Need Daycare Provider Christmas Gift Ideas...

[Schachteles]

Ok, let me give a little background first...we moved to our house about 3 years ago and finding a good daycare person has been a HUGE struggle!! We have had like 5 in our time. The first one told me she didn't get paid to potty train. The second one we think was being roughed up by her husband because she would call and need to take days off at a time because she fell down the stairs or something...then one Saturday she called us and said effective immediately she was closed because she fell AGAIN. The third one had her license taken away. The fourth one we LOVED and our kids loved her...but one day she came to us and wanted a $40 a week raise, which would put her out of line totally with other daycares...and plain and simple we couldn't "afford" to give her that much of an increase...I offered her $20 more a week and she said she would think about it and never got back to me. Now we are on number five...we do like her...not as much as number 4 but the girls are happy and that is what matters.

My DH and I have wanted our daycare people to know that we do truly value them...so gave the second daycare lady a $100 GC to GiftCertificates.com and then the fourth one we gave her $100 cash plus some other ornaments and treats.

Now this year I am kinda stuck. We do value this lady very much too. But I feel like our "generous" gifts (I don't feel like $100 is a lot, but my SIL is in daycare and she gets maybe a $20 gift from her families...and the daycare providers are always very greatful and say they have never been given that much) were maybe not that appreciated...am I wrong to think that maybe we need to scale back the gifts, especially since we have only been with this lady since August?? I want her to feel appreciated because she is.

But I was thinking about doing a gift basket...with like a $25 GC to Applebees, a $15 GC to Blockbuster, treats, popcorn, pop...does that sound corney? I feel like maybe it is getting to be too much of a family thing and I should focus more on her. Any thoughts?? Or should I just give her $100 cash.

Any help would be so appreciated. Kim

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My kids went to home day care too. (now they're both school age, 6 &9)
We always gave them about $50 gift cards for something like Outback Steakhouse or movie theater gift cards.
When ds6's babysitter was going thru hard $ times, her dh injured his back and eventually lost his job, we gave her more practical gifts like Target or grocery stores. (Who wants to splurge on dinner out when you're trying like mad just to pay elec. & phone bills, etc.)
Also in 5 years, even after ds began kindergarten, we never ever forgot her b-day. We always paid for holidays and vacations ( I get paid vacation too, right?)
I told them often how much I appreciate them. It shouldn't just be once per year. Good luck!

 

[Schachteles]

My kids went to home day care too. (now they're both school age, 6 &9)
We always gave them about $50 gift cards for something like Outback Steakhouse or movie theater gift cards.
When ds6's babysitter was going thru hard $ times, her dh injured his back and eventually lost his job, we gave her more practical gifts like Target or grocery stores. (Who wants to splurge on dinner out when you're trying like mad just to pay elec. & phone bills, etc.)
Also in 5 years, even after ds began kindergarten, we never ever forgot her b-day. We always paid for holidays and vacations ( I get paid vacation too, right?)
I told them often how much I appreciate them. It shouldn't just be once per year. Good luck!

And we do that too...I have NEVER asked for them to take unpaid days, I pay for all vacation days...doesn't matter if we are gone or her. AND we don't declare it on our taxes, so technically all the money they make is "under the table" in a sense. We do birthday gifts for everyone in the family...have treats for all holidays...and I even ask if they need anything...toys, videos, supplies to just help out.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I am a home daycare provider and let me tell you some parents do not even think of giving us a thank you let alone a present at Christmas. I have gotten gift baskets from a body shop, am ex gift cards, to home party gift certificates, to a picture frame. If money is tight a really nice note letting them know how much you are appreciated. If you are looking to get a gift, something for her is always nice or even a gift certificate to AC moore, or Michael's or somewhere where she would tend to buy her crafts.

I personally like the idea of your basket as that is a "gift" and $100 could just end up being put towards groceries or a bill and almost forgetten, if you know what I mean. And I didn't mean forgotten by her. And for the fact that you have only been with her since August your gift is more than enough.

 

[Schachteles]

I am a home daycare provider and let me tell you some parents do not even think of giving us a thank you let alone a present at Christmas. I have gotten gift baskets from a body shop, am ex gift cards, to home party gift certificates, to a picture frame. If money is tight a really nice note letting them know how much you are appreciated. If you are looking to get a gift, something for her is always nice or even a gift certificate to AC moore, or Michael's or somewhere where she would tend to buy her crafts.

I personally like the idea of your basket as that is a "gift" and $100 could just end up being put towards groceries or a bill and almost forgetten, if you know what I mean. And I didn't mean forgotten by her. And for the fact that you have only been with her since August your gift is more than enough.

Ok I CANNOT even imagine not getting them something!! That is just wrong! I know what you mean about the "forgotten" one...I always think of the song from the movie The Christmas Shoes...because they say how mom usually went without. That is how it is at my house a lot of years, not necessarily because we can't afford it, but because DH doesn't get me anything...makes me sad, but seeing my kids faces light up because of ALL the stuff I got makes up for it and my heart heals quickly But I like the gift basket thing, but I think it is too FAMILY and since I already got her three kids $25 GCs to Build a Bear I am thinking that I should just do the basket and then slip in a $50 or something to get something for HER.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I think your gift(s) sounds reasonable and quite thoughtful. You would be amazed at the number of parents who don't even take a moment to say Thanks, let alone give a gift.

 

[shades]

Ok I CANNOT even imagine not getting them something!! That is just wrong! I know what you mean about the "forgotten" one...I always think of the song from the movie The Christmas Shoes...because they say how mom usually went without. That is how it is at my house a lot of years, not necessarily because we can't afford it, but because DH doesn't get me anything...makes me sad, but seeing my kids faces light up because of ALL the stuff I got makes up for it and my heart heals quickly But I like the gift basket thing, but I think it is too FAMILY and since I already got her three kids $25 GCs to Build a Bear I am thinking that I should just do the basket and then slip in a $50 or something to get something for HER.

Since you are giving Build a Bear gift cards to her kids, I'd just give her cash and let her choose if she wants to spend it on herself or take her kids out for a day at the mall to get their bears and have lunch.

By the way, it's really considerate of you to buy gifts for her kids.

 

[KelNottAt]

I recommend cash. That's what we always gave our nannies or daycares. Oh, and we always gave the "Christmas" gift right after Thanksgiving. We often wondered if it could be more helpful toward their holiday expenses if they got it well in advance.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I had home day care from 1991-2000.
We always gave one weeks salary as a Christmas present.
I did this only after talking to other parents who had day care providers.

It did seem like alot but the women I had were always good.

 

[Schachteles]

I had home day care from 1991-2000.
We always gave one weeks salary as a Christmas present.
I did this only after talking to other parents who had day care providers.

It did seem like alot but the women I had were always good.

You know I have read in places that people do that...but I have NEVER heard of anyone giving that much. For us that would be a $250 Christmas gift...and since she gets paid $13,000 a year from us I really can't afford to be giving that much.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

You know I have read in places that people do that...but I have NEVER heard of anyone giving that much. For us that would be a $250 Christmas gift...and since she gets paid $13,000 a year from us I really can't afford to be giving that much.

I think that's a lot for a Christmas gift but as for day care cost, that's really reasonable for 2 kids, compared to the going rate in NJ. When both ds's were in dc we were paying $270/week and that was back in 2002. So glad they're in school though summer camp is outrageous.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

I have one DD at a church daycare & a 22 mth old at a home daycare. My sister worked in a church daycare for years & had too many mugs/ornaments. Last year I gave the home daycare lady a $50 gift card to a restaurant--we live in a medium size city & this lady is older w/no kids of her own....this year I plan on doing something similar---as she will take off the week after Christmas & we will pay her that week (+we pay vacation week/days off for appts.) At the church daycare, my daughter has morning & afternoon teachers but the morning one is the one who spends the most time w/her. Last year I gave target gift card for $20 & then got the 2 afternoon teachers (college students) movie passes for a local theater! All were thrilled! I guess some of it depends on what you pay/size of city/etc.

