Leaving gift for wonderful childminder, inspiration please!

[SnoopySnoