Christmas Gifts?

[Ariana]

Do you give the kids or families in your care Christmas gifts? I didn't last year but am thinking I will this year. Just wondering if this is something others do and how much you typically spend.

Thanks

[MommyofThree]

Do you give the kids or families in your care Christmas gifts? I didn't last year but am thinking I will this year. Just wondering if this is something others do and how much you typically spend.

Thanks

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. . So I go all out. I give the parents and the kids gifts.

[brettnmel]

I have done gifts for all the children in the past. In years past I spent between $10 - $15 per child. I host a family xmas party and have the kids do a gift exchange. They would draw names and bring gifts for that child. It is a hit with the parents and the kids.

This year I am unsure what to do as I have many part time children so spending the $10-15 per child will get very expensive. I am thinking of doing a "family" gift as I have 3 families with multiple children. Any suggestions for what a good family friendly gift would be. My kids range from 6 months to 7 years old.

[nannyde]

I don't do gifts but I do receive Xmas bonus

[CheekyChick]

I buy Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, and goody bags for Valentine, Easter, and Halloween. I buy gifts for a few of the moms I'm very close to as well.

[spud912]

I host a family xmas party and have the kids do a gift exchange. They would draw names and bring gifts for that child. It is a hit with the parents and the kids.

That's a great idea I may have to steal! Thanks!!

[wdmmom]

I spend about $10 per child and I usually buy books.

[brettnmel]

steal away!!

I think it's helped with the relationship between caregiver and parents and helped build friendships between the parents of other children.

[Blackcat31]

I do not buy Christmas gift either. I choose one charity and the kids are asked to contribute items from the list and we donate to that charity. Over the years we have collected and donated smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, coats for the local coat drive, donations for the animal shelter, food for the food bank, care packages for the soldiers, school supplies for the needy, gifts for the neighboing nursing home and toys for tots.

Christmas is for giving and I want the children at my child care to learn that lesson before the receiving part comes into play. (That part is for the families and the grandparents.)

[kendallina]

I don't do gifts for Christmas. Right now we're doing a food drive for the local pantry for Thanksgiving and we always make gifts for parents when Christmas gets closer.

[sharlan]

I generally buy a $20 gift card from Toys R Us for both birthday and Christmas presents.

[Pammie]

All of my dc kids receive a hardcover book for Christmas - this year it's "If you Give a Dog a Donut" that I got from Children's Book of the Month Club for $6/each ! I also always give them small gift that ties in to the book - so I'm making them all donut pillows:-)

For the dc parents/families I always do "Christmas Breakfast"- They'll be receiving a donut pan (like a muffin pan, but shaped like donuts) and Muffin Mix in a Jar. In the past, I've given them frozen pans of homemade cinnamon rolls, pancake mix in a jar, frozen coffee cakes, etc.

I have amazingly wonderful families that are extremely generous at Christmas - this is my way to show them how much I appreciate "them"

[Meeko]

I don't do gifts from me.

The kids make gifts for their families. We usually decorate boxes (shoe boxes) and then fill them with homemade goodies, handmade cards, handmade tree ornaments etc.

[small_steps]

I did little treat bags last year. This year I'm thinking of doing pajama's. Walmart puts them for about $4 a pair at their after Thanksgiving (Blitz)sale. I think it would be a hit with the kiddos. Maybe even let them wear them after they open them at our party. For the parents I didn't do anything last year but I offer parent's night outs throughout the year for $25 for an evening of childcare so they can go out. So for this year I'm thinking of making up a cute certificate for a free parent's night out. I would offer a few different dates that I'm available and they have to use it on one of those nights.

[mommiesherie]

I looooove christmas. Already have my tree up! This year I am not at teacher in a class and am at home with just 4 kiddos. So I will buy them all a decent gift. Parents we will make gifts for prolly. I may buy something for them depends on how broke I am by then . In the past I did buy small gifts for the kids in my care. If there were a lot of them I couldn't spend a lot but you would be surprised at how a couple dollar tree gifts excite the kids.