Friday, 27 November 2009
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Advice Needed: Christmas Gifts for Babysitter?
We recently hired a regular babysitter. We only use her on Mondays, and she brings her daughter who is 4 days older than my daughter.
Apparently, your supposed to tip your hair stylist, grocery baggers, mailman, newspaper man, and other service providers during the Christmas holidays.
But, I would feel funny tipping the babysitter. I already pay her for her services. I would like to get her a gift, but am not sure what is appropriate. She's only been with us now for about 6 weeks.
I would get her child a little something, but not sure if I'll do a toy or clothes for her daughter. I really don't know what to get the regular babysitter. Some of my thoughts were:
1. Honey baked ham
2. Starbucks gift card with a nice travel mug (she always comes with coffee in hand) or a Starbucks gift set
3. Sweater
4. Throw blanket
5. Target gift card
6. Restaurant gift card
7. Digital Photo Frame
Any suggestions? What do you get your regular babysitter for a Christmas gift?
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About the Author
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- From: june2007bride@xanga
- Name: Jill
- Location: South Carolina
- About Me: Busy mom of 2 beautiful girls under 2. Juggling physical health, spiritual health, mental health, play time, eating, sleeping, a part-time job, laundry, cleaning, being a good loving wife, and the occasional teachable moment.
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Comments (33)
I don't think it's necessary to get her daughter something, but I would get her something, for sure. I would say that a Starbucks gift set or a gift card would be a good idea.
I've never heard of giving a babysitter a gift before. My aunt never gave me gifts for babysitting my cousins when I was 14-15.5 years old. To my knowledge my mother never gave our babysitter or my little sister's babysitter Christmas gifts either.
I wouldn't get the daughter anything.. unless its like a cute little stuffed animal (like under $10) but then maybe make it from your daughter.
We got both our sitters Tim Horton's gift cards (because we don't do Starbucks). But I wouldn't do it if you just hired her, or are not sure she is going to be with you long. We've had both our sitters for several months and plan on keeping them a long time.
I'd go for the starbucks gift set? And maybe get her daughter something small.
Last year the family I babysat once a week for gave my son a new little outfit for Christmas. I didn't expect it, and I didn't feel like I needed to have something too - I appreciated that even though they are paying someone to watch their child (and therefore probably have very little money) they still gave us a gift. However, from what you said, it sounds like a nice coffee travel mug or starbucks gift card would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be a large gift.
i would go with the starbucks gift card or gift set. it shows that not only do you appreciate her, but you're paying attention to what she enjoys.
I think the starbucks thing sounds like a nice idea.
When I was a nanny, the child's mom gave me an LL Bean canvas tote with my initials embroidered on it, and homemade cookies with the recipe on a card. It was a great gift bc it was practical and the cookies were awesome! I think a gift card is the best bet if you've only known her for six weeks. Then she can go out and pick something she loves for herself or her child. The coffee idea is nice too, but you may want to find out if she's particular toward one type of coffee or the other. My MIL will only drink folgers, regardless of how much starbucks/caribou/dunkin donuts I bring her. Some people are picky like that.
I'd say just a small starbucks gift card. My job this summer was being a nanny, and the two parents I work for gave me a card and a movie coupon and said they really appreciated the time I spend with their kids. If you just gave her soemthing like that I'm sure she would really appreciate it. Of course she doesn't expect it but it's nice to know that you appreciate her work that much :D
I'd go with Starbucks or Target giftcards. Those are always awesome to give when you're not too sure. As for her daughter, I'd go with a small toy or stuffed animal she may like. Childrens books arent to expensive either.
Don't go out of your way on it. Yes, being thoughtful is great. However, spending more than $10 on a gift for someone you already pay is ridiculous. The family I babysat for always got me a nice box of lindt chocolates and I'm guessing it costs around the same I was making per hour, $10. Keep the hourly rate in mind and you should find you both come out of the holidays happy
I think all of your suggestions sound great and I'm so happy to see you thinking of your babysitter. It's surprising to me how often babysitters get overlooked or underpaid or just generally swept under the rug. Why do people treat them that way? These people are taking care of your children - the most important things in your life! I think the Starbucks gift card and the travel mug are great - especially since you've seen her with coffee. Otherwise, I'd go with maybe the throw blanket ... but that's just because I loooove blankets (in fact, I have one around me right now!)
I think this is a lovely and thoughtful idea. I would go with the gift card or the Starbucks card and a small gift for her child...like an ice cream gift card or a movie pass or a stuffed animal.
I babysit and I would be so thankful do get a gift :)
She has a daughter, get her the target gift card so she can buy herself something she might have wanted but didn't want to spend money on. Get her daughter a small toy, no matter what it is she'll love it!
