How much should I tip my full time nanny for Xmas?

[lollystix]

She works 50 hours on good nanny rate. We love her and want to tip her but not awash with cash in an way. She gets about £500 a week before her tax and I can manage £250 as I have to get her birthday present which is £100 voucher. Is that enough?

She will be over the moon with that, I certainly would!

Posted too early! It's not about how much we get or what we get, it's the thought that's put into a gift and the meaning that comes with it. Ie, you're a fab nanny and we love you, that's what means a lot and a home made card from your kids is priceless too.

I have just sat with our nanny while she opened the (thoughtful, IMO)presents we bought her, she seemed delighted. I would find it strange just giving her a cash tip (or at least all cash, no present) and I think she would be a bit upset too - she is part of our family. I guess it depends on your nanny/your relationship though - £250 is fine as a bonus/present value.

wow, i think i'm in the wrong job!
i would be happy with any kind of cash bonus, i wouldn't be insulted at all, i think she should think herself lucky!
i'm a childminder working approx 40 hours a week and would never get anything like that from anyone - i'm lucky if i get a card - i think i might got back to nannying once both my ds are at full time school

We've done the homemade cards for her birthday which is in 2 days. But just getting gift card for birthdays honestly don't know what she likes (she doesn't give much away). I just wanted to make sure she feels appreciated cos we've emigrated ( not in UK) and 2 full time jobs, 4 small kids and no family within 12,000 miles she holds our family together

That sounds like a great gift, but also, if you haven't said it already to her, let her know what you said in your last sentence as there is something so special about being told how much you mean to someone.

You sound lovely lolly sticks

And def write that last sentence in her card

That will result in her bottom lip wobbling as mine did when my lovely Mb of prem twins gave me a pressie yesterday saying that her boys saved their pocket money at 20 weeks old :) to get aunty blondes a pressie

I really didn't expect one as was only there 8 weeks on a temp position to get babies into a routine

Awwwww Blondes!! That made my bottom lip wobble a bit, damn you!

What a pair of hardworking little cuties those DT are

But yes, I agree. That last sentence will mean more than anything. I recently left a three year position and the Father sent me an email as he hadn't realised that the last time he saw me was the last time he would see me (parents are separated) and one of the lines that reduced me to a sobbing mess was - "you were a great find and A loved you very much" wobble

she holds our family together

Tell her - anything else is really the icing on the cake

Does she live-in?

Not sure what the cultural setting is, but in a UK employer-employee relationship it is not appropriate to call this a "tip": a tip is a sum of money paid to a someone who is not your employee.

It is appropriate to call a sum paid to your own nanny a "bonus".

MrAnchovy - are you in Compliance?. I'm British in NZ.

Much embarrassment - she bought DH and I a bottle, some truffles she made and really posh cinema tickets! . I honestly didn't expect that. She said the voucher I bought her for her birthday was her favourite store (relief) and smiled when she opened the money card.

MrAnchovy - are you in Compliance?

Near enough

I'm in Marketing

Wow.. The family i work for on my birthday didnt get anything and for christmas a cheap box of chocolates. There not poor either

We have a home help, we always pay her for the holidays in full, as I a teacher that is 13 weeks paid a year. So she gets her two weeks pay in advance and we have paid for her to go away to Paris for a weekend over new year.