My Favorite Things List – Free Teacher Favorites Questionnaire
As a former teacher—and now a mom of four school-age children—I know that teacher gifts don’t need to be large or expensive to be meaningful. Some of the gifts I remember most from my years in the classroom were simple surprises: a favorite drink at pickup, a homemade treat or a heartfelt note from a student.
Now that I’m on the parent side of the classroom, I want to show our teachers how much we appreciate them. The challenge is knowing what each teacher actually likes! That’s why I created this free printable My Favorite Things list for teachers.
This free teacher favorites questionnaire makes it easy to learn your teacher’s favorite snacks, drinks, restaurants, stores, gift cards and more. Print the one-page PDF, have your teacher complete it and keep the answers handy for birthdays, Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week and end-of-the-year gifts.
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How to Use the Teacher Favorite Things Printable
The idea is simple.
Print the one-page teacher favorites form (found at the bottom of this post) and give it to your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year. Once it is returned, save a picture on your phone or share it with your room parents and other families in the class.
You can refer to the completed questionnaire throughout the year when choosing birthday surprises, Christmas gifts, Teacher Appreciation Week treats or end-of-the-year gifts.
What Is Included on the Teacher Favorites Form?
The list includes both small favorites and larger gift ideas. I included questions that can provide gift card ideas as well as inspiration for treats you could make, bake or purchase.
This printable includes questions about the teacher’s favorite:
- Restaurants, fast-food places and stores
- Meals, snacks, candy and desserts
- Drinks and coffee
- Colors, scents, flowers and hobbies
- Gift cards
- Allergies and dietary restrictions
- Preferences for lotion, candles and movies
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to show your appreciation to your child’s teacher.
I also included a yes or no section because often people assume all teachers drink coffee. Many do, but I didn’t—nor does my teacher husband. I never minded candles, but I received so much scented lotion that I could never use it all. Of course, allergies are always helpful to know too.
If one parent asks the teacher to complete this list, it can also be shared with other families in the class, especially when they are looking for teacher gift ideas. This can be particularly helpful for room parents!
Who Can Use This Favorite Things List?
Another nice thing about this My Favorite Things printable is that it can be used for almost anyone!
You could use it for a coworker at your office or staff member at church. You could use it for a favorite babysitter or even a friend when you need gift ideas.
You could even share it with siblings and in-laws before Christmas to gather some new gift ideas. The options really are limitless!
I kept the list general and created it as a black-and-white PDF so anyone can quickly use it.
Whether you use it for a teacher, coworker, friend or family member, I hope it makes thoughtful gift-giving a little easier.
Download the Free My Favorite Things Printable
Download your My Favorite Things printable here.
A completed favorite things questionnaire takes the guesswork out of teacher gifts and makes even a small surprise feel more personal.
Looking for an affordable gift to pair with the printable? Browse these teacher gift ideas under $5 for practical, thoughtful ideas teachers can actually use.
More Favorite Things Printables
Prefer a colorful design? I created a coordinating set of six printable Teacher Favorite Things forms in different styles. You can see the complete teacher printable set in my Etsy shop.
I also created a Christmas Favorite Things questionnaire that works well for Secret Santa exchanges, coworkers, friends and family. See all eight Christmas designs here.
Looking for a meaningful gift idea?
I create custom Oh, the Places You’ll Go keepsake books—personalized for each child and designed to become something they’ll treasure for years.
I’ve created thousands of these over the years, and they’ve become a special tradition for many families—especially for graduations and big milestones.
👉 See the custom keepsake books here.
Our school keeps a similar form for each teacher and support staff member in a binder in the school office. The room mom for my daughter’s class last year was kind enough to snap a picture of our teachers form and text it to parents for reference throughout the school year. It’s nice knowing the Christmas or Teacher Appreciation gift you send is truly something the teacher will enjoy. I like to use it as a reminder of our teacher’s favorite drink. This year is was a particular drink from Sonic that I was able to hand off during carpool pick up at the end of a long school day. Great towards the end of the year when the days are long and hot.
Oh, I love this! I’m going to try and make a book like this at our school! Soooo helpful for all the parents and the teachers! 🙂 And yes! A nice cool drink at the end of the day is such a sweet idea. I’m sure it was greatly appreciated, Leslie!