An Apple for the Teacher? We Have a Better Fall Tradition

Happy World Teachers’ Day from Blue Cottage Porch—and thank you to the teachers who make their classrooms feel like home every day.

For generations, the apple has been practically part of the teacher uniform. Books, pencils, chalkboards—and a shiny red apple sitting on the desk. But with fall in full swing and pumpkins everywhere, we think it may be time to give the apple a little seasonal competition.

In honor of World Teachers’ Day, we’re making the case for a new fall tradition: give the teacher a pumpkin. #PumpkinsForTeachers

Why Apples in the First Place?

The connection between apples and teachers goes back much further than the countless “#1 Teacher” decorations we see today. In parts of Europe and the United States, families sometimes provided teachers with food or other necessities, particularly in communities where teachers received modest wages. Apples were plentiful, inexpensive, and easy to share, making them a natural gift.

Over time, the practical gesture became a symbol of appreciation. Today, giving an actual apple to a teacher might seem a little old-fashioned—but the idea behind it is still a good one: a simple seasonal gift that says thank you.

And that's where pumpkins come in.

Move Over, Apples

October is prime pumpkin season, and a beautiful pumpkin makes a surprisingly great teacher gift. It doesn't require another spot on the classroom wall, it doesn't say “Best Teacher Ever” in glitter, and—perhaps most importantly—it isn't another coffee mug.

A small specialty pumpkin can sit on a teacher's desk or front porch. A collection of colorful pumpkins makes an easy fall display at home. And for a teacher who's especially important to your family, several parents could even go together and surprise them with an entire decorated porch.

After all, teachers spend an extraordinary amount of time making their classrooms welcoming for everyone else's children. There's something especially nice about returning the favor at their own home.

It Doesn't Have to Be a Whole Porch

Here's the important part: we don't care where you get the pumpkin. We just want you to give the teacher a pumpkin.

Grab a cute little pumpkin at H-E-B on your way to school. Pick out a weird, warty one that makes you laugh. Find a beautiful specialty pumpkin at a local farm stand. Put a bow on it, add a note from your child, and call it a day. The point isn't how much you spend—it's starting a fun new fall tradition that says, “We appreciate you.”

And if several families want to go big? Well, that's where we can help. Blue Cottage Porch can turn that simple pumpkin idea into a full fall surprise, from a collection of House Pumpkins all the way up to a spectacular Cinderella porch installation, complete with the works.

One pumpkin or an entire porch overflowing with them—we're good either way.

This year, skip the apple. Give the teacher a pumpkin.

Teachers Have Enough Mugs

We're not anti-mug. We're just fairly confident teachers have the mug situation covered.

So this fall, consider something a little different. Give them something beautiful for their home, something seasonal to enjoy, and—best of all—something they don't have to find permanent storage for when the season is over.

The apple has had a very good run.

This October, give the teacher a pumpkin.