Christmas Present Ideas For Daycare Provider

jasminelorraine20 · November 2013

What are you all doing for your daycare providers for Christmas? DS will be taking Holiday photos at the end of the month, so should I incorporate one of his pictures into the gift? I'm not sure what kind of budget I should be looking at. For her housewarming party, I gave a $50 gift card to Bed, Bath and Beyond, so I'm thinking I'll stay in that price range or lower since I have others to factor in for the holidays.

LoCarb · November 2013

I have 2 kids with before/after school teachers plus their regular teachers and I buy for 2 of the front desk ladies each year. That's a lot ppl and I'm on a budget. Each year I give each person $5-10 scratch off lotto tickets. They are a big hit!

SLaBM2B · November 2013

We've decided to give a $100 cash gift. She can do what she pleases with it. I read this idea from someone on another board and thought it was kind of tacky, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Or, is it tacky? My brain stopped working 4.5 months ago, so I have no idea what is what anymore.

Karla CS · November 2013

I'm not even sure how to handle the fact that we're in a center when it comes to gifts... There are two primary teachers in DD's room, but one is always gone before I get there, and there's another floater who is consistently there when I pick up. Then another 2-3 floaters who rotate in on a less consistent basis. I'm thinking 2 teachers plus consistent floater. Or would you go for all the floaters?

I'm liking the scratch off idea!

mrsshawnavanb · November 2013

DD is also in a center, but last year I got the teachers and director a really cute tin filled with hot cocoa, and a festive bag of candies. I think I spent about $6 on each teacher. It was affordable and cute. And, hopefully they used/ate it! I also like the scratch off idea!

bibby32714 · November 2013

I was thinking some sort of craft with her hand or footprint saying thank you, merry christmas, etc. and a gift card. Probably I'll make some sort of treat as well. (I get together with much of my family and make christmas candies/treats/cookies every year. There is always too much so I will prob share with her.)

jlaOK · November 2013

Target gift card.

dglvrk2 · November 2013

DD goes to a small in home daycare. I'm thinking of seeing if the other parents want to go in on something this year. The owner/operator would love a spa gift certificate, I know. (She likes massages etc)

If we don't go this route, I'll do $10-20 gift cards for the two assistants and a gift certificate to a nice restaurant for the owner.

sdlaura · November 2013

SLaBM2B said:

We've decided to give a $100 cash gift. She can do what she pleases with it. I read this idea from someone on another board and thought it was kind of tacky, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Or, is it tacky? My brain stopped working 4.5 months ago, so I have no idea what is what anymore.

I don't think it's tacky - we do cash. I also try to come up with something small and meaningful as well, though.

Samiantha101 · November 2013

I'm doing a visa gift card. I like all of
three of my dd's teachers, but there's one that I really am grateful for. She is amazing with dd. Is it a bad idea to do a larger amount for her?

Nechie122 · November 2013

I always do gift cards to a place like Target or Amazon, so it's close to cash because there are so many things you can buy.

jasminelorraine20 · November 2013

mrsshawnavanb said:

DD is also in a center, but last year I got the teachers and director a really cute tin filled with hot cocoa, and a festive bag of candies. I think I spent about $6 on each teacher. It was affordable and cute. And, hopefully they used/ate it! I also like the scratch off idea!

I really like this idea!! Thanks!

jasminelorraine20 · November 2013

DaisyBlinks said:

I'm a DCP! Our parent's association has us fill out a form when we're hired listing what kinds of things we like as gifts. Then they collect cash from everyone and get us what we want. I prefer this. I was able to get a DSLR with my visa gift card last year which was just amazing.

Some people gave me their own gifts too though, and I appreciated those too--coffee and a scarf were nice and thoughtful.

At this is just me personally--but I cannot stress enough how much I don't want a photo of your kid. I love the kids I work with, but what am I supposed to do with a photo of them? I've gotten little photo books before and I just toss them out. I might just not be very sentimental that way though.

Thanks for the tip! I won't be giving a picture of LO then! lol

sillygirlio · November 2013

DaisyBlinks said:

At this is just me personally--but I cannot stress enough how much I don't want a photo of your kid. I love the kids I work with, but what am I supposed to do with a photo of them? I've gotten little photo books before and I just toss them out. I might just not be very sentimental that way though.

Daisy, I am also a DCP and I'm so happy you said this! I don't understand why people do this and I throw them away too. I mean, it would be weird if I were taking the pictures myself... why is this different? My DCP group talks about this all the time. Who knew we weren't alone?!

