Teachers, especially in elementary school, usually receive plenty of presents during the holiday gifting season. Despite the best of intentions, however, it can be easy to overlook school support staff like paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodians, secretaries, and health room assistants. Whether you are a teacher or administrator looking to give back to your staff or a parent of a student who wants to send a message of thanks, we have the perfect gift ideas for you! Some gifts for paraprofessionals and other support staff are practical, some are sweet, some are funny, and some are all three! Check out our list of the best gift ideas for your school’s hardworking staff.
Quick tip: Check your school’s gift policy before giving; some prohibit homemade treats and/or gifts over a certain monetary value.
Gifts for Paraprofessionals
1. Personalized Gift Card Holder
Since everyone loves a gift card, we can’t think of a more fitting gift for paraprofessionals or any other school support staff member. While a gift card by itself isn’t the most personal of gifts, you can make it special by adding one of these engraved gift card holders.
Buy it: Gift Card Holder at Etsy
2. Personalized Sweatshirt
Although some educator apparel can be tacky, we think this sweatshirt is just plain fun. We especially love that it can be personalized with your favorite paraprofessional’s name.
Buy it: Para Sweatshirt at Etsy
3. Custom Candy Bags
These gifts for paraprofessionals would make for cute valentines, but really they could be given any time of year. If you’re a teacher, administrator, or PTA chair, you could buy in bulk and then give them out to the whole team.
Buy it: Gift Bags at Etsy
4. Wish Bracelet
The best gifts for paraprofessionals are both affordable and sentimental. We love this bracelet since it sends a sweet message and serves as a happy reminder of your student!
Buy it: Para Bracelet at Etsy
5. Personalized Lanyard
These pretty lanyards are the perfect gifts for paraprofessionals who appreciate stylish accessories. You can personalize the adorable tag with a name. Plus, choose from several different bead color combinations.
Buy it: Personalized Lanyard at Etsy
6. Colorful Tumbler
Boy, if this isn’t the truth! Show your appreciation to your favorite para with this cute tumbler with a powerful message.
Buy it: Tumbler at Etsy
Gifts for Secretaries
7. Personalized Greeting Card
Cards with heartfelt notes are perfect gifts for everyone on your list, including secretaries. Give them alone or pair them with another gift of your choice. We love that this card can be given by a teacher, an administrator, or a student since you can customize it with your own note inside.
Buy it: Personalized Greeting Card at Personalization Mall
8. Funny Candle
If you’re looking for gifts for your coworkers at school, this candle works for everyone on your list. Bonus: It will be sure to make your friends laugh!
Buy it: Funny Candle at Etsy
9. Waterproof Sticker
School secretaries are special and are often the most recognizable face in the school, so don’t forget them come the holidays! We love this waterproof sticker that they can use to decorate laptops, water bottles, notebooks, and more.
Buy it: Secretary Sticker at Etsy
10. Attendance Shirt
It’s a fact: Teachers are human and sometimes forget to take attendance. This funny T-shirt is perfect for any school secretary who needs to give teachers a gentle reminder. It even comes in a variety of colors, so you can pick their favorite.
Buy it: Attendance Tee at Etsy
11. Personalized Notepad
Give your school secretary this personalized stationery for all their notes. You can also get similar designs for other school support staff members like nurses, school counselors, and social workers.
Buy it: Secretary Stationery at Etsy
12. Rainbow coasters
A lot of secretaries we know pride themselves on their neat and tidy workspaces. So it would make sense that these personalized coasters would be an apt gift for your favorite school secretary.
Buy it: Coasters at Etsy
Gifts for Cafeteria Workers
13. Cafeteria Squad T-Shirt
This T-shirt is undeniably tasteful and comes with a kind message for your favorite “cafeteria squad.” Gift the whole crew these tees to wear on special days or even just as Friday attire.
Buy it: T-shirt at Etsy
14. Thank-You Bracelet
It’s amazing how much just a little bit of gratitude helps people feel appreciated and valued. Hopefully, every time the person who receives this will remember that each time they look at it.
Buy it: Bracelet at Etsy
15. Badge Reel
This cute badge reel will surely bring a smile to the face of a special “lunch lady” in your life.
Buy it: Badge reel at Etsy
16. Apron
While an apron is a good gift idea for anyone that frequents a kitchen, this option is funny and fitting for the chef who works so hard preparing food for our kiddos.
Buy it: Apron at Etsy
17. Retro Lunch Tray Earrings
These earrings are undeniably kitschy but they are also so adorable. They will surely be a big hit, especially for cafeteria workers in elementary schools.
Buy it: Earrings at Etsy
18. Chef Hats
Why settle for an ordinary white chef hat when you could give your favorite school chef a fun 4-pack like this one?
Buy it: Chef Hats at Amazon
Gifts for School Custodians
19. Tool Belt/Apron
We love the practicality of this gift, which will surely come in handy for that special custodian in your life. With a five-star rating and over 6,000 reviews on Amazon, we trust that this understated tool belt/apron will stand the test of time. We also have ideas for teacher aprons.
Buy it: Tool belt at Amazon
20. Thank-You T-Shirt
This T-shirt would be perfect for a custodian who goes above and beyond. Why would your favorite custodian want to wear a basic undershirt to work when they could wear this one that lets everyone know how much they are appreciated?
Buy it: T-shirt at Etsy
21. Yoda Best Custodian Tumbler
Do you know a custodian who is also a Star Wars fan? This coffee tumbler is equally practical and adorable. We just love the cute play on the word Yoda!
Buy it: Tumbler at Etsy
22. Custodian Sweatshirt
Who doesn’t love a nice cozy hoodie during the chilly fall and winter months? Since this one comes with a sweet message, it will let the special custodian in your life know just how much they mean to you!
Buy it: Hoodie at Etsy
23. Personalized Key Chain
Let’s face it, custodians have to lug around a lot of keys. These stylish key chains will make sure that they do it in style. We love that you can really personalize them to match your favorite custodian’s personality since they come in a variety of shades and fonts.
Buy it: Key Chain at Etsy
Gifts for School Nurses
24. Got Ice? Tee
Your school nurse will love this sassy tee. It comes in 17 different colors in sizes small through 2XL.
Buy it: T-shirt at Etsy
25. Inspirational Posters
Unfortunately, trips to the health room are inevitable, no matter what grade your students are in. Why not share these bright and cheery posters with your school nurse to help make the space a little more welcoming?
Buy it: Posters at Etsy
26. Personalized Pouch
This snazzy personalized pencil pouch can be used in so many ways, from health room supplies to personal items.
Buy it: Pouch at Etsy
27. Alphabet Tee
From “always prepared” to “zillions to do,” this tee captures a day in the life of a health room paraprofessional. Super-cute and maybe distracting in a good way for little ones coming in for help.
Buy it: T-shirt at Etsy
28. Badge Reel
This cheetah/rainbow badge reel will not only make life a little easier for your school nurse, it will add a little pizzazz to any outfit!
Buy it: Badge Reel at Etsy
If you like these gifts for paraprofessionals, nurses, custodians, and secretaries, be sure to sign up for our free newsletters to be alerted when new gift lists are posted!
Plus, check out 5 Reasons Paraprofessionals Deserve Higher Salaries.
