It Must Be Time For "Worst Gift Ever Received By A DCfamily" Thread!

[preschoolteacher]

I personally hate the gift-giving obligation that comes with the holiday. We have to travel far to see our extended family, and every year I suggest we keep presents small, or just do something together, like cook a great meal and go to a movie. Every year, they spend tons on us, multiple presents, nearly all unneeded. Some extended family is in tough financial times, yet they're finding stuff for us, and it makes me feel really bad to see whatever the gift was going unused or getting donated. And then we feel like we have to spend just as much! Gift cards are seen as tacky in my family, but I would so much rather give something they'd use!

[WImom]

A Fig Newton???? ::::

I wouldn't have gotten into the best/worst gift thing anyways, even before an unregistered poster posted. But ya know what I wish I could somehow tactfully say to the parents? Instead of buying me anything(which I've always felt guilty about receiving) I would love it if they'd buy the daycare something new. The wear and tear on our toys, games, books, etc. is horrible and to have brand new toys for the daycare would be so cool! But how does one tactfully say that without sounding like you're expecting a gift? Course it's too late for this year anyways but....

I would love this too instead of giving me anything - unless it's a money bonus
I love when parents give card of appreciation. It just makes me happy.

[CedarCreek]

I personally hate the gift-giving obligation that comes with the holiday. We have to travel far to see our extended family, and every year I suggest we keep presents small, or just do something together, like cook a great meal and go to a movie. Every year, they spend tons on us, multiple presents, nearly all unneeded. Some extended family is in tough financial times, yet they're finding stuff for us, and it makes me feel really bad to see whatever the gift was going unused or getting donated. And then we feel like we have to spend just as much! Gift cards are seen as tacky in my family, but I would so much rather give something they'd use!

It's because of all that stuff that my family are now drawing names and putting a limit on gifts! The kids draw for each other.

It's much more fun!

[Annalee]

It's because of all that stuff that my family are now drawing names and putting a limit on gifts! The kids draw for each other.

It's much more fun!

My extended fam is so large, we now have each parent bring their own child a $10 gift. The drawing names didn't work because someone seemed to always not show up or you got someone you weren't around much and knew little bout what they liked...by bringing our own children gifts, no one is left out and all get something they need/want....works great!

[Signed out for privacy]

If I am going to be judged by provders about the gift I give, I wont bother getting anything at all.
I always figured it was the thought that counts.
This thread makes providers seem very materialistic.
I follow my daycare ladys rules and policies and am respectful of her and home. I always pay on time too. She always says that is more than enough and shows my appreciation of all she does.

I actually agree. This post seems rather mean spirited and in all honestly, kinda shallow. At least they thought to get you something! As for the dollar store gifts- maybe after buying gifts for their family and friends, that was all they could afford. Would you rather they buy you an expensive gift or pay their daycare bill? I'm sort of suppressed the moderators have let this stay up, let alone post it as one of this weeks 'Hot Topics'.

[hgonzalez]

I think we have to find the humor in our jobs here, or we will go crazy. I am sure DCP's make fun of us too at times.

I had a parent buy me a package of snacks that their child liked, as a gift to me?

Also, a re-gifted gift with the old tag still on it.

I guess it is the thought that counts. It always bothers me when I go out of my way to do something for the parents, and I get no acknowledgement whatsoever. For the last 4 years, I have made a DVD of the kids singing Xmas songs as well as doing Holiday crafts and sent it home as a gift from the kids with a homemade ornament attached. Last year, I only heard a 'thank you' or even a comment from one family. Pretty rude, as it took me hours of my free time to put it together.

[Great Beginnings]

Best Gift I ever got was actually not a Christmas gift. It was a wedding gift. This family had just started with me a month before my wedding so they were not invited as things were already paid and settled and it seemed awkward since I didn't really know them. I took two weeks off for my Honeymoon and the last day of work the parents gave me an envelop with a Wedding card and money equal to the 2 weeks pay. She said I deserved a paid vacation for all I do.

For Christmas though I always receive wonderful gifts. One mom and I share a love for wine and go on wine tours together. Every year she gives me a bottle of my favorite wine, wine glasses and gift cards to dinner.

I don't really have a worst gift because my parents either give wonderful gifts or I don't get anything at all. I do agree that I don't care for the homemade children's items because I already feel obligated enough to hang my childrens things and there is only so much room for that kind of thing !

[Meeko]

"It's the thought that counts" has been brought up several times.

EXACTLY.

I have been at this job for many, many years now. I have received extravagant gifts and no gifts and everything in between.

But in a drawer in my bedroom are the things I treasure most. Notes/cards/letters that were written from the heart from appreciative daycare parents.

