Thank You Gift Ideas for the Essential Workers in Your Life

For a favorite teacher, mail carrier, local grocer, doctor, and nurse who checks in on your aging mother, 2020 has been quite a year. The holidays may not feel as joyous for many essential workers as in the past due to the overwhelming stress and demands of their jobs. That's why it's more important that ever to show gratitude this season.

Here are some creative gift ideas to recognize and bring a smile to the faces of the essential workers in your life.

Delicious Ways to Say Thanks

The way to any essential worker's heart is through their stomach — especially if you send along a Chocolate “Grateful for You" Pizza made from the Swiss-style chocolate and homemade English toffee.

You can also get deliciously creative by gifting an Eat Your Words Custom Cookie. Your child's favorite teacher, for one, will appreciate the baked and decorated letters joined together to spell out “Grateful For You." 

Can't decide between sweet treats? Opt for a Sugar Plum Comfort Gift Box, which offers a sampling of milk chocolate pretzel bars, milk chocolate-covered sandwich cookies and milk and dark chocolate-covered popcorn.

Or if you prefer to make something yourself — and get the kids to help — head to Arm & Hammer's 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for some ideas. For every baking soda gift baked or created and posted to social with #SayItWithBakingSoda, the brand will donate $1 to the children's charity One Simple Wish. As an added treat, gift your handmade delicacy on the Made For You Thank You Dessert Plate, a keepsake the recipient can cherish or pass along to share the love and gratitude.

Make a Lifesaver's Day

Everyone can agree that yes, Superheroes Wear Scrubs, which is why a personalized sweatshirt is an ideal option for the medical marvel who's always there to help keep your family well. The unisex hoodie is available in black and white, and features an area to personalize by workplace.

For a gift that keeps your appreciation close to someone's heart, a Nurse Necklace is an ideal choice. Each necklace comes in a gold foil-stamped jewelry box with a touching message describing the amazing and selfless qualities of these everyday angels.

And, you can't go wrong with a customized mask — these will always come in handy for healthcare workers. Lucky us, there are a variety of options to choose from —stethoscope-adorned, “nicer" nurse ones, even comic book-inspired “super" masks.

Let Thoughtfulness Abound

Gifting someone with a thoughtful, useful gift is always appreciated. A bathtub wine glass holder your grocery clerk can enjoy after a long day, or moisturizing gel socks your mail carrier can use to soothe their feet are both fun, practical choices.

You can also give a gift that pulls double-duty as an energy booster. Unique caffeinated choices: Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Coffee in a collectible tin; organic cocoa tea, grown on a plantation of heirloom cacao trees in South America; even a Grow Your Own Coffee Plant Kit, which consists of everything your recipient will need to grow two Arabica coffee plants. And to keep the giving going, every coffee pack ordered from Steeped Coffee is matched and delivered directly to frontline healthcare workers across California as part of the company's "You Give, We Give" initiative.

Even a simple card can go a long way in lending a super sentiment. Download a coloring page for your kids to decorate; they can choose to thank a healthcare, sanitation, utility and grocery store worker, as well as a police officer or firefighter. Or send along a “To a Phenomenal Woman" greeting card, which features a wearable pin to remind her how essential she is in all aspects of life. You can also request a free three-pack of gratitude cards from Hallmark (while supplies last).

While the holidays may look and feel different after a long and challenging year, showing appreciation can harvest much happiness for both the giver and receiver. Happy Holidays!