Christmas Presents from Parents

[Springdaze]

i think a weeks pay is alot to expect. I certainly would not be able to afford it! good for you and them if they can! if they can afford it, maybe charge them more normally!

[momofboys]

I have gotten small gifts but never a week's pay, wishful thinking. Even when I worked as a nanny they only gave me $75 gift card. Not complaining but I doubt my current family will give me anything.

[spud912]

Do providers usually just get small presents as the previous posters have mentioned? Do any of you get bonuses from you parents? If so, percentage-wise, how does it compare to your weekly rate?

I'm asking as a parent. I have read that nannies typically get a bonus equal to one week's pay. I feel my provider is somewhere between a nanny and a home daycare because she only cares for my daughter part-time and an infant part-time so it's not like she has 6-8 familes that each give her a $10-$20 gift. She's fantastic, regularly goes above-and-beyond and treats my daughter like a member of the family.

I was planning to give her a $50-$100 gift card to Target along with a Christmas/thank you card (amount depends on if/when/how much my Christmas bonus is this year). If it affects your opinion, we pay her $120/3-day week.

I also purchased a personalized blanket for each of her sons from the Disney Store, with a matching hardcover book and a matching stuffed animal, which is going to be "from my daughter."

Would that be appropriate? Any suggestions?

That is amazing, especially since you thought to include her children!

[pandamom]

I work at a center so I know I'm not getting a weeks pay . I'm a floater and some parents have given me some yummy homemade goodies.

For my sons' rooms, I gave the teachers a group gift. I gave them a bottle of Olay Dawn dish soap and yummy smelling foaming hand soap since our center doesn't provide dish soap and I know teachers tend to buy their own hand soap for their room. I also gave a $30 gift card for them to use towards teacher or classroom supplies since I know the head teachers always spend money out of pocket on certain supplies.

[Hazel]

I've never gotten a weeks pay but the gifts I've recieved have varied WIDELY over the years. $50 visa gift card, $50 to nice restaurant, $25 to WaWa (local convenience store for coffee ect), $10 for dunkin donuts, small gift baskets from bath shops.. The list goes on.. Last year a family gave me a gift basket with a candle, hand soap, body wash, lotion and spray (all the same scent which I loved!) and a $25 gift card to bed bath and beyond. Then I've gotten the really cheap stuff that was NOT my taste and TOTALLLLY was a regift... Like the African safari style frame with a 3D giraffe inside... Or the dollar store picture frames..
I say, a gift card for a neutral place (like target, local popular restaurant, movie theater)For as much as you think is reasonable ($25 min if possible) AND a small gift like a Yankee candle or some really nice chocolates that you know they like but don't buy for themselves.

[Sunshine74]

I work at a center so I know I'm not getting a weeks pay . I'm a floater and some parents have given me some yummy homemade goodies.

For my sons' rooms, I gave the teachers a group gift. I gave them a bottle of Olay Dawn dish soap and yummy smelling foaming hand soap since our center doesn't provide dish soap and I know teachers tend to buy their own hand soap for their room. I also gave a $30 gift card for them to use towards teacher or classroom supplies since I know the head teachers always spend money out of pocket on certain supplies.

This is so awesome and helpful. I spend a lot of money on classroom supplies, it drives my husband crazy. Sometimes I get reimbursed, but sometimes I don't (the pitfalls of working for your family).

[Meeko]

I've had the whole range.

Last year, one Mom gave me a weeks pay as a bonus AND a gorgeous cookbook I had been wanting AND a heartfelt card with a hand-written note of appreciation. She also does little thoughtful things all year.

Others didn't even say "Merry Christmas"

[Blissful Kids]

I had to tell everyone about what one of my daycare moms is doing for me for Christmas. Every day until I close next Friday (I'm taking the week of Christmas off since we're leaving town) she is bringing me a small gift. Today it was mint chocolate covered marshmallows from Trader Joes. I thought this was such a cute idea! Has anyone else gotten some fun presents from daycare parents? I found lots of ideas on Pinterest for my son's teachers. =)

Today it was a Starbucks drink with home made coffee sleeve and a Starbucks gift card. =)

I do think one week's pay is a lot, but if some parents can afford it then that is a great gift!

[Willow]

Sounds silly but the most thoughtful gift I've ever gotten was a whopping $100 gas card and a bunch of small snacks for my kids.

When I was dating my (now) husband who lived a good hour and a half drive from my home all of my parents knew that upon close on Friday we were off for the weekend.

The idea that they supported me and my blossoming relationship despite the fact that it might take me away from being able to care for their child someday meant the world to me. It showed me they cared about me as a person, and my happiness


Aside from that I've gotten everything from gift cards to my favorite restaurants, BBQ sauce (), scarves, lotions and candles, wine and the like.

This year I had two of my families ask me for some ideas for things I'd like to have for my daycare. I thought supporting my business in that way was an awesome idea!

[itlw8]

gifts and bonuses vary widely.. one family always gives 100 and wants it spent on me not the kids. another bakes cookies each year. some do nothing. this bunch tends to give 10 to 25 gift card. I love them all.

[Evansmom]

I have gotten flowers and small gifts over the years that are very nice. I always like to be remembered. I'd like to be remembered with cash but...

Last year I got handed an envelope and I was thinking "aw yeah!" but then I opened it and it was a photo card of the family. Ha ha!!

This year I wrote thank you cards to all my families for trusting me with their kids and also am extending a complimentary date night one night next month where we will stay open late and feed the kids and have a movie so they can go out to dinner or something.

[littlemissmuffet]

I've gotten all kinds of awesome (and not so awesome, ) gifts over the years - but this year is my favorite... I am closed the 24th through to the 26th, but I won't have any kids the 27th, 28th and possibly the 31st! SIX DAYS OFF WITH PAY, and I didn't even have to use any vacation time

[jessrlee]

I got a big bag of goodies today . I'm so excited! She brought me lunch, cookies, a cookbook, rice and veggie steamers, tissues, and some really nice Usborn books

For the kids this year I bought everyone a pair of pajamas, and made the parents gingerbread hand prints.

[Michelle]

This year is so different than last year.
I have been getting presents all week. Starbucks cards, cookies, etc.
The parents I have this year are very caring.
We have all been to each others birthday parties and we are like a big family.
I still have 2 families that give me problems but the rest Rock!!!
lovethislovethislovethis

[Blackcat31]

Over the years I have gotten everything ranging from a family photo card to a really great gift..... that I found out later was stolen.

I don't expect gifts or cards or anything really, following my policies, being respectful and paying me on time (especially during paid time off) is all the appreciation I really need/want.

I know we all like to get gifts but just because it's Christmas doesn't mean I expect something for doing what I am paid to do.

It's nice to hear that I am appreciated for my services but like I said, following my rules/policies is enough appreciation for me.

Sorry, I am not trying to dimish those wonderful families others have that do gift you....it is super sweet of them to think of you.