 

[pbharris4]

I provide home day care. I've just started last year. I've received small gifts and gift cards for both Xmas and also at the end of the school year. I only watch kids during the school year. Honestly, though, I'd be just as happy with nice Thank you card because they remembered me and took the time to send the card.

 

[KelNottAt]

I had home day care from 1991-2000.
We always gave one weeks salary as a Christmas present.
I did this only after talking to other parents who had day care providers.

It did seem like alot but the women I had were always good.

Yeah. That's what we did, too. One week's pay in cash.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

O.k., we are probably pushing it here...my ds is now 8, and left home daycare at 3 for preschool. Up until this year, we have still been sending the day care provider a Harry and David treat, usually worth $25. This year since I know her 19 yr. old daughter (at home) is pregnant, I decided to skip the basket and just get them a baby gift. They are Jehovah's Witnesses, and don't believe in celebrating holidays. I should also mention that we did have the daughter occasionally babysitting for us until this year, so I felt the need to stay connected.

My ds's afterschool providers will each get a $25 gift card for Target. He is in a school-sponsored program, so he's only there 2-3 hours a day and there are plenty of other kids. The main teacher was also his K-1 teacher, so that year I made it a point to get her separate gifts for her separate roles.

I think $100 sounds high, but you do have two children...I think $50 for her plus the gift card for her kids is very generous!

 

[funnygarcia]

I was an assistant teacher in a preschool/day care for a few years, working part time hours.

I had parents/children give me ornaments (cute but not always my taste).
$50 for Outback (I felt it was too much $$ of a gift, appreciated but felt it was not appropriate).
2 Movie tickets (cool!).
One mom gave us each a bag of candy and bath and body works stuff (LOVED it! I like having things I can use).

The most prized gift was a sweet frame and pic of the girls in one family, they added a note and wrote their names by themselves on the frame. Very sweet!

Another was a bear with a pic of a delightful little boy with a "thank you for taking care of our (insert name)" signed by the family.

The lead teacher had the kids put painted handprints on a tote bag and they wrote their names.. I still use that tote now two years later.

 

[rocky41102]

I babysat for the same family for several years during high school and college. They always put together a gift basket type present which I loved. The kids always made their own card and mom would put one of their pictures on it. She always gave me presents and not gift cards or cash. I really liked it because she always did a great job picking things out that were really nice for me. I didn't have any other family at that time, but even if I did I would have wanted the gifts to be for me and not my kids or anything. I don't think it ever amounted to $100, but she also gave me little things here and there and surprise little bonuses throughout the year.

 

[macfamily]

Wow, now I really feel like a big piece of crap.

Every year at Christmas time I had my daughter pick something out for her daycare provider, and it never went over $25. Really, it was what I could afford, but it really made my eyes bug out to see how much people spend on their daycare. I understand that they're taking care of your kid throughout the day, and Brenda knows VERY well how much I appreciated her; my DD and I tried to make a point of getting craft items or toys we found at clearance and such to contribute; last summer I bought two bike helmets for them to keep there, which was greatly appreciated. I honestly had no idea that so much money was typically spent on daycare providers' Christmas gifts...

I wish I could afford to spend that much; I hope that Brenda doesn't think badly of us for giving what we do...

 

[pbharris4]

It really is the thought that counts. I wouldn't want anyone to give me something if they really couldn't afford it. A homemade card, a coupon book for free things (like helping out, or a hug, or something like that), a homemade pie, etc. You don't have to give $$ to be appreciative.

 

[Miss Kelly]

It really is the thought that counts. I wouldn't want anyone to give me something if they really couldn't afford it. A homemade card, a coupon book for free things (like helping out, or a hug, or something like that), a homemade pie, etc. You don't have to give $$ to be appreciative.

Ditto. Those are the gifts I treasure the most.