Do You Give Gifts To DCK's For Holidays?

[littlemommy]

I'm planning on baking different types of cookies, brownies and such this month and giving each family a plate. I LOVE baking, especially in winter.

[kendallina]

I don't give presents to the kiddos for Christmas. They do receive a book for their birthday, though. We focus on giving for Christmas. This year, we did a food drive and we're making glitter ornaments for the family who's hosting our Christmas party. They also make a gift (snowglobe this year) for their parents that they give to them on our Christmas party.

[GretasLittleFriends]

For their birthdays and Christmas each year the child gets a small gift. Something under $10. I have tried to do theme things, like a book and a corresponding stuffed animal/doll. I've also done book and puzzle. This last year they each got a toy for their birthdays.

For Christmas the kids...
* 8mo - 2yrs are each getting an age appropriate toy and some Gerber treats.
* 2-7 and older are getting a coloring book, homemade crayons (blending colors and melting in the oven), a Christmas pencil, and maybe some cookies.
*8yr old girl I have is getting a craft book and some small craft supplies that compliment the book (haven't looked at the book yet...), a pencil, and if I bake them, cookies.

I am also going to use the applesauce/cinnamon ornament recipe and trace the kids' hands for ornaments. Then with a toothpick write each child's name age and year in it. The kids will also decorate some white paper (I have a HUGE roll) and that will be the wrapping paper for their ornaments for their parents.

[karen]

Yes I give gifts on special occasions
I spend up to 10 per child for christmas and B-Days
I also do small Easter baskets and halloween treat bags.
We have a party for the holidays as well.
The parties always include fun games a craft and some kind of dinner. I always keep the children an hour longer on those days so they have time for everything.

[mema]

I got all my dck's done just before school started! They are all getting a pencil box, crayons, markers (big pack of like 25), watercolors, a smelly pencil (bubblegum, rootbeer, grape, blueberry..mmmmmm), and a notebook! $20 for 4 kids

[DCMom]

I do, but I have definitely downsized. I agree with Silver, it should be for the kids and not the parents.

This year I got fleece hats and matching gloves on the Land's End website. The Black Friday sale was unbelievable...$5 for each hat and pair of gloves with 40% off the entire order plus free shipping. 14 kids for under $100. Then I used my bonus points from Scholastic to get them each a copy of Jan Brett's 'The Hat' (little siblings are getting 'The Mitten').

The parents are getting framed footprint of their child made to look like a snowman (with fleece hats and mittens, of course!) Do you sense a theme here?

[Crystal]

I'm torn on this, this year. Typically, I do. BUT, call me a grinch, I have REALLY outgrown Christmas altogether. I won't be doing a tree or decorations, and I won't be making "crafty" type gifts for the parents. I have grown weary of the commercialization of the holiday, and frankly, not one person I know celebrates the holiday based on the "true" meaning of it....and even though personally do not believe in the "real" meaning of the holiday, I think if you're going to celebrate it, you should do it for the reasons intended originally.

I will not even be seeing my own extended family or giving gifts to them.....my own children and hubby and I are doing our annual trip to Carmel on the coast and I will give them each one nice gift, but the rest of the family will not even be getting a card.....so, I have a hard time giving gifts to others, if I am not even doing it for my own family.

[PitterPatter]

Yes I buy for the children every year. We have stockings with thier names painted on them that hang next to my family's. I usually save money and go after Christmas to buy the stockings and hats or antlers etc for each child. I wait until December to buy the main gift. A few months before Christmas I start buying stocking stuffers. Each child gets a wrapped gift of their liking and a stocking full of little things. I make sure the stockings all get the same. If a child doesn't have much I also buy an outfit which is what I am encountering again this yr. We have a little party a couple days before Christmas. I have all the gifts sitting out ready for them. They can peek but have to wait and play with them at home to avoid issues. If I give a family clothing I don't let it be known to the other children I just stuff it in a bag and give it to DCM at pick up.

I can afford to do this because I usually only have a few children at a time. If I had 8 or 10 like some people I would then probably only do a small gift or a simple stocking. I always give because I have seen children who get nothing and it breaks my heart.

[PitterPatter]

I generally give each of the daycare kids a $20 gift card to Toys R Us. I do the same for their birthdays.

Just some friendly advise. Make sure you trust the parents becuse I know a lady that did the same and she found out months later the DCM sold the gift cards for a discount to get cash. Very sad!

[Cat Herder]

I am giving gifts to the kids from my own family, but skipping all parent involvement this year.

After much reflection of the last year with my current clients, I feel this is the best compromise for me.

OK, all but one Uber Charming, Thoughtful and Helpful DCM who will get something personal from just me... Shhh! I think this one will be added to my lifelong friends list one day. I have to admit, I am afraid to jinx it since it has become so rare to find.... Year two and holding....happyface

[PitterPatter]

[QUOTE=emmajo;170621]Some years I do, some years I don't. Depends on the kids, their interests, my mood I guess! One year I made each little girl a special notebook/journal - they were all into that sort of thing.
One year I bought more toys than usual for the day care and let the kids open them, and kept them here.

I suppose I've not given them gifts more often than I've given - I know they all receive so much at home, (whether parents can really afford it or not) and what I can afford to give pales in comparison. So if I don't think of something I can make, I don't do anything that year.

This year, ( if I can get it done before Thursday!!)I am making and giving an Advent/countdown calendar to the sisters in a family I've had for over 8 years now. They go to my church so I know their values are similar to mine and it will be ok to include aspects of the real meaning of Christmas. For the other, younger, kids, it will be more like crafts/ornaments they'll make and take home, no special gifts.

I'm actually sort of surprised to read about some providers giving the kids really elaborate gifts. That seems sort of like giving back the money the parents just paid for our services - kind of the opposite of all the "backbone" posts?[/QUOTE]



I do a lot for the kids but I wouldnt say its elaborate really. It's for the kids not the parents. All the parents get from me is a little photo album of the years pictures. I spent about $25 per kid this yr. That's no were near what I earned. I keep my still growing backbone with the parents yet still give the kids a good Christmas here. Theres not really a connection.