Xmas Presents

[terrivh]

Christmas gifts

i carry a list of the kids on my roster printed from my food program. i shrink it to 4x6 size. Then i shop all year round for kids. do birthdays and christmas for the year. Lots easier to buy little buy little and be all ready come christmas. i think this year i only had to go out and buy 3 gifts is all this year.

[Carole's Daycare]

This year I decided to try something different. In years past i've purchased gifts for each child, trying to choose similar items for same age/gender, but customizing the gift, as well as a candle/baked goods etc for the families. This year I stayed open a Fri night in early DEC for parents to shop, wrap, sleep, clean, have a date night, whatever they chose, while we had pizza & games at daycare. THEY LOVED IT. I gave them the one thing money cant buy- more time. I let the families know in the newsletter that instead of my usual $150 budget for gifts, we'd have our usual party with crafts, games and fun, but 2- dollar store item gifts- dress up jewelry, color books etc. I spent $24, the put the remainder into several toys we needed here, wrapped & put under the tree for us to open together to share at daycare. That way evryone had fun, and the daycare kids got several great toys to play with here, where they spend over 75% of their waking playtime.