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

[Msdunny]

I am a gift giver - I love thinking over who will get what and making choices that I think will please them the most. And I love it when I know that someone has spent that time (however short) thinking of me.

My 'worst' gift wasn't really bad at all, but the parent didn't know me very well at the time. It was a gift basket that she bought from my favorite coffee shop here in town and I was excited when I first saw it. It was filled with a Minnie Mouse mug - loved that - and various teas, which I don't drink. I know she bought it because I love anything Disney and she and I had met for coffee at that same shop a few weeks before, so it really was a sweet gesture, just missed the mark a little. My husband liked the tea, though, so it all worked out.

Worst gift of all time, ever? I had a family member, years ago, who gave me a shower cap. Yep, a .50 shower cap. I was a teenager at the time, so I am sure my face showed my shock. I hope I was kind with my thanks!

My best gift? Easy - we had a Daycare family give us their time share points one year that allowed our family to take a week's vacation at Disney World, where we stayed in a Deluxe Villa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I doubt any gift will ever top that!

[Blackcat31]

I will agree that thread a like this is often better off in the off topic section or the members only section.

The rest, I'm not going to flame you. We view this differently.

But, you know as well as I do that unregistered posters often post things that are rude and uncalled for. You can post your view point without being rude or painting all providers with the same brush.

That is exactly why I said something though...this thread paints providers with the same brush....

It goes both ways..

I also don't care if someone is unregistered or not. Some nameless person's opinion is just as valuable as someone who has a fake user name attached..kwim?

[hope]

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.

DH got me pillows one year....bed pillows with no pillow case. A cutting board another year. I can't help but laugh. He really thinks he nailed it each time. Haha.

[Luna]

But sometimes I feel that we get those awkward and less than considerate gifts because there is a feeling of obligation. kwim?

When parents feel pressured to HAVE to gift someone, that is when the less than considerate gifts come into play.

Atleast that is my thought process in this.

I can relate to this, because it goes both ways. I always have the kids make a gift for their parents and I give a little gift to each child. This year I have a 1 year old and I have no idea what to give her.
I do feel obligated to give her something, so I'll likely end up giving something just for the sake of giving something. It doesn't mean I haven't put any thought into it, or that I don't care about her, it just means I do not know what to give her.
I'm sure this happens with parents when it comes to providers too.

[crazydaycarelady]

BC - feel free to move this to off-topic if you like.

Why is it that when we providers discuss anything unsavory it turns us into bad, heartless, money grubbing people?

Newsflash - being a provider is NOT all butterflies and rainbows. Most of us work alone so this type of forum is our water cooler. We are better providers for having a water cooler too, a place to commiserate, get support, and laugh with each other!

I have heard plenty of people with "real jobs" complain about their bonus amount or the tower of treats they received from their boss. So laughing about the $1 manicure set I received does not make me materialistic. If it is the thought that counts then I can guarantee a gift is much more appreciated if a little thought actually goes into it.

[melilley]

can't help but laugh. He really thinks he nailed it each time. Haha.

:: Had to laugh!

[CedarCreek]

That is exactly why I said something though...this thread paints providers with the same brush....

It goes both ways..

I also don't care if someone is unregistered or not. Some nameless person's opinion is just as valuable as someone who has a fake user name attached..kwim?

I don't think it does, unless every provider on this site is posting on it.

It's well known that people use unregistered status to post mean things, we have this conversation a lot on the boards. Unregistered or not though, if you shoot shade at me, like unregistered did, your opinion is automatically less valuable to me. Regardless of status.

[butterfly]

have you ever complained about a gift or bonus given by your boss? A co-worker? Maybe something you received in one of those silly office secret santa things? have you ever even been quietly miffed about the thoughtlessness of a gift given by a friend or relative? Have you ever stared at an ugly knick-knack you have to keep for appearance's sake, and wished you had the cash instead? If you answer no....let's face it...you're probably lying to either us or yourself.

YES. We do this for the money. YES. we would like appreciation. YES....if you don't know what to give your provider....try a visa gift card, or starbucks gift card....or cash. Or pick up early with her favorite chocolate bar in hand. or show up with a smile and a small box of new art supplies, or a cost-co sized case of tissues or band aids or paper towels or toilet paper. surprise us with lunch one day during naptime. Give us a card with a handwritten note about how much you appreciate the work we do to care for and educate and yes, help raise, your precious child. Bring her flowers. Donate a new toy to the daycare.

I guarantee you that even if you just show up with something small, but thoughtful, you will be elevated to the position of Most Awesome Daycare Parent, especially if you are truthful about following rules, etc.

lovethis

[CedarCreek]

Another thought: I am POSITIVE that no one on here voices it when they get a "bad" gift. (This goes back to moving this in the off topic section for ventings sake) but like with my DH, I didn't tell him the pjs he gave me ****ed. I wore them anyway.

