Hello All,
We are starting our Christmas shopping and I was wondering if anybody had any ideas for a gift for the woman that takes care of our daughter (soon to be two) during the week. She is in the Aurora,IL area and has three very active kids of her own (6,9,13). Something in/around that area would be great. We were thinking maybe a family membership to DuPage Children's Museum, Cantigny, or something along those lines.
Would appreciate some other creative ideas if you've got 'em.
Thanks!
As a former daycare provider, I would suggest gift cards to Walmart, Target, coffee shop, confectioners store, something like that. Be careful of family memberships in corporate daycare settings as many workers are single.
nope, not something for the family....but get something specifically for her. I've been an in-home daycare provider for 8+ years, & the gifts I enjoy are usually the simplest &/or from the heart.
I have a plastic bead necklace from one of my "big girls". She went off to KG one year ago & still returns to visit me. That 1st Christmas, she begged her mom to bring her for a visit & made the necklace for me....insisting on having a pattern in the beading & used my fav colors. I was sooo touched that she remembered patterning from our lessons.....& my fav colors! The necklace hangs in my computer cabinet daily...as a constant reminder as to "why" I'm in this business!
Other than this necklace, my preferences run toward disposables: I absolutely LOVE getting fresh flowers. They bring brightness & cheer to my home for days! Homebaked goods are another fav, as is anything which does not have to be stored & kept forever!
We live in a small town, & I also enjoy receiving gift certificates to local businesses. When my MIL passed away, I received a gift certif to the local nursery....which we used to create a "memory garden" in my MIL's honor. I used this gift as a learning lesson for the children....& they loved the Madonna statue I placed in the garden!
I have also received gift certif to my fav hair stylist, to upscale restaurants, fun gift shops, & the local book store.....all of which have pleased my greatly! Hope this helps!
Hi I was a daycare provider for 6 years. I know most providers work 60+ hours a week. It is thoughtful to do somthing for the family, but I know when I did that I NEVER took time for myself.. I do think you should get her somthing that she can enjoy.. A gift card maybe to a spa, or even a craft (if she is into anything like scrapbooking) or clothing store. Or maybe a restaurant for a night out for her and her hubby. Offer to watch thier kids for a night out with that!! That was my favorite gift I was given.. I am sure she will love whatever you come up with. I also make jewelry now and I make hand stamped necklaces and she could have one with her childrens names.
Had to throw that out there;-) Really the night out would be very appreciated and would be my pick.
Good luck! It is so wonderful to know she is appreciated!
that idea sounds awesome!!! Our daycare lady is british, so we get her assorted british candies and goodies at a local British import store every Christmas and I make her some pecan cookies that she particularly likes and put them in a pretty tin.
.
Hi Mama
As you know us Mamas like to be pampered once in a while,when we get a chance lol.
So maybe get a day pass at the local beauty/health spa so she can relax and unwind with some beauty treatments. Therefore the gift is for just for her.
B.
When my son was in a home daycare 2 years ago, we gave our provider one week's salary as a bonus. That's kind of the expectation around here I guess.
I think gift cards are good for these types of gifts. One that can be used anywhere like an American Express gift card or something. That way she can use it for practical purposes or for fun - which ever is most valuable to her.
I am a home day care provider and I think your ideas are GREAT! They could use it on their own as a family and/or if your provider does field trips, your daughter could go to the place as well (I think with both those memberships it wouldn't cost any more to add on another child). I love the idea of memberships/experiences for gifts. Sci-tech is out that direction, though I haven't been there, but I hear it is geared more toward those older age kids while Dupage children's museum is geared toward younger ages. Spa gifts (pedicure/facial/massage) have also been really nice, as has gift cards to various places. Regardless of what you choose to do, the primary thing is that she will love to feel appreciated by you!!
