Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What should i give my cleaner for Christmas?

38 replies

Lilifer · 17/12/2018 14:31

Just wondering what is the norm here. My cleaner has been with me for a year, comes once a week and i pay her £30 for 3 hours. She is reliable and hardworking and I want to give her something this week for Christmas but should i get her a gift (and if so what) or else just give her the cash instead (how much is reasonable?) as that would probably be more useful to her at thsi time of the year. TIA

OP posts:
Purpleartichoke · 17/12/2018 14:32

If you can swing it, the cost of one cleaning. If that is outside your budget, then I would still lean towards cash or gift card.

easterholidays · 17/12/2018 14:33

I put £20 inside a Christmas card for mine each year which I think is fine and seems to be appreciated.

IHaveBrilloHair · 17/12/2018 14:36

Bottle of her favourite drink and double wages is what I give mine.

Sparklesocks · 17/12/2018 14:38

A Christmas in bonus in cash would probably be most appreciated, maybe a small box of chocs too if money doesn’t feel ‘presenty’ enough.

Snowwontbelong · 17/12/2018 14:41

Cleaner here!!
List of much appreciated gifts over the years include :
Posh scarf!!
Posh chocs!
Posh biscuits!!
Wire chicken egg holder (chicken lover!)
China egg holder - like off Bread!!
Yearly planner /calendar!
Nice smellies!
Wine selection!
And get paid for the 2 weeks over Christmas from most of my customers!

blackteasplease · 17/12/2018 14:41

Cash plus chocolate biscuits here

Lemons1 · 17/12/2018 14:42

We gave our cleaner a bottle of prosecco and some extra cash as a Christmas bonus, both were appreciated.

Fluffyunicorns · 17/12/2018 14:44

I normally give ours the week off but still pay her. Not sure what I am going to do this year as she comes Tuesdays so Christmas day and New Years day. Alternate between thinking I should pay her for both or ask her to move the second day depending on how empty my wallet is and how messy my house is.

Aridane · 17/12/2018 14:44

Cash!

crumble82 · 17/12/2018 14:49

We’ve given ours a bottle of wine and 1hr wages.

Babyroobs · 17/12/2018 14:53

I've just got a bottle of Gin for my dog sitting lady.

AviatorShades · 17/12/2018 14:57

Cash here tooGrin

ShatnersWig · 17/12/2018 15:00

Genuine question - why do we think some roles are worth a Christmas bonus or tipping and not others?

peakSafeSpace · 17/12/2018 15:01

Bottle of booze.

My rule for gifts like these is 'buy something they wouldn't buy themselves' i.e. £30 wine. It isn't crazily expensive but it's likely a treat.

We also pay without expecting work, but we have a full time helper. She comes in on Boxing day for the dishes but that's at 5x time.

YahBasic · 17/12/2018 15:04

We’ve only had ours for a couple of months, so went with a nice box of M&S biscuits, and then a couple of bags of sweets for her grandkids.

She asked to have next week off and we offered to pay her, but she refused.

LadyPasserine · 17/12/2018 15:05

A top of the range Dyson so she can do the job even more efficiently then you can reduce her hours down to two. This will free up more of her time to spend with family.

TranmereRover · 17/12/2018 15:15

peak space - you could buy yourself a dishwasher for the same amount as 5x hours and have the dishes done immediately after the meal and let the poor woman have a day off!

peakSafeSpace · 17/12/2018 15:18

@TranmereRover

Not in the UK so dishwashers are rare. The stuff for inside is rarer.

She's Hindu so doesn't care about Dec 26th (or 25th).

The full day pay for an hour's work (5x pay) is alongside her 365 days pay. A bonus. I feel it's fair.

shockthemonkey · 17/12/2018 15:21

In France we have something called "the thirteenth month".

So I give a cash gift that amounts to a month of pay.

She's pure genius (very very clever on top of being a great cleaner) and so very worth it.

ethelfleda · 17/12/2018 15:45

Thanks for this thread, OP. Our cleaner started a couple of months ago and I was thinking of putting some money in a card for her.

Birdsgottafly · 17/12/2018 15:45

ShatnersWig, I no longer tip the bin men because they are paid by the council and are on a good wage.

I tip my Gardeners and Window cleaner. I put money on the tip jar in local shops etc and always tip my hairdresser.

I think it's wage structure, whether self employed, how valuable/personal the service.

ethelfleda · 17/12/2018 15:45

Thanks for this thread, OP. Our cleaner started a couple of months ago and I was thinking of putting some money in a card for her.

Birdsgottafly · 17/12/2018 15:45

ShatnersWig, I no longer tip the bin men because they are paid by the council and are on a good wage.

I tip my Gardeners and Window cleaner. I put money on the tip jar in local shops etc and always tip my hairdresser.

I think it's wage structure, whether self employed, how valuable/personal the service.

HavelockVetinari · 17/12/2018 15:55

A week's wages is normal I think, plus a card/chocolates/small gift.

SilverySurfer · 17/12/2018 16:58

Definitely money.

Swipe left for the next trending thread