School Lunch Hero Day Gift Ideas 2023

This article will give you lots of School Lunch Hero Day gift ideas for the May 5, 2023 event!

For other no- or low-cost ways to recognize these awesome staff, check out the article Schoo Lunch Hero Day 2023: Ideas for Celebrating.

See below for ideas categorized by budget, or jump ahead to my roundup of product recommendations!

School Lunch Hero Day Gift Ideas by Budget

There are School Lunch Hero Day gift ideas on this list for everyone, no matter what your budget is!

Budget: $1 or less per person

If you’re on a tight budget or have a lot of school lunch heroes to shop for, there are ways to treat the staff for under $1 each.

• Card: write each person a heartfelt thank you!
• Candy: Whether it’s a regular-sized bar, movie theater box, or a handful of fun-sized candy, you can keep typically stay within budget with candy.
• Donuts, grocery store baked goods, or homemade treats: These goodies tend to cost under $1 each.
• Gum: especially if you can find the Extra brand, you can attach a note that says, “Thanks for going the Extra mile!”
• Pens: Ones customized with the school name, district name, or an appreciation message work well. If your cafeteria uses computer POSs, try to find ones with a stylus tip. See my recommendations below!
• Bath Bomb: buy a pack of bath bombs, and if they’re not already pre-wrapped, wrap each in tissue paper with ribbon.

Budget: $1-$5 per person

• Bakery Goods: Cupcakes, cookies, or danishes from a bakery are a little more pricy than making them homemade or getting them from the bakery section of the grocery store, but they give more “wow”. Crumbl cookies are a well-liked option for sweets-loving staff!
• Soap, Lotion, or Hand Sanitizer: Bath & Body Works runs good deals and is a favorite brand for gift-giving.
• Nail Polish: for ladies about to go out on summer break, nail polish makes a great treat since they can’t wear it in the kitchen!
• Lottery Scratch-Offs: These are a fun gift for an opportunity to win big. Maybe just attach a few pieces of candy as a consolation prize in case they don’t win anything.
• Classic Food Combos: some perfect examples – a bag of popcorn + box of candy, hot cocoa packet + treat bag of marshmallows, grahams + marshmallow + chocolate bar, cake mix + frosting, chips + can of soda. Package together in a treat bag or gift bag with a note of appreciation.
• Socks: you can go comfy, fuzzy socks for the sentimental crew or crazy, funny socks for the wild ones!
• Snack Break: provide a basket of assorted snacks for the cafeteria staff to enjoy.

Budget: $5-$10 per person

• Flowers or Plant: flowers that can be planted in their garden, a potted houseplant, a tomato or basil plant, or even a bouquet of flowers are all great options.
• Box of Chocolates: a box of chocolates is a classic thank-you gift!
• Oven Mitt: a nice oven mitt they can use at home or at work makes a good gift. You can even fill it with candy or other gifts, if it’s in your budget.
• Candle: candles make a nice gift, and you can often find good ones at TJ Maxx or Ross at a good price.
• Goodie Bags: Fill a goodie bag with a few of the ideas from the $1 or less and $1-5 categories to create a custom gift.

Budget $10-$20 per person

• Coffee Mug/Tumbler: funny or heartfelt, a coffee mug makes a great gift – fill will candies, hot cocoa/tea packet, or a bag of coffee for an extra special touch.
• Water Bottle: a nice water bottle always makes a good gift, whether lunch lady-related or not!
• T-shirts: t-shirts are LOVED by cafeteria staff, and there are so many good options out there! Check out my picks below, or get with a local print shop to help design something unique.
• Apron: aprons are also a great option, and there are a few lunch lady options out there
• Lunch: Buy lunch for the staff from their favorite local spot!
• Gift Card: everyone loves a gift card, so you know they will get what they want. However, beware that if purchased with school funds, it is likely viewed as taxable income, so clear it with payroll first.

Group Gift Ideas

You could also do one gift for the entire staff, if it’s something they would keep in the kitchen.

• Coffeemaker: if the staff are in need of an upgrade to their morning pick-me-up, a new coffeemaker or Keurig would be a lovely gift.
• Portable Speaker: staff still relying on an old boom box? They might appreciate a portable speaker that they can link to a phone for music instead!
• Charging Station: a place to store everyone’s phones, a charging station is a great gift for a kitchen.
• Aloe Plant: If they have access to a window, any nice houseplant would make a good gift, but since aloe can be used to treat burns, it makes for a practical gift too!