Teacher gifts feel like a struggle every year. Ask any teacher what they want as a year-end gift and you’re likely to be told, “I don’t expect anything,” or, “A homemade card is all I need.” But then, maybe with some poking and prodding, they might say something like a gift card they can use to stock their classroom, perhaps to Dollarama or Indigo.
And that’s a perfectly understandable and reasonable request. But, if you want to give your kid’s teacher something a little more personal, or something that’s more for the teacher than their class, check out our list of teacher gifts from Toronto below. It rounds up over a dozen local Toronto stores and businesses where you just might find the perfect gift that says, “Thanks for teaching my child!”
Ideas for Thoughtful Teacher Gifts from Toronto
August Kinn
Walk through the first floor of this shop, past all baby and little kid stuff, and down the stairs to a space filled with fantastic gifts, many of which are designed to induce relaxation. Options include luxurious body butters and sugar scrubs from LoveFresh, relaxing bath soak from K’Pure Natural Body Care, and fragrant soy candles from a variety of small brands. August Kinn is located at 1374 Danforth Avenue.
Cocktail Emporium
If you know that your kid’s teacher enjoys a strong drink (or maybe just pretty glass wear), stop by Cocktail Emporium. It stocks everything from tiki-themed mugs to bar tools to non-alcoholic cocktail ingredients like cherries and flavoured syrups that even teetotalers will enjoy. Cocktail Emporium has three physical locations, at 20 Kensington Market, 972 West Queen West, and inside Union Station. It also offers online shopping and delivery, and gift cards.
Gardening Gear & Plants
If your kid’s teacher has a green thumb, you’re sure to find something for them at the Evergreen Garden Market, located inside the Brick Works. There you’ll find plants, gardening décor and equipment, and a nice variety of gift-y, non-gardening gear. Or grab something for teacher while you pick up groceries at Fiesta Farms, found at 200 Christie Street. This beloved grocery store is also home to a well-stocked plant nursery that sells all the essentials as well as some pretty hanging baskets and other floral arrangements.
Chocolate & Other Sweets
Is your kid’s teacher a bit of a mystery to you but your kid has spotted them nibbling on the occasional chocolate bar or other sweet? Food, and in particular, pretty chocolates, are usually a safe bet (worse comes to worse, the recipient can always re-gift them). Mary Brigadeiro makes some of the loveliest (and tastiest) chocolates in the city. Located at 1912 Danforth Avenue, this shop specializes in made-on-site Brigadeiroes, a traditional Brazilian dessert than comes in over a dozen flavours. Also available are chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, and even a do-it-yourself Brigadeiro kit.
Or consider a gift of classic Belgian chocolate. De Meersman Chocolate, at 820 Yonge Street, sells handmade treats made from the highest quality cacao. Bars, truffles, and fancy items from across Europe are all available here. Both spots will gladly put together an assorted box of treats that are sure to wow.
Gift Certificate for Live Entertainment
Is your kid’s class doing a group gift, where a bunch of families pool funds together to get a bigger present? If yes, and if you’re struggling with what to spend all that money on, consider a gift card to a live show or theatrical production. A gift certificate to Mirvish is usually a safe bet but options to consider for live theatre include Soulpepper in the Distillery District and Crow’s Theatre, at 345 Carlaw Avenue.
If you think teacher would prefer live music or comedy, grab a gift card that’s valid for both Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, which are respectively located at 178 Victoria Street and 60 Simcoe Street, and offer a wide range of programming.
Hanji Gifts
Shops don’t get much more adorable than Hanji Gifts. While it’s best known for its stunning cards and stationery, Hanji also sells a variety of teacher-gift appropriate items including planners, magnets, and fancy pens and pencils. Or if you have a good sense of your kid’s teacher’s style, grab them one of the beautiful scarves or other accessories that Hanji offers. Hanji Gifts offers online shopping or stop by one of its two locations, one at 619 Bloor Street West and another at 940 Queen Street West.
Independent Bookstores
It’s probably a safe assumption that your child’s teacher loves reading. Another safe assumption? That a gift card to a bookstore will be put to good use. Toronto is also home to some fantastic independent book shops that could use your support. Type Books has a location across from Trinity Bellwoods Park as well as shops in the Junction and in Forest Hill. Type sells a wide genre of books as well as games, stationary items and even kids’ products.
If you suspect your teacher would prefer a gift card to a shop that focuses on books for children, check out Ella Minnow Children’s Book Store in the Beach, Mabel’s Fables in Davisville, or Moonbeam Books near Bloor Street West.
Liberty Village Gift Card
Does your kid’s teacher live in or near Liberty Village? Or maybe they’re the type of person who enjoys exploring the city? If yes to either question, consider grabbing them a gift card from the Liberty Village BIA. Gift cards are good for a variety of shops, services and restaurants including Big Rock Brewery and Quest XO Chocolate.
Socks from Sock Footage
Here’s a safe bet for that teacher you just don’t know very well: Socks! While you can find fun socks in a number of stores, we’re highlighting Toronto’s Sock Footage because it donates a pair of socks for every pair that you buy. All kinds of designs are available, including sports-themed, nature-themed, and some more classic styles. Sock Footage is primarily an online retailer, but it does offer curbside pick-up so that you pick up your order ASAP. Or head over to its sock vending machine at Dufferin Mall.
Spacing Store
We’ve recommended this shop before and we’re including it again because if offers some of the cutest gifts in Toronto. Located downtown at 401 Richmond Street, this shop sells all kinds of Toronto and Canadian themed products including shirts, mugs, and that item no teacher can get enough of: Tote bags. Spacing also offers a well-curated selection of books that run across such genres as graphic novel, poetry, and architecture.
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