That being said, my DCP group also complains about baked goods, chocolate milk mixes and candy. Maybe we're just whiners, but if I ate every "goodie" I was given in December I'd have to buy new pants every January and it's HARD to not eat it when you're stressed and there's chocolate everywhere! I would rather receive nothing than receive a plate of goodies.

There, I said it! Now, excuse me while I hang head in shame over not being appreciative of a gift.

jasminelorraine20 · November 2013

sillygirlio said:

DaisyBlinks said:

At this is just me personally--but I cannot stress enough how much I don't want a photo of your kid. I love the kids I work with, but what am I supposed to do with a photo of them? I've gotten little photo books before and I just toss them out. I might just not be very sentimental that way though.

Daisy, I am also a DCP and I'm so happy you said this! I don't understand why people do this and I throw them away too. I mean, it would be weird if I were taking the pictures myself... why is this different? My DCP group talks about this all the time. Who knew we weren't alone?!

That being said, my DCP group also complains about baked goods, chocolate milk mixes and candy. Maybe we're just whiners, but if I ate every "goodie" I was given in December I'd have to buy new pants every January and it's HARD to not eat it when you're stressed and there's chocolate everywhere! I would rather receive nothing than receive a plate of goodies.

There, I said it! Now, excuse me while I hang head in shame over not being appreciative of a gift.

As a DCP what would you appreciate as a Christmas gift?? I'm glad I posted this.

LoCarb · November 2013

Samiantha101 said:

I'm doing a visa gift card. I like all of three of my dd's teachers, but there's one that I really am grateful for. She is amazing with dd. Is it a bad idea to do a larger amount for her?

Yes (bad idea), teachers talk to each other and share what they received as gifts. I think you should be grateful for all three teachers. Even if only one (in your eyes) is amazing with your DD the other two are teaching other children allowing fave teacher spend more one on one time, be in a great mood, not be overwhelmed at work allowing her to be such an amazing person.

jasminelorraine20 · November 2013

LoCarb said:

Samiantha101 said:

I'm doing a visa gift card. I like all of three of my dd's teachers, but there's one that I really am grateful for. She is amazing with dd. Is it a bad idea to do a larger amount for her?
Yes (bad idea), teachers talk to each other and share what they received as gifts. I think you should be grateful for all three teachers. Even if only one (in your eyes) is amazing with your DD the other two are teaching other children allowing fave teacher spend more one on one time, be in a great mood, not be overwhelmed at work allowing her to be such an amazing person.

Thankfully I don't have this issue. He only has one full-time DCP and her assistant is a floater. I only plan to buy for the actual DCP.

Samiantha101 · November 2013

LoCarb said:

Samiantha101 said:

I'm doing a visa gift card. I like all of
three of my dd's teachers, but there's one that I really am grateful for. She is amazing with dd. Is it a bad idea to do a larger amount for her?

Yes (bad idea), teachers talk to each other and share what they received as gifts. I think you should be grateful for all three teachers. Even if only one (in your eyes) is amazing with your DD the other two are teaching other children allowing fave teacher spend more one on one time, be in a great mood, not be overwhelmed at work allowing her to be such an amazing person.

I thought about it more, and I agree I should give them each an equal amount. All three ladies are pretty great, but the one is just above and beyond, and she's not just that way with my daughter alone. Anyways, I appreciate them all, and I don't want to stir the pot.

sillygirlio · November 2013

I work from home now, so things are different... but when I worked in a center we were really excited about gift cards (though honestly, I usually end up using the gift cards to buy gifts for the people on my list instead of getting something for myself. I still love and appreciate them because they help tremendously with my December expenses! DCP don't make a lot of money, and December can be tough.), heartfelt notes from families and pictures drawn or colored by the kids who were old enough to do those sorts of things.

Now that I'm on my own, things vary quite a bit. Some families give "bonus" checks, some ask for a list of things I want/need and then choose a personal gift. I've received scarves, massages, colored paper, supplies... all sorts of things. I once got fruit rollups because the Mom remembered me telling her that I never serve them because I love them so much that I usually end up eating the box myself! I think that was the best gift ever because it showed she was paying attention and thinking of me. Some do nothing.

Really, I'm super happy and excited about anything that doesn't clutter my house (like coffee mugs, and framed pictures) or make me fat.

Also, I think it's nice that you're putting thought into this.

AmberDerek · November 2013

My DS has three teachers in his room and I was planning on buying $20 GC to either Target or Starbucks for each teacher. Last year the teachers seemed to like the Starbucks card, but he has new teachers this year because he moved up to the toddler room. Should I go with Target or Starbucks?

