Many of us have had a favorite teacher–someone who has made a big difference in our lives. That’s why teacher appreciation gifts can be an excellent market for Etsy shops. Students (and their parents) are frequently searching for something special for those important educators, whether it be for their birthday, over the holidays, or for Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated each May in the United States.

Here are a few tips to help your shop stand above the competition when it comes to delivering the perfect gift for teachers:

Facilitate Sharing the Thought

Teachers are known for believing that it’s the thought behind the gift that counts. Regardless of the item itself, add some special teacher gift note options so that students can add a message from their heart. Give givers the opportunity to write a handwritten note, or help them by providing unique gift tags and beautiful fonts to include with the gift itself.

Make the Gift Just for Them

If your Etsy shop sells something that can be personalized with a teacher’s name, school, favorite saying, or life lesson, that can seal the deal for some student gift givers. The more options you can provide, the better. Can you allow shoppers to choose favorite colors, personalized fonts, or letter sizes and message lengths as part of their teacher appreciation gift? Help students make the item as personal as possible for their special teacher.

Offer Final Touches

Finally, you may consider offering a gift wrap service, providing a variety of paper and ribbon choices for specific celebrations. Help students make a great impression and take some pressure off the parents to put those loving final touches on their teacher gift so it’s ready to give upon arrival.