12 Days of Teacher Holiday Appreciation Guide

Wondering how to celebrate your hard-working teachers this holiday season? Here is an all-inclusive guide packed with templates, tips and more to show your teachers how much you appreciate them for twelve days straight!

To get started, print out the gift tags and signs and follow along with our included checklist of supplies. While your PTO can run this teacher holiday appreciation campaign without much help, there are also plenty of areas to lighten your load and ask for volunteers and donations from your families too. They’ll love the opportunity to get involved and also show their teachers how much they care!

Download: 

• Printable Gift Tags
• Table Signs
• 12 Days Appreciation Checklist

12 Ways to Show Teacher Holiday Appreciation

From yummy snacks to thoughtful little gifts, below is a daily guide to celebrate your teachers for 12 days straight. Included are printable gift tags and table signs! Keep reading to the end for handy tips to make your teacher holiday appreciation efforts a huge success too.

Like the design but want to change something? Make our designs YOURS with these Canva templates: Gift Tags & Table Signs 

Day 1: Hot Cocoa Bar
(table sign and gift tag included) 

Kick off the celebration with a cozy build-your-own cocoa station complete with marshmallows, whipped cream, and fun toppings. Don’t forget to grab some to-go cups so your teachers can take their drinks with them!

Pro Tip: If you have a little extra in the budget, you can purchase some festive mugs that they can keep afterwards.

Day 2: Snow Day Essentials Gift
(table sign and gift tag included) 

Give your teachers some cute winter self-care items like lip balm, hand warmers, lotion, and mints.

Pro Tip: Look for fun seasonal themes and purchase in bulk to keep it budget-friendly.

Day 3: Breakfast Grab & Go
(table sign included) 

Set up a table with bagels, pastries, fruit, and coffee so teachers can start their day with something delicious.

Pro Tip: Set up a sign-up sheet and send it out to families to contribute. Remind them there is no shame in store-bought items!

Day 4: Snack Station
(table sign included) 

Fill your teacher lounge with everyone’s favorite salty + sweet snacks—chips, granola bars, trail mix, cookies, and more.

Pro Tip: If you sent out a Teacher’s Favorite Survey out at the beginning of the year, check that for some inspiration.

Day 5: Cozy Socks Giveaway
(table sign and gift tag included) 

Gift each staff member a pair of warm, festive socks to make their winter days a little cozier.

Pro Tip: Look for one-size-fits-all options, so all of your teachers can happily rock their socks!

Day 6: Warm Wishes Wall

Invite students and families to write thank-you notes and hang them on a hallway “Warm Wishes” display for teachers to enjoy.

Pro Tip: Keep it a surprise and ask your room parents to send out a request for notes, pictures, etc from families.

Day 7: Popcorn & Movie Mix Bar
(table sign and gift tag included) 

Set out popcorn, flavored seasonings, chocolate pieces, and mix-ins so teachers can build their perfect movie-night snack to take home for a relaxing night. 

Pro Tip: Purchase cute popcorn holiday tins your teachers can use to fill their treat and take home.

Day 8: Holiday Hand Soap or Sanitizer
(table sign and gift tag included) 

A simple, practical gift that always gets a smile.

Pro Tip: Choose seasonal scents for a festive touch.

Day 9: Cookie Bar or Cookie Swap
(table sign and gift tag included)

Offer a spread of cookies (store-bought works!) or encourage families to contribute for a traditional cookie exchange.

Pro Tip: Set up a sign-up sheet and ask families to contribute to make your spread extra delicious.

Day 10: Classroom Supply Refill Day
(table sign included)

Restock high-need items like dry-erase markers, disinfecting wipes, tissues, and sticky notes. Teachers love this one! 

Pro Tip: You can either set up a table for teachers to “shop” or send around your teacher wishlists and ask families to donate an item from it.

Day 11: Coffee or Cocoa Gift Cards
(table sign included)

Give a small $5–$10 gift card to help staff enjoy a warm drink on a busy December morning.

Pro Tip: Support local and purchase your gift cards from a local coffee shop.

Day 12: Finale Raffle or Gift Basket

Wrap up the celebration with a drawing for a fun themed basket—self-care, movie night, winter wellness, or local business goodies.

Pro Tip: Announce your winner over the intercom for some added excitement.

Tips for Success

1. Plan Ahead (but keep it simple!)

Look at all 12 days, assign dates, and gather supplies early. The printable table signs and gift tags make it easy to keep each day clear and consistent.

2. Use Sign-Up Sheets to Share the Load

Instead of doing everything yourself, send out the ready-made sign-up sheet so families can donate treats, gift cards, supplies, or time. Parents love having an easy way to pitch in.

3. Prep the Night Before

For early-morning treats like breakfast or cocoa bars, set up as much as possible the day before so your morning volunteers only need to add fresh items.

4. Keep Volunteers Informed

Share the daily schedule with volunteers in advance. A clear plan reduces confusion and helps each day run smoothly.

5. Add a Little Holiday Magic

Small touches go a long way—sprinkles for the cocoa bar, a festive tablecloth, battery candles, or printed signage instantly elevates the experience.

6. Label Everything

Use the printable gift tags and table signs to clearly mark each station or gift. It makes everything look polished and intentional (and helps teachers know how to enjoy each treat).

7. Make It Flexible

If doing all 12 days feels overwhelming, turn it into a 5 Days of Festive Treats or a Week of Warm Wishes. The printables and tags work for any length of celebration.

8. Celebrate All Staff

Include teachers, front office staff, support staff, custodial teams, and aides—everyone who makes the school run.

9. Take Photos to Share

Capture a daily photo to share with families. It builds community, encourages participation, and highlights the work your PTO is doing.

10. Have Fun With It!

The goal is to spread joy, not create stress. Mix and match ideas, keep things easy, and enjoy celebrating the people who make your school amazing.

This content is part of Boosterthon’s PTO Binder: Your free resource for all things PTA and PTO! Our goal is to save you valuable time and help you thrive in your positions by providing you with practical materials like editable PTO templates, outlines, checklists, and more and an online community to brainstorm and collaborate with. All resources are customizable to fit your needs. Build a binder that works for you and rock your school year! Check out all of our FREE PTO resources here and join the PTO & PTA Community Facebook group to meet other leaders like you! 

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