Also in the morning he is with a variety of teachers for 30 minutes before the toddler room opens. Do I need to get anything for them? Also what about the director and assistant director? I bought for them last year because they helped in the infant room frequently, but they aren't in the toddler room nearly as often. Any opinions?

plus12012 · November 2013

I'm going to do a supply cake and a gift card for each teacher.

Mustardseed2007 · November 2013

plus12012 said:

I'm going to do a supply cake and a gift card for each teacher.

Wow that's really cute!

I'm planning on doing a target GC.

If I was more creative and talented I would do the supply cake too, lol.

AmberDerek · November 2013

mainerocks said:

AmberDerek said:

My DS has three teachers in his room and I was planning on buying $20 GC to either Target or Starbucks for each teacher. Last year the teachers seemed to like the Starbucks card, but he has new teachers this year because he moved up to the toddler room. Should I go with Target or Starbucks?

Also in the morning he is with a variety of teachers for 30 minutes before the toddler room opens. Do I need to get anything for them? Also what about the director and assistant director? I bought for them last year because they helped in the infant room frequently, but they aren't in the toddler room nearly as often. Any opinions?
I vote Target over Starbucks. Some people really don't like Starbucks, but you can always find something at Target.

Thanks! The only reason I wasn't sure is I thought coffee is more of a treat and Target is more of stuff you need. But obviously there are lots of fun things people can buy at Target too : )

ebp913 · November 2013

L12541 said:

SLaBM2B said:

We've decided to give a $100 cash gift. She can do what she pleases with it. I read this idea from someone on another board and thought it was kind of tacky, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Or, is it tacky? My brain stopped working 4.5 months ago, so I have no idea what is what anymore.

I don't think it's tacky - we do cash. I also try to come up with something small and meaningful as well, though.

I have a nanny but this is exactly what I am doing. I know she'd probably appreciate cash more than anything else and she can spend it on exactly what she wants. Also planning to take the kids to a pottery place and do a cute coffee mug for her as well with their handprints since she loves coffee.

Karla CS · November 2013

AmberDerek said:

mainerocks said:

AmberDerek said:

My DS has three teachers in his room and I was planning on buying $20 GC to either Target or Starbucks for each teacher. Last year the teachers seemed to like the Starbucks card, but he has new teachers this year because he moved up to the toddler room. Should I go with Target or Starbucks?

Also in the morning he is with a variety of teachers for 30 minutes before the toddler room opens. Do I need to get anything for them? Also what about the director and assistant director? I bought for them last year because they helped in the infant room frequently, but they aren't in the toddler room nearly as often. Any opinions?
I vote Target over Starbucks. Some people really don't like Starbucks, but you can always find something at Target.

Thanks! The only reason I wasn't sure is I thought coffee is more of a treat and Target is more of stuff you need. But obviously there are lots of fun things people can buy at Target too : )

I would second Target here too.. You always run the risk of getting a weirdo (like me) who can't stand coffee or tea.

AmberDerek · November 2013

Karla CS said:

AmberDerek said:

mainerocks said:

AmberDerek said:

My DS has three teachers in his room and I was planning on buying $20 GC to either Target or Starbucks for each teacher. Last year the teachers seemed to like the Starbucks card, but he has new teachers this year because he moved up to the toddler room. Should I go with Target or Starbucks?

Also in the morning he is with a variety of teachers for 30 minutes before the toddler room opens. Do I need to get anything for them? Also what about the director and assistant director? I bought for them last year because they helped in the infant room frequently, but they aren't in the toddler room nearly as often. Any opinions?
I vote Target over Starbucks. Some people really don't like Starbucks, but you can always find something at Target.

Thanks! The only reason I wasn't sure is I thought coffee is more of a treat and Target is more of stuff you need. But obviously there are lots of fun things people can buy at Target too : )

I would second Target here too.. You always run the risk of getting a weirdo (like me) who can't stand coffee or tea.

Ok, will do. Thanks!

katiegal · November 2013

We usually do $100 visa gift cards for each.

junebugrbig · November 2013

We use an in-home provider and we either do cash or a Target GC every year. Usually between $50-$100.

Louiej · November 2013

Also, some targets actually have Starbucks in them now...and they will take target GC! Win win!

abz2009 · November 2013

What about something like a personalized 31 tote? Is that would be considered cluttery or is it something they would actually use? Do you buy for the floaters & director if you don't know the floater and the director doesn't sub in the room?? This is difficult hah

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