Tone deaf nursery gifts

[grassverge]

A mum at our nursery arranged a collection for the 10 staff members. She collected £400. All of the workers are on Minimum wage. She spent the money on gift vouchers to a local restaurant that charges £9 for a starter and £20 for a main. Considering the cost of living, am I wrong to be cross about this? She should have just given them £40 each.

Oof, didn't think that through did she. How is it a gift if you have to spend money to enjoy it?

YANBU - if she didn't want to give cash then at least do Love2Shop vouchers and everyone could spend it as needed/or as a treat.

YANBU vouchers that can be used in a range of places would have been much better.

Was she thinking that they could all go out together for a meal? I suppose that's quite a nice idea, but I agree not the best use of the money.

I've stopped joining things like this. One minute there's a reasonable plan, the next someone has passed the cash onto someone else, who has then bought a load of tat.

I really don't understand what is wrong with cash. Gift vouchers are like an inconvenient approximation of cash.

Love2Shop vouchers are a pain too. They're hard to spend and they start to lose value eventually.

This is right I think

Cash would have been so much better.

We do amazon vouchers - so it’s not quite handing over cash but almost.

Well maybe that £40 would enable them to have a nice evening out as it would significantly reduce the cost. Cash would just go on every day living expenses which isn't really much of a gift either.

I don't know if they can accept cash. It's a ridiculous rule but where I work we can accept gifts but not money. No idea why and given the children are leaving it's not as if we're being bribed to give better childcare.

I’m not sure o see the problem. Lots of work places don’t allow you to accept cash gifts, and this voucher would be £40 each which would allow for two courses and a drink each at those prices. Surely that’s a nice free meal out?

But presumably the staff would all have to go for the meal together, which they may not want to, as if they went with a partner for example, they'd end up spending considerably more on the meal. I agree cash or Amazon/ M&S/ similar gift card would have been better, though I'm sure the purchaser meant well.

What a waste of money. Even Costa vouchers would have been better.

Our class collectionshave always been for M and S vouchers. I think it's a great idea xx

If the vouchers are enough for everyone to have a main course and a drink or two each then I think it's fine.

It's a nice idea but could end up being very expensive if people have to buy new outfits or get childcare. I hate receiving vouchers as gifts, it's so much worse than money.

Gah! I have just done the dreaded collection for DDs room. Had been planning on cash or a voucher (one4all/love to shop type) but my preference was cash. There is a small gift to come with it. Any idea how I find out if cash can't be accepted?

Really surprised at the responses! It’s enough for a two course meal and a drink each. It’s a lovely gesture and the chance to treat themselves, which they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
It was a gift not a top up of their wages. I think it was a lovely idea.

What are good options? DD finishes this week and I love all the staff there. Was pondering vouchers (useful ones!) but didn’t know what for.

I'm with you. Not sure I see the issue. They can go as a big group and get a night out. I hate Amazon vouchers or shop vouchers cos I rarely buy "things" but I'm always up for a nice meal!

That’s crazy. They’d usually be happy with a box of chocolates. I am sure some of them will actually feel embarrassed about such a steep collection. Also, not everyone can afford to contribute surely with the price of childcare fees? Awkward.

You're talking about this as though you were an observer.

Were you one of the contributors to the gift?

Did you help the collector in any way?

I'd be disappointed. Not in a school but it is very difficult to find somewhere where everyone in our team can find something they want to eat. The parent has chosen for them which might end up being wasted money.

Often M&S or John Lewis vouchers go down well.

I used to always buy Boots gift cards for DS’ nursery staff, as that way they can either spend on treat stuff or use to buy essentials.

Agree the gift choice is tone deaf.