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12 caregivers to buy for?
Reilly626
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in Working Moms
The daycare sent an email listing everyone's name for Christmas and said there's a total of 12 caregivers. Some I know work part time and some I see and interact with a lot more. My husband feels everyone should receive the same regardless. As an educator I'd love to be able to give them each a $20 gift card but I can't afford that much. I don't want to give mugs, ornaments, lotion or candles or candy as a teacher we are overwhelmed with it. Is a $10 gift card for Dunkin donuts ok with a nice note? Any ideas?
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Re: 12 caregivers to buy for?
This is what I did when DS was in DC and there were a lot of PT teachers. I would not buy gifts for 12 caregivers - I'd rather spend a little more on LO's main teachers and the rest can share goodies.
If they're all getting the same amount, I don't see why the caregivers would feel slighted. You're not obligated to buy a gift at all- anything that you give is generous IMO. With 12 teachers, I think you're being very fair and you're also not the only Mom. They'll be getting something from each parent.
I think a DD gift card and nice note for each caregiver is perfect.
Can you ask other parents maybe what they've done in the past if they've been there before?
That being said, I think a $10 gift card for each sounds great if you're expected to buy for 12 ppl... If DD is the coffee place of choice in your area, go for that, otherwise Starbucks, Target, Barnes & Noble?
This. DS has a lot of "floater" assistants at his DC. There's no way I'd buy a specific gift for a teacher that I hadn't had a one-on-one conversation with about my child. DS specifically mentions about 4 teachers by name, so those are the 4 he clearly interacts with the most and are thus, getting a gift from us.
Ethan Michael - 12/21/09
Norah Jewel - 2/26/14
I doubt the reason they sent out the names of all the employees was to make the parents feel obligated to give to everyone or to fish for gifts. I mean, the director isn't sitting there saying, "Bwaaaahaahaaa! Now they have to buy gift cards for everyone! Bwaaahaahaaahaaa!" My guess would be that they sent out a list of the names for two reasons, 1) because some people really do want to give gifts to everyone and there has been a history of requests for a list of names and 2) because sometimes the parents aren't sure of the names of the people their kids see. Having a list is helpful when trying to figure out that Ms. Fisbull is actually Ms. Crystal.
I've been working with small kids for nine years and can't count the number of times I've met someone and heard, "OH, your Ms. Memifee. What's your real name?"
I think it would be fine to give something larger to the people your child is around all of the time and then bring something in for the whole staff. You don't even need to do that much. Certainly don't feel pressured by a list of names meant to be helpful!
12 caregivers to give presents to??? Oh Gosh, I wouldnt be able to afford it at all! Even the 10 dollars card!!
I am a nanny and my favorite thing is when the kids make me something instead of the parents going to buy anything - unless it is something they saw and thought of me. Maybe the kids can make one special cookie for each caregiver or so! I strongly recomend you all to join Pinterest and see the ideas they have there!!! OR get a little rose for them! Anything that comes from the heart is better than gift cards!
DD1 has 4 main teachers, and a few others that help out, as well as a room director. DD2 has 2 main teachers, and maybe 4 or 5 other teachers that help out as well as a director. I'm only giving the main teachers and directors gifts, and I'll bring in 2 trays of goodies for the other teachers who help out with DD2, and then for the front office.