What / how much to spend on CM for Christmas present

[sheeplikessleep]

DH and I are having a bit of a disagreement.
We're setting a £10 budget with families this year, as it was getting out of hand and everyone is happy with it, as some still wanted to buy for each other / not just for kids. All fine.
However, I want to spend more on our DSs CM. She has been brilliant, does a fantastic job and I really appreciate all of the effort and care she shows and DS2 absolutely adores her. Her family is almost like a second family to him.
So I'd like to spend more. Thinking of £20 - £30. I was thinking of a manicure and a bottle of wine. DH thinks it is wrong to spend so much more on her than our own sisters. I can see his point, but then I also think this is a thank you present too and a time to express our gratitude really.
Any thoughts / similar experiences?
Cheers

Speaking as a cm (charge is asleep) I never worry about how much or how big the gifts that I receive are, words are more meaningful. Why don?t you buy her some nice handcream and write a nice note? That way you will be keeping 2 people happy

Or make something for her (biscuits, jam, a cake)

Words are lovely

I am a cm and would be happy just to read what you have written on here. A small gift and a lovely thank you note that she can show Ofsted and future parents would be great.

Hmm, maybe I need to put more thought into it. What have been the most memorable gifts you've received from your mindees parents can I ask?

My dd has been with her cm for 5 years now and we always get her something at Christmas but do spend between £10-20. We've bought her a scarf and smellies the last two years, and dd always makes her a Christmas card.

Speaking as a childminder I would much prefer a £10 gift over something more expensive. I spend about £10 on each mindees presents and I would feel just awful if parents spent more than I had

hmm, good point mamamaisie.

Agree with mamamaisie about the feeling awful about having so much spent. I get a variety of gifts from parents for Christmas ranging from alcohol, spa sets, hats/bags to evening spa treats with them at the local spa place. One particular family have always spent TOO much money and when I knew they'd spent £70 on a new changing bag (for when I had my new baby - due the following summer), I actually cried with worry at home. I felt they were so incredibly generous that I felt my present would look rubbish but I honestly can't afford much as it all adds up, money has always been VERY tight. Eventually this mum found out how I felt and totally reassured me that she never ever wanted more for her little one, it was that she wanted to show her appreciation and she gets off on my reaction so I have been fine since. But I just wanted to say I found it incredibly difficult to deal with to start with as I just didn't expect it and felt awkward about it. The last Christmas present was not an expensive one but was wonderful as it was all made by her (a hamper with yummy things in, all home made) and another present was a home mad bath oil.

As for my favourites, they have been the evening visits to the beautiful spa locally where I go with them ('them' being one of 2 mums - I've had 2 mums take me) but then they are members so I go as a guest.

But I love all my gifts whether it's a pack of beer/bottle of wine or something more. I have a bracelet that I LOVE that I got from a family last year (or for my birthday this year, can't remember). I doubt was expensive as they can't afford that and I think I got some beer with it too but I really loved the colours and on the rare occasion I go out, I always put it on :)

Anyway, my post was mainly to point out what mamamaisie had said about the feeling awkward about having too much spent! A bottle of wine or some chocs/flowers would mean so much and a fabulous present is always a written reference to add to the file - I totally agree that words mean SOOOO much! :)

looneytune - thank you for taking the time to write such a long post thank you. i'm definitely going to write a written reference and pop it in the christmas card. i just want to try to think of something that really shows how much we appreciate and value her (there isn't much at £10 that isn't obvious or maybe I'm not creative enough )

How about a smaller Christmas present then an out of the blue 'thank you for everything you do/for being you' pressie in February when days are short & dreary & everyone needs a 'pick me up'?

Ialways get my childminder something emma bridgewater because she loves it. I also give her chocs wine or flowers once a month, she is such a brilliant childminder.

Eastnorth - your CM must love you - EB is lovely, but sooooo expensive! :)

One of my parents has bought me flowers a few times (the 1st time I nearly cried I was so touched) out of the blue and it really did make me feel very appreciated.

I think maybe its less about the cost and more that you feel appreciated - a couple of my parents have never done anything for me or my DC (or even said a real thank you for the B'day/Easter/Xmas presents I've bought their DC) and it would mean a lot to get an Xmas card with a nice message!

Anyway, following on from the suggestion of a hamper - could you do a mini- care package type hamper - little box of nice teabags, biscuits, chocs, hand cream, bubble bath - type thing? Little treats that you think she'd enjoy and that show you put more care into it then 1 big present that you could have grabbed/re-gifted with no effort at all.

Idont buy her a whole set, I would rather get rid of my husband than my CM.

geat idea leeloo, thank you. i think i could just about manage that level of creativity too, as it doesn't depend on my baking skills!