Ideas for Christmas presents for DD's nursery staff

[ShoopShoop]

As the title says really!! DD loves the three lovely ladies who work in her room at nursery. I'd love to get them all presents at Christmas.

Any ideas for inexpensive but nice (non-alcohol related) presents?

Thanks

[iseenodust]

Nail varnish/ french manicure gift sets.

[Finbert]

A lovely Christmas tree ornament each

[ShoopShoop]

Thanks for the ideas - they're really great.

I've just realised how many "loves" or "lovely" words there were in my original post...oops!

[Rubirosa]

Nice hand cream.

[Onadietcolabreak]

Last year I had DS help make little ornaments out fimo, simple things like stocking, stars, tree shapes. He made one for each teacher/assistant he really liked. They all loved them and his teacher said it was have fave gift that year

I always find it hard buying for people you really don't know too well, it's a bit hit and miss with the old choc/wine/smellies.

[DoingItForMyself]

For big groups like teachers & nursery staff I usually buy a nice box of biccies or cakes and take them in a couple of weeks early so they get a chance to spread it out a bit.

Otherwise nail varnish, simple beady bracelets (or wine is always welcome, but I know you said no alcohol!)

[gregssausageroll]

I just get a big tub of celebrations. They are paid to look after children so I only believe in a token gift.

[mamseul]

those gift boxes which Lush do for under a tenner - come ready wrapped too!

[sunnyday123]

Last year someone recommended those jars of christmas style condiments that m&s do on the 3 for 2? They are about £1.50 each and inc cranberry sauce, etc. they bagged them up as trio for each person. May be good idea unless they are very young in which case a bit boring!

[sunnyday123]

Ah yes lush do a secret Santa gift set for a fiver! Last year I gave dds elder teach I assistant some hand made baubles!

[ShoopShoop]

Thanks so much for the replies. I think I'll bring in a big tin of chocolates the week before Christmas, and then raid Lush for their ready wrapped stuff. I guess ages range from 18-40 (and different religions which was why I was avoiding alcohol) so I think lovely smellies are a great idea.

[ShoopShoop]

PS I was thinking I might make some hand made gift tags using DD's handprints and cutting round them, so adding a personal touch too. Although saying that, they're probably sick of the sight of DD's hand and footprints!

[Honsandrevels]

Tk Maxx often do nice candles for about a fiver. I got one for dd1's keyworker last year.

[axlbaby]

I get gift cards for costa or Starbucks - a fiver usually which should be enough for coffee and a cake. (finally my first post after lurking forever!)

[Flojo1979]

Ooo I like the Costa idea! I'd much prefer that than a candle!

[BiddyPop]

DD makes spiced Christmas biscuits for the creche every year (past 6 years). When she was about to turn 1, her involvement was whisking the egg with a fork, and having lots of fun with a small lump of dough and some cutters (those biscuits were strictly for Mum and Dad).

Now, she pretty much makes them entirely apart from the measuring and baking. (We have some tiny little cutters suitable for baby sized cookies, and larger ones for grownups). We usually drop in a tin of these a few days beforehand (the creche she was in as a baby used to add these to the goodies for the Santa and carols party the day before breakup day and they were scoffed!).

We also usually give something like nice candles etc to individual carers. One year I was being creative and knitted a load of facecloths (used cotton as the wool) and parcelled these with a small soap each, which went down well.

[eggsandwich]

Thorntons do a "bag of smiles" which are round chocolates like chocolate buttons with a smiley face on them, they are really yummy!

[3duracellbunnies]

A nice christmas decoration tends to go down well. Seen some interesting ones with beads which we might try this year, made pipecleaner fairy/angels last year and they were very popular. With all the dc now in education I think we are up to 15 teachers/TAs/nursery workers, plus want to make something nice for brownie and rainbow leaders. We're going to be busy!