What are you getting your CM for Christmas?

[sheeplikessleep]

Stuck for ideas! I know she doesn't drink. TBH, I don't really know that much about what she likes or dislikes, as pick ups and drop offs are always such a rush. That sounds awful, but I don't know what she is 'into' (we always end up talking about either the kids, or some course she is on, or little stuff like house renovations etc).

HELP!

Some parents give me nothing (that's fine, they have their own families to worry about). Occasional bottle of wine, or chocs. I actually like it best when they get something for my DD, because I think she gives up more than me for the mindees. Don't worry too much, because your CM will just be very happy that you thought of her.

Ok I've thought of a nice personalised gift that she will use daily. :) I'll give that with a £25 gift voucher and that won't break the bank. Thank you all :)

From a childminder can I just say, those of you worrying about what is adequate/right/appropriate to give your childminder/carer....

to be honest if you WANT to give a present that is lovely but you shouldn't feel its a competition. Anyone with an ounce of decency would not turn their nose up at a homemade card and box of choccies or 150 euros - as with ANY pressie its the thought that counts. (and if your minder or anyone else gets sniffy about what they've been given then they are ungrateful undeserving bums!!!).

one of my families last year (they were from a 'disadvantaged' background and i knew their financial situation) - bless them gave me a box of biccies and I know that it came from the heart and that is what matters.

I don't know if I'm just hormonal or feeling festive but this thread has warmed the cockles. It's so nice to read so many posts from lovely, appreciative people (both CMs and their clients) :-)

Crimbo :)
Pippin - I don't think my cm would ever be ungrateful or turn nose up at anything and will appreciate the thought. I just like to be sure that she knows how special she is to us.

She puts out a cm related sign on her door that is written on an A4 paper with pen. She uses it daily. I've had a lovely wooden sign custom made for her.

sorry haven't checked this thread, thanks all for posting! some great ideas. i can't afford to spend some of the levels suggested on here, so need to be creative!

thanks again

Don't worry - you don't have to be able to afford anything. Just a "Happy Christmas" and a "we really appreciate what you do for us" is fine.

starexpat that's a great idea re the sign. i wish i could think of something similar for our cleaner.

Crimbo - A friend with a cleaner got her cleaner an iPod shuffle so she could listen to music while cleaning :) she didn't have a computer (cleaner) so friend asked her to name 20 of her fav songs and friend had most on iTunes already but got a few more cheaply to add to it.

Super intensive handcream is a very good idea - the Body Shop hemp one is very good and about £5/£10 for small/large one. I got (a posher version of this) last xmas from mindee's mum and every time I use it I think of mindee, who left shortly after, so nice to remember her by.

I'd love anything that showed thought/appreciation, money nice, but I find it is too easily absorbed into running costs/petrol/trip to shop, so vouchers for a meal/cinema etc would be better (IMO) if you wanted to give something of value. I wouldn't ever expect anything like that though.

Oh yes leeloo I get lovely thick handcream for Xmas from at least one student each year. An absolutely fabulous teacher gift regardless of price. I have no idea what posh brands...etc are. I wash my hands so many times each day that handcream never gets wasted :)

The ipod shuffle is a great idea but I think I saw her with earphones on before - will have a look this week!

I've got a big bottle of nice-smelling molton brown handcream for now.

Just got my first present from a mindee today - a mini dairy milk bar, lovingly wrapped by the mindee (I can tell when a 2 yr old has done the wrapping). I'm very happy. It's her last day before Christmas, so there will be a little something to go home with her today.

I too am a CM and like others have said its lovely to receive a gift whatever it is. When a little one comes to your door holding a bunch of flowers or any gift it melts your heart. Last year i got a little hamper with mini bottle champagne, box of my fav chocs, nice coffee, shortbread and a little christmas cake (all things i love, think they asked my dd what i liked), it was lovely.

I too am wonderng what to buy my CM for Christmas. She is quite a religious Muslim lady, so champagne is out and also she is on a diet. I don't want to buy her anything too 'christmasy' what with her not believing in Jesus and don't think she would like to be given cash. Any Muslim CM's out there with any thoughts or comments? These would be gratefully received as we really want to show her how much we appreciate her.

roundgirl how about a 'night in' hamper with dvd and popcorn/malteasers/hot chocolate etc?

I love the idea of the hand-painted tea towel and would love to receive one from my mindees!

Like HSMM, I feel my ds gives up a lot by me having mindees here so I like that he gets remembered at Christmas by many of my mindees families.

I'm a bit stressed about the idea of a week's salary as a bonus of a nanny - We've got a lovely part time nanny and managed to give her a raise at the start of December (5%, a lot more than DH and I got, I've actually taken a small pay cut to have more job security) because she's fabulous. The boys have also picked out a nice scarf for her from them. Honestly a week's salary is a lot of money for us and neither DH nor I would ever get anything like that from our employers (I got a cookbook and a £25 voucher yesterday and DH got a small hamper). We were thinking of something along the same lines (£40 voucher at a local restaurant she can use with her boyfriend). That's pretty reasonable isn't it? We really do value her and want her to know that. Would anyone be insulted by that?

I know what you mean about the child bringing it to you. My newest mindee (5) came with a little box of chocolates this morning and it was so sweet because she was holding it out for me :) I didn't expect anything from them as she only started in September.