STARBUCKS PLEASE
i think getting her daughter something would be a gift enough.
first of all, you ARE paying for her services she DID just start working with you so you don't know if it's going to be long term or not.
if she's a personal friend as well then sure get her something.
also, keep in mind that she also brings her daughter over to baby sit. that's kind of a gift on its own as well. it's basically a play date for the kids you know?
i'd keep it to a really inexpensive gift. $10 or $15 at most.
instead of a gift card to star bucks, i would say get a travel mug instead. it's something she can get a lot of use out of. even if she already has a travel mug it's nice to have a second one in case the first one is dirty and you don't have time to wash it.
you can find a travel mug with her initial on it or something.
when i was younger and i used to babysit regularly i never expected gifts from the parents. if i got anything it would be me giving something small to the children.
one year i got a box of chocolates from one parent and another parent gave me a christmas card with a photo of me and their children. it was really sweet. and more than i expected.
go with whatever you feel comfortable with
I guess the question really is, is she getting you or your family anything special for Christmas? Do you know if she plans on getting you gifts, or cards? I was a regular babysitter, and then a Nanny, and I was always given a "Christmas Bonus" type gift from my families, whether it was a card, or a giftcard, or a gift, or even a little extra at the end of one day/week (whatever your pay scale is) as a sort of "bonus" but I don't know if six weeks qualifies for a bonus. I would think you could get her a giftcard to somewhere for both her and her kid. Like Chuck-E-Cheese or even 2 movie tickets to a local theater. something small and thoughtful is always nice, and hopefully she remembers that too! I always tried to get my "families" a card, or a small gift each year. Or I would offer free child care for a set amount of hours. Maybe you could offer her "overtime" on some of her holiday work days instead of a present?
I have been working as a nanny for the same couple 5+ days a week for two & a half years now, & they have never given me a Christmas present. Usually, their two girls will make me a card or something, & I have never expected more than that. Although I have become fairly close with the family, I am still an employee before I am a friend. If you really feel obligated to give the babysitter a little something extra, I think a small (five or ten dollars, tops) gift card to starbucks or her favorite coffee stop (if you know it) is a good way of showing that you appreciate her.
Number two sounds perfect. It's a very thoughtful gift.
If you feel like you want to get her something, I would agree with other posters and get a gift card for Starbucks or something small and practical like some chocolates or a bookstore gift card.
Also the mailman is not allowed to take money but we leave cookies for ours, which they seem to appreciate. Our old carrier used to leave a TY card but our replacement one doesn't so maybe he doesn't like cookies? haha.
Maybe I'm just mean, but I wouldn't give the babysitter or her daughter anything special for Christmas. There are enough people to shop for in a family, add in your close friends, there's no need to add in the help. I know that sounds bad. The help. :/
But, there's no reason to feel strange about tipping her. You really don't even have to say you're doing it, just give her a little extra and let her find out herself. Or just saying, "since its Christmas" and smile.
Getting a gift from you, or you giving her daughter a gift, might seem a little forward and may be awkward. At least with the extra money she could buy something extra for her daughter for Christmas in addition to what she is already going to buy her. :) Or something like that. You get the idea. :p
I'm a babysitter, and the people I regularly babysit for, usually give me a little something around the holidays. One of the families typically give me cards the kids made me, and a Christmas candle. The other family, they usually give me some kind of homemade bread or cookie. She makes treats around Christmas, so she just hands me one as well. :]
Don't feel obligated to give her anything huge, and tipping might be a little awkward. Starbucks gift card sounds perfect for her.
I don't understand the concept of tipping ANYONE for services they provide. As far as I ever understood (I am 43 years old) gifts are for family and friends. I never received gifts when I babysat, except on my 16th and 18th birthday and I had babysat for the people who provided the gifts once a week and every other weekend for several years.
The people who work for you, either a landscaper, a babysitter, etc, are paid to do a job. If you are friends with them, then get a gift. If not, then why put her in the position of feeling she may have to reciprocate. Especially if you get her daughter something, she may feel that she has to get your child something.
If you feel the absolute need to give her something, then give her some home baked cookies, or something along that line. Gifts shouldn't be expected, they should come from the heart, not the wallet. A spiral sliced ham is around $30. That seems like a lot for someone who watches your daughter once a week.
I like the Starbucks idea : )
I think the starbucks gift card is appropriate. I assume you're planning on using her for a while anyway?
I've been babysitting a family for a little over 2 years now. Just once or twice a month usually, but sometimes more. Last year the mom bought this cute santa pin for me. I bought the two kids small gifts from taget last year, and this year just went to five below and picked up a few small items for each kid for this year. Just like jewelry and small stuffed animals for the girl, and an arts and crafts thing for the boy. I think I'm going to get the parents a restaurant gift card too.
I just think it's a nice gesture. I mean yes, I am their babysitter, but after 2 years a relationship of more than that has developed. It's just like getting any other close family friend a present at this point.