I've seen some really great ideas for teachers, but I'm not sure if the same answers apply to an in-home daycare provider. My DS adores his daycare provider, and she's been willing to work with us. I'd like to get her something for Christmas to show our appreciation, but I don't know her well enough to get her anything too personal. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for all the suggestions! I tried an in-between approach. My son made a Christmas card, and I added a personal message telling her how much we appreciated her. Then, we bought a few toys for her daycare, as well as a personalized gift for her. She seemed very pleased with the gifts. Thanks!
Hi P.!
I also create my own "themed" gift baskets. Last year, I went with a movie theme. I put hot chocolate, marshmellows, wintery mugs, candy, popcorn, and a Blockbuster gift card in a big wintery bowl. In my opinion, I think it shows a little more creativity and thoughtfulness than a gift card. But gift cards are great too!
Good luck!
Being a past child care provider I can say yes, all the good ideas would also apply to a child care provider too. You could also give her an extra weeks pay or something in between.
I had a teacher who I sat for who gave me, not only a small gift (which was from the children), but an extra weeks pay which was great because I would have missed the pay when school was closed for Christmas break.
Hi P.,
It's Awesome you are wanting to get your daycare provider a gift. Massage Gift Certificates are always nice. A lot of people don't just go and get a massage...they usually don't make the time. I know, I'm a Massage Therapist. This would truly be a wonderful gift for her. Happy Holidays!
L.
I am a Pampered Chef consultant, and there are a lot of great gifts idea in the mini catalog. Debbi Lilly (whose company, A Perfect Event, created Oprah's 50th birthday) shares her party-planning/gift ideas with Pampered Chef. Personally though, I'd give your daycare provider the Tool Turn-About (#2171 $17)...That's what I'm giving my son's teachers. I found it very useful when I asked my son to sort out his pencils and pens. It can be used for the arts/craft station. You might want to try the Suds Pump too (#2517 $9). Just pair it with a big container of liquid soap. With all the kids in the daycare, there are a lot of hands to wash all the time. www.pamperedchef.biz/letscookinstyle
I love to give a nice magazine subscription as a little gift. This is usually something people won't splurge on for themselves.
As a former childcare provider, money and gift certificates were always greatly appreciated!
P.:
I sell a product called Ribbon Gift's. They are gift albumgs, to which you would select the gift album of choice. They range in price anywhere from $25-$750. The recipient of the gift album then selects from the 30-40 items listed in that gift album. Our gift albums have something for everyone such as jewelry, guy gear, pampared (includes lotions, etc), Cuisinart, Ghirardelli chocolates, etc.
No money exchanges hands between you and I. If you don't like the gift album, simply return it within 180 days and your money will be refunded.
You would need to login to my website at:
http://www.kcardulla.ordermygift.com
Select the gift album, create an account (I can't see any information other than your first and last name.), and the item ships directly to you.
If you spend at least $75, you get free shipping. I use these for small gifts for my hair dresser, babysitter, family and friends for various occasions.
Enjoy!
K.
Try a gift card! You can get them for any and everything!
Gift cert. are always appreciated. Maybe a little spa package from bath and body works with a gift card to a massage parlor would be nice. But speaking from a teacher's standpoint...I say gift card all the way. I do apprecate all of the little gifts that I get at Christmas time, but the gift cards are my favorite! Good luck!
In my experience the past 5 years as a daycare provider, I loved receiving gift certificates to Kohl's or a local restaurant, one year I got a nice basket of bath and body works products and another time I got a nice set of tupperware freeze and bake containers (she knew I loved that kind of stuff) I'm sure she'll love anything you get her though, just knowing you appreciate her will mean a lot. (also, something that I received that meant a lot more than any of the presents was a card with a handwritten note telling me how much they appreciated me and how happy they were to have me as a part of their children's young lives)
What a good mom. I am a child car provider and I always get the kids i sit for a little something and we always do take home projects for mom and dad at the holidays so it's nice to be thought of in return. That being said anything really will do, do something personal from your son that the two of you work on together, most good sitters, feel like the kids they watch are a part of the family and little keepsakes are nice. I've also recieved wonderful cards, yup just a card, but the family was kind enough to write wonderful things and it really touched my heart, candles are nice, but then i can't use them with the kids here, and i've been given flowers, which is always nice and those things with a nice card or a thoughful little project are much more personal than say a gift card, which is what most of us get ppl when we have no better ideas. hope this helps.
My mom was an in home child care provider, and she got many of the gifts then as she does now as a teacher. So I would say yes, things you would think to give a teacher you could give the care giver. Gift certificate, home made gifts from the child, a nice letter stating how thankful you are of her, an extra amount of money with your normal monthly or weekly payment is a common one for caregivers also.
Hi P.,
When I was a home daycare provider years ago I had many great gifts from the families I cared for. Two of my best were: 1.)a $100 gift certificate for a massage, 2.) a $50 gift certificate for a restaurant and movie theatre tickets for two and a coupon for free childcare for my two sons (care by the mom giving the gift).
I hope this helps!
I know that my daycare provider does many crafts and activities with my child. She, on occasion, takes them to lunch at a place with an indoor play area. She never asks me for money or to pay for the treat. I have given her the last couple of years a bonus. I pay her $100 per week so I give her an extra weeks pay. Hope this helps.
Hi, I'm an in-home licensed daycare provider. I have a page on my daycare website that has Gift Ideas for providers - that I have collected over many years from the providers on my large (over 700 members) online provider email list. Hope this helps. http://stepbystepcc.com/gifts.html
Each year, my daughters and I create our own gift basket. It's a great way to mix personal gifts (i.e. crafts from the kids) and gifts from my husband and I (i.e. movie tickets, bath & body works goodies, etc.). Our day care provider has loved it each year, as it varies and is never boring.
Perhaps for an in-home provider you could give her art supplies, toys, books, or a craft kit so that she has more 'stuff' to use at home while watching the kids. I'm going to guess that anything she does with the kids comes out of her pocket, so by supplementing her supply that may be a great help.