Some came with expensive gifts attached and some came on their own. I don't care a hoot about what they came with. The gifts are mostly all gone/spent/eaten/broken/replaced etc.

But I keep the cards and notes. Because they actually MEAN something to me.

[TwinKristi]

This thread is so silly now... Sheesh! People are so uptight today!! Calm down and take it for what it is!!

Best: $100 cash

Worst: not even a "Merry Christmas" or "thank you"... I had 3 families last year (first year opened) and only 1 got me a gift or said anything other than bye!

I'm not one to complain but I really don't think some of the parents get it sometimes. While I didn't always buy my DCP a fancy gift, I always got her something with a little thought! I didn't have much money and gift cards didn't exist then. I don't even remember really but I know I did and often got her kids something small as well.

[crazydaycarelady]

As for the dollar store gifts- maybe after buying gifts for their family and friends, that was all they could afford. Would you rather they buy you an expensive gift or pay their daycare bill?

The dollar store gift I got was on the heels of me watching their 2yo for 10 days 24/7 while they went on a cruise. Also, after I committed, my hubby ended up having to go to New Orleans with his guard unit after the hurricane AND our closing on our house happened so I had to move my family and house and the dc alone. But I still kept my commitment to watch her. The $1 gift felt like a slap in the face after that. A card with a thank you would have been better.

This thread was supposed to be for fun - a little job humor - but some people are too deep to get into it I guess.

[TwinKristi]

The dollar store gift I got was on the heels of me watching their 2yo for 10 days 24/7 while they went on a cruise. Also, after I committed, my hubby ended up having to go to New Orleans with his guard unit after the hurricane AND our closing on our house happened so I had to move my family and house and the dc alone. But I still kept my commitment to watch her. The $1 gift felt like a slap in the face after that. A card with a thank you would have been better.

This thread was supposed to be for fun - a little job humor - but some people are too deep to get into it I guess.

No kidding huh? It's like no matter what you say someone will find a way to spoil it!

[preschoolteacher]

I personally wasn't bothered at all by this thread. I don't think any of the providers are being mean-spirited with their comments about bad gifts. I didn't hear anyone say they wanted something expensive... just that it was insulting to be given something without thought. I have to agree that some of the gifts listed here didn't seem to have much thought put into them.

We do the most important job but daycare providers are almost always grossly underpaid and undervalued in our society. So on Christmas, which is the one time of the year we are meant to express our gratitude and appreciation to the important people in our lives, daycare providers end up getting a "eh, whatever I had laying around gift," certainly seems insulting. I personally would love a thank you note over a gift like that. Like most others here, I also don't expect to get anything expensive at all.

Also, the other posts on this board show how much thought providers are putting into making Christmas fun for the kids. The talk about cool Christmas projects and activities started immediately after November. I think part of the reason the "bad presents" are so hurtful is because they are so out-of-proportion to the amount of thought and consideration many providers put into making the holiday special for the kids.

I thought it was entertaining to read. Some days in this job, posts like this are exactly what I need.

[spud912]

I don't care if someone got me something or not. Some people just do not think along the same lines as I do. It drives my dh batty that I pour so much into thinking of others when many never "return" any favors to me. To me, what makes me feel good is that those people know I was thinking of them.

Best gift:
Any gift, no matter how small or insignificant. Even if it took no thought to put together and came from the contents between couch cushions, it shows that the person at least had me in their thoughts. Oh, and I LOVE the sentimental gifts, including handmade ornaments. I love my mom's Christmas tree because it's filled with handmade ornaments!

Worst gift:
A lack of respect for me at any point. The little things matter to me. For example, a dc parent who pays late, bounces a check or picks up their child late.

[MotherNature]

I knew an unregistered poster was going to chime in with something like this.

Have you ever gotten a terrible gift for anyone ever? Did the thought count to you? Of course it did. No one said the thought didn't count, the thread is just making light of some bad gifts.

Would you like an example of a bad gift I have gotten from my Dh? He gave me Mickey Mouse fleece pjs last year. Because I don't like them I must be such a selfish and materialistic wife, right?

Please. I'm not in the mood for nonsense today.

[originalkat]

Really? In my opinion, a $1, tacky gift shows exactly the thought that went into it. It says "I HAVE to get you something, but I don't WANT to, because I don't think you are worth it". It really DOES hurt to have someone give you a gift like that. It doesn't bother me a bit to get NO gift, but getting a gift that says "this is an obligation, not a heartfelt *I appreciate you*" just plain ****s.

My own provider, when I used one, received a week's pay (and I couldn't afford it, but knew she DESERVED it-I consider that just to be a part of hiring her to give her a bonus, the same way I do for my hair stylist).

Perfect! Couldn't have said it better myself!