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

[Shell]

I student taught at a daycare center for families who were "at-risk." One Christmas, a student brought three pre-packaged, cellophane wrapped baskets filled with treats. One for each of the lead teachers and myself. After we opened them, he said: "Do you like the gifts my mom got you? She shoplifted them from WalMart." Yeah...I'll never forget that gift!!!!

I guess it was nice she thought of you???

[sharlan]

I can honestly say that I never received a truly "bad" gift. Some I appreciated more than others, but I considered the thought.

A father confessed to me last year that he really didn't have an idea of what to get me. He ended up buying me a throw blanket. Ok, I have quite a few, but that's ok. His daughter uses it every day for nap time.

I am thankful and appreciative of gifts, I am never offended about no gift.

I enjoy pics of the kids. I have some around my house. I have one wall that is dedicated to one brother and sister. Years ago I had a large collage frame that I would switch out pics of the daycare kids as they grew.

[melilley]

I student taught at a daycare center for families who were "at-risk." One Christmas, a student brought three pre-packaged, cellophane wrapped baskets filled with treats. One for each of the lead teachers and myself. After we opened them, he said: "Do you like the gifts my mom got you? She shoplifted them from WalMart." Yeah...I'll never forget that gift!!!!

:: That would be hard to forget!

[Crazy8]

I'm shocked that this thread has become controversial in any way. I wish all the drama were deleted out of it. It's a perfectly silly, lighthearted break the ice game. Geesh. It's meant to be funny, and it is- some of these bad gifts have been ridiculous.

This is why I rarely even visit here anymore. God forbid you aren't all sunshine and rainbows all the time about your job as a daycare provider all the time - you are suddenly a horrible, materialistic provider. And "off topic"??? hello, this is a topic on daycare families - just like "what craft are you doing with dck's?", "what should I give my dcf's for xmas?", "omg, can't believe what this dcm did today"etc. Are those all off topic??

[cheerfuldom]

I would say the time that someone gave dd a present. It was a cup, plate and bowl hello kitty set that had clearly been opened and the cup was missing out of it.

see that is the kind of gift that is annoying to me. People are saying "its the thought that counts" but what exactly is a person supposed to think when you opened a package, took out what you/your kid wanted, and then gave the leftover to your daycare provider? It doesn't seem like there was much thought or appreciation or respect put into that gift......

[sharlan]

This is why I rarely even visit here anymore. God forbid you aren't all sunshine and rainbows all the time about your job as a daycare provider all the time - you are suddenly a horrible, materialistic provider. And "off topic"??? hello, this is a topic on daycare families - just like "what craft are you doing with dck's?", "what should I give my dcf's for xmas?", "omg, can't believe what this dcm did today"etc. Are those all off topic??

I don't really find this to be true.

[dingledine]

When I opened my daycare a bit over a year ago, I didn't realize that people gave gifts. I know a friend of mine gives an extra week, to her provider. I was surprised. I didn't realize this. I sure never gave my provider anything... not that I could have afforded it.

Last year I got no gifts, and I might, or might not this year for Christmas. On the other hand, one mom has brought me a starbucks drink twice, and two times she gave me a gift card, for various reasons. Another parent once gave me a big box of chocolate from their country of Finland, and one other one, got me a plant. Not for Christmas, none of these... just because. I always think it is super sweet.

[JoseyJo]

For some reason I get lots of framed pictures of DC kids and/or their family. I have children of my own that I don't have nearly enough pictures of on the wall. I don't have a picture of the last any where in the house!!
I have TONS of pictures of DC kids from pictures I take on my own and I love there kids, but I wonder if they really expect me to hang these pictures. The frames are nice. I am going to be using them, sometime in the future.

::::

I also had a family who gave us 2-3 poses of their child at least 3 times a year. Not framed though

[JoseyJo]

When I opened my daycare a bit over a year ago, I didn't realize that people gave gifts. I know a friend of mine gives an extra week, to her provider. I was surprised. I didn't realize this. I sure never gave my provider anything... not that I could have afforded it.

Last year I got no gifts, and I might, or might not this year for Christmas. On the other hand, one mom has brought me a starbucks drink twice, and two times she gave me a gift card, for various reasons. Another parent once gave me a big box of chocolate from their country of Finland, and one other one, got me a plant. Not for Christmas, none of these... just because. I always think it is super sweet.

I also never gave my provider a present/bonus at xmas!

When we first started 5 years ago we didn't get any present at xmas. The 2nd year we got a gift card from one family, next year 2 families gave a bonus or present, 3rd year 4 families, and last year all but 1 family gave us a gift card or bonus I am always surprised and I wouldn't feel bad if we didn't get one.

I do think I would be at a dollar store present though (unless it was from the child)- rather not have anything than a pity present

[Sunchimes]

The funny things from family reminded me of one. My uncle married a woman that didn't like his family (50 years ago). One Christmas she gave me a huge plastic bowl. Huge, like 18" in diameter, no lid. I was in high school, what was I going to do with a plastic bowl? :: Almost 50 years later, we still joke about giving someone a plastic bowl for Christmas.

[Unregistered]

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.

Some of these "worst" gift ideas are given with no thought at all. Going to a dollar store to grab me, the person who keeps our kids safe, a cheap gift last minute is NOT putting any thought or care or time into it. Sorry. I'd rather get NOTHING than a last minute cheap gift that really means nothing anyway. I'd GLADLY accept Christmas cards or a Thank You in place of a cheap, thoughtless gift.

[Unregistered]

You're right there, and honestly, those "junk" presents are still worth it when the child has the joy of giving it to you and seeing you exclaim over it.

If the child is giving it, it always has meaning. It's when the parents declare it's from them and don't care enough to write a card out, but they'll grab a $1 store "crunch n munch" If the KID did that, it's endearing...when an adult does that it's plain thoughtless

[e.j.]

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've often told my dc parents the same thing. Respect me, my home and my policies, pay on time and I'm happy! That said, some of the best gifts I've received include Christmas cards with pictures of my dc kids, notes expressing appreciation, a week's worth of bonus pay, handmade baskets and a handmade cabinet from a dcd who was a very skilled caprenter, gift cards to local dept. stores and restaurants.

I don't feel comfortable mentioning the worst gifts I've received but none compare to the fig newton and the stolen gifts from Walmart! Kind of sad and totally hysterical at the same time.:: (Hopefully, the fig newton was something a small child thought would make a great present and the parent didn't have the heart to discourage him???)

I do have to say that it's nice to know my husband isn't the only husband who is "gift challenged"! He's very thoughtful and shows me he loves me in so many other ways but he can be pretty dense when it comes to gift giving. When our kids were little, we agreed to just fill each other's stocking instead of giving each other a gift so we could put the money toward gifts for them. One year, he filled my stocking with 2 cans of Endust! I can laugh at it now but....sheesh!:confused: Gotta wonder what he was thinking at the time.

[Luna]

I have never received a "bad" gift from my dcfs, but the best was a gift card for a restaurant with a really nice note.
My most thoughtless gift ever...my ex bought me a pink dress for my birthday (September) and when I tried it on HE said something like "hoo boy, that dress is UGLY!", and he was right. Then for Christmas he bought me the same dress in blue. The. Same. Dress. Still ugly.

[Familycare71]

I think it's too bad a fun light hearted post had to get serious... When I saw the thread tittle I thought: this should be fun!!
So with that said: I am grateful for every gift!!

Best gift: a massage certificate and (seprate family) a weeks tuition and a magnet that had a beautiful mess on it
Worst gift: plain white coffee mug-

I don't care what the cost is- I just love the ones that are heart felt. From kids or parents