Compensation for Family Babysitters?

Dear E.,

My parents love it when any of us kids take them out to dinner to say thank you. Once just to surprise my mom for all of the things that she does for my I sent in the mail a bag of candy kisses and a bag of hugs and wrote a note that said "here's some hugs and kisses for all the things you do for me" She loved them so much. I can't afford a lot and my family knows it, but I also know my family well enough to know that its the little things that count. Like buying my dad a jar of peanuts. Good luck.
B.

I 2nd the cookie idea for the "older set", we have also made a pan of brownies and used cookie cutters to make heart shapes....etc.

I always make a photo book for the helpful family as a gift. Walgreens.com has them and you can download your photos, organize them in the book, write the story (captions) and then order the book. They are hardcover bound on medium quality glossy paper, with a pretty cloth or faux leather cover and they aren't too expensive. My family loves them!

We try to get things for my mother-in-law that she needs before she gets them herself. We also have her on our family plan for our cell phones and we pay for it.

There have been a few other posts like these so maybe you can get ideas from those too. Giftcards are always nice.. target, mall, salon, restaurant, movies. YOu could also pick up some yummy food items. I am partial to Tastefully Simple (I love their products and also consult). You could do a beer bread and soup and wrap it up with a soup bowl. Or you could do a caramel sauce and dessert and wrap it up with a spoon. Bed Bath and Beyond has some nice gifts like these as well. Happy holidays!

I like to bake cookies with my kids. You can buy sugar cookies ready to cook and have your little one put sprinkles on them. Grandparents always love something that the little ones make themselves.

just a thought