Same goes for my daycare kids or parents. Any gift they give me, I act like it's the best thing ever.

[lovemykidstoo]

I don't expect anything from my parents and have never received what I think is a bad gift. My favorite thing wasn't at Christmas, but rather last summer when one of my dcm's brought me a fountain diet coke from McDonalds. I'm an addict when it comes to fountain pop diet coke. That just made my day that she thought of me like that. It was a $1.00 product that seriously made my day!! It's the thought that counts.

My real bad present was from my so-called father and his wife. It was a pair, yes a pair, of nursery room nightlights. One was pale green and one was pink and white checked. The kicker? I wasn't pregnant, had no children at the time and worked at a bank. Talk about no thought. bwahaha! That was 20 years ago and my brother and I still laugh about that.

[Blackcat31]

BC - feel free to move this to off-topic if you like.

Why is it that when we providers discuss anything unsavory it turns us into bad, heartless, money grubbing people?

Newsflash - being a provider is NOT all butterflies and rainbows. Most of us work alone so this type of forum is our water cooler. We are better providers for having a water cooler too, a place to commiserate, get support, and laugh with each other!

I have heard plenty of people with "real jobs" complain about their bonus amount or the tower of treats they received from their boss. So laughing about the $1 manicure set I received does not make me materialistic. If it is the thought that counts then I can guarantee a gift is much more appreciated if a little thought actually goes into it.

I didn't move it because it isn't about what I personally like or want to do...

NO job is all rainbows and butterflies.

I totally understand that this is a watercooler for providers.

It's natural to need that outlet. I understand that.

It's HOW providers do that, that gets my goat.

Personally, I feel that it just makes us all look bad.

Your thread could have begun by stating how you are always grateful to get a gift of appreciation from your DCK's and/or families but it didn't...

This is just MY personal opinion. I've said that before and I will say it again. I am not expecting people to agree if they don't. I am not expecting to be treated any differently than anyone else on this board that has an opinion.

I posted my opinion and then replied to those who quoted me. I am NOT trying to persuade you or anyone else to agree or see things from my perspective.

[melilley]

I don't expect anything from my parents and have never received what I think is a bad gift. My favorite thing wasn't at Christmas, but rather last summer when one of my dcm's brought me a fountain diet coke from McDonalds. I'm an addict when it comes to fountain pop diet coke. That just made my day that she thought of me like that. It was a $1.00 product that seriously made my day!! It's the thought that counts.


My real bad present was from my so-called father and his wife. It was a pair, yes a pair, of nursery room nightlights. One was pale green and one was pink and white checked. The kicker? I wasn't pregnant, had no children at the time and worked at a bank. Talk about no thought. bwahaha! That was 20 years ago and my brother and I still laugh about that.

I'm a Coke addict too! Love it-regular though and would love to have someone bring me one!

Ok, that is a bad gift-the lights Sorry, I had to laugh!

[harperluu]

I think as human beings first, we want to feel validated, appreciated and valued. The nature of our job is such that we have massive influence over the lives of each of the children for which we care. The nature of our job is such that we continue to influence heavily the people our little charges will become. In our society our profession is not valued. We are not appreciated. Oftentimes we grasp at any tiny little thing that makes us feel those things that fuel our souls and motivate us to continue, simply because it comes around so seldomly.

When was the last time you read an uplifting story about a provider because she made an impact on a daily basis to shape the people these children will become? So when I complain about a gift I've been given by an ungrateful client, it is really my way of saying why don't you appreciate me. Why can't you show me how much you value my crucial footprint on the lives of your little ones?

I'm not feeling judgmental, I'm feeling my work is not valued, appreciated or validated. And I don't think it makes me materialistic.

My favorite gift is a jar of homemade strawberry rhubarb jelly. I get it every year and I look forward to it.

My least favorite is a box of chocolates from valentine's day that was obviously a regift (ahem).

Write me a note saying how much my work means to you and your family. Don't bring me a 10 mth old box of chocolates.

[Blackcat31]

I don't think it does, unless every provider on this site is posting on it.

It's well known that people use unregistered status to post mean things, we have this conversation a lot on the boards. Unregistered or not though, if you shoot shade at me, like unregistered did, your opinion is automatically less valuable to me. Regardless of status.

How did the unregistered "shoot" at YOU?

They posted an opinion. They didn't even quote anyone... :confused:

I view ALL opinions as valuable perspective and IMHO, unregistered users are usually parents and the opinion of parents IS what is valuable to me.

[lovemykidstoo]

I'm a Coke addict too! Love it-regular though and would love to have someone bring me one!

Ok, that is a bad gift-the lights Sorry, I had to laugh!

I don't know what it is about the fountain pop bubbles, but it's so different than a can and yes, I'm an addict!

the nursery room nightlights, still crack me up to this day, so I guess the present was at least memorable! I don't know what went through their head when they picked those up and said, ya, think she'll love these. bwahahaha!