Christmas gft for daycare provider?

[The Vern]

I would like to give the daycare provider something, as I'm so lucky to have her. But I don't know how much people spend on a gift in general? I was thinking a spa gift certificate or a dinner gift certificate to a nice restaurant in town, but then someone said that's too impersonal. Do people have any other idea and how much one 'should' spend? Thanks.

[Mum to cool dude]

Last year, I gave the ladies at nursery boxes of choccies but this year's lady is a bit on the large side, so I'm not sure she'd welcome chocolate if she's trying to lose weight - she seems to enjoy crafts when she's on the job, so I might go for that

I don't think that the vouchers are a bad idea. At least your provider can decide what she wants to spend it on and whether she's spending it on herself or on her family

[Intransit]

I got my provider some expensive hand soap and cream..since she is always washing her hands..and she loved it!
Fruits & Passions for you Canadians

[Jaime]

i usually do dinner gift certificates - and usually darden restaurants cause then she has a choice from several places to eat.  that way she & her dh can get a date night.

her birthday is also in december (actually it's tomorrow!    ), so i usually give her lotion or something like that then.  i should probably get on that....   

[mommy4life]

I think you ladies are very generous.
I dont think you need to spend more than $20.00. It really is the thought that counts. I used to have a day home and I I think that $20.00 is more than enought.
If you want to spend more than I know they will love it.
I think any of what you ladies have mentioned are all great gifts.
Do they drink coffee? Perhaps a basket with some coffee stuff....mug, coffee, pretty spoon?
I like the soap and lotion idea...specially when around kids...you should be washing lots thru out the day.
Look in their house....do they like candles? Do they collect anything?
OOOHHH OH another thing I love to gift with is  the willow tree ornaments             

http://www.demdaco.com/willowtree.aspx

They are very personal and simple. I think the "thank you" one is nice...."mi casa"  if you look at it like
you house is my house....because your kids are there. There is one called "greatful". Even the "guardian angel" cause they care for your kids. "angel of wonder" working with kids keeps you wondering? perhaps. Just some ideas.
did I mention that I love these ornaments. LOL
Those are a few of my ideas.
good luck

[Karin3]

When in doubt, I always get something at Bath & Body Works.  They have a number of different baskets at different price ranges.

[Wilsmon]

I was getting a Visa gift card but I think I will just give her cash this year.  Probably $50-75.  I just feel like she does so much for our kids all year and I figure what I and the other parents do will be her only "bonus" for the year so I like to do what I can. 

I guess I go with cash so she can get what she wants. I did get her a small water fountain last year b/c I remebered her saying she wanted a big one that sits on the floor when she bought her new furniture but figured the kids would be playing in it all the time!  So I got her one that sits on the counter.  I have heard of other people buying some supplies (crayons etc) also. 

[The Vern]

Thanks for everyone's great ideas! I'll keep them in mind for next year.

What I ended up doing was going to Winners and I bought a wicker basket and filled it with various goodies: hand soaps, hand lotion, body lotion, scented candles and then stuffed a bunch of tea bags here and there, as I know she enjoys a nice cuppa at the end of the day when the kids are gone.

[rooby-rooby-roo]

I just went today to buy for our new day carer. I ended up getting her some vouchers for a clothes store as she is really into fashion and nice clothes (always look too well dressed to be minding my grubby monsters!!)

[linfran]

DS is in a nursery and we got each of the girls there a ilttle Willow Tree ornament which they can use as an ornament and hang on a tree.  I used to run Brownies and was given chocolates all the time - I had bagfuls of them so I ended up taking them to the local old folks' home where they would at least be eaten.

[MamaC]

I got her a Target gift certificate last year (but she spent it on the daycare....)and this year we're getting a massage (so she has to spoil herself).....She's like a second mom to ds....

[mommy4life]

I babysit 1 day a week for a family member and as a thankyou they gifted me a  bottle of Baileys and a candle holder. It was a lovely surprise and greatly apprciated.

[maggieruth]

our nursery didn't get anything this year cuz as i was leaving on tues i said, "see ya friday"  turns out i wouldn't, nursery was closed and tues was the last day Ethan was in (and has been kinda unwell since so no time for momma to drop something off!)