovely set of three succulents in a wooden box that also doubles as a planter. All the recipient needs to do is add water, and boom! They’ve got beautiful succulents they now have the time to care for.

$39.99
DIY Sparkling Rosé Kit

These days when it’s hard to go out for a glass of wine, just make your own! This fun DIY kit comes with everything you need to make your own sparkling rosé, something that tastes delicious and refreshing year-round (and it has a slight DIY component to it, which is a little more fun than just simply handing over a bottle of wine — not that anyone would complain).

$79.95
In Bloom DIY Embroidery Kit

If the retired teacher you’re shopping for loves to make things with their hands or learn a new skill, give them this pretty DIY embroidery kit. Embroidery kits are especially popular right now, since many of us are stuck at home with nothing to do. 

$30
Retired Teacher Spa Gift Set

Nobody deserves an at-home spa day more than a retired teacher. This gift set comes loaded with goodies including bath salts, bath bomb, cucumber eye compresses, a candle, a retirement mug and more.

$52.25
The Legend Has Retired Wine Tumbler
$17.98
Sterling Silver Compass Retirement Necklace
$39.95
Wine Down Retirement Wine Rack
$44.97
Annevieve Pie Dish

Retirement is the perfect time to start baking more, so give your favorite retired teacher this gorgeous pie plate.

$38
Keys to a Successful Retirement Book
$11.69
Premium Bamboo Cheese Board
$39.95
The New York Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Calendar
$15.17

SHOP THE STORY

Privatecraft Teacher Retirement T-Shirt

Cue the famous Alice Cooper song from the ‘70s, because “school’s out…forever.” Shirts comes in all sizes (you can even get one for kids if their parent or grandparent is retiring) and come in white, black, red, pink, gold, golden, yellow, silver, rose gold, royal blue, bronze, orange, and green.

$13.52
Proud Retired Teacher Wood Sign

If you’re looking for a more sentimental gift, go for this wooden sign that shows how proud you are of the retired teacher in your life and all the differences they have made.

$18
Next Chapter Gift Card

If you’re giving them a gift card to their favorite store instead of a physical gift, put it in this cute “Next Chapter” card that looks like the ones we used to get when checking out a book. This is particularly perfect for a retired English teacher.

$4.50
No More Papers Tote Bag

Remind them that while they may be sad to leave their career, the biggest bright side is that there are absolutely no more papers to grade, ever! This tote can hold a laptop, books, sunglasses, sunscreen…you know, everything you can pack with you on-hand while you’re on vacation because you’re not grading papers  all the time anymore!!! 

$12.99
Mystic Garden Fork & Trowel Set

This pretty fork and trowel set is perfect for the retired teacher with a green thumb, because now they have plenty of time for the hobbies they love.

$34.95
Colorful Venice Jigsaw Puzzle

Retired teachers may not know what to do with all the extra time on their hands, so a 300-piece puzzle is a perfect place to start, especially this one that highlights a beautiful scene from Venice, Italy. Also see: travel goals.

$16.98
Lula’s Garden Succulents

Instead of the typical bouquet of flowers, opt for something different with this lovely set of three succulents in a wooden box that also doubles as a planter. All the recipient needs to do is add water, and boom! They’ve got beautiful succulents they now have the time to care for.

$39.99
DIY Sparkling Rosé Kit

These days when it’s hard to go out for a glass of wine, just make your own! This fun DIY kit comes with everything you need to make your own sparkling rosé, something that tastes delicious and refreshing year-round (and it has a slight DIY component to it, which is a little more fun than just simply handing over a bottle of wine — not that anyone would complain).

$79.95
In Bloom DIY Embroidery Kit

If the retired teacher you’re shopping for loves to make things with their hands or learn a new skill, give them this pretty DIY embroidery kit. Embroidery kits are especially popular right now, since many of us are stuck at home with nothing to do. 

$30
Retired Teacher Spa Gift Set

Nobody deserves an at-home spa day more than a retired teacher. This gift set comes loaded with goodies including bath salts, bath bomb, cucumber eye compresses, a candle, a retirement mug and more.

$52.25
The Legend Has Retired Wine Tumbler

This is a great uni-sex wine tumbler perfect for any retired teacher, because every teacher is a legend in their own right. Made of stainless steel, this tumbler will keep drinks nice and cool, so after they’re done making their own sparkling rosé, they can put it in this tumbler and enjoy.

$17.98
Sterling Silver Compass Retirement Necklace

Remind them that their journey is just beginning with this sterling silver compass necklace that comes in a decorative retirement-themed box.

$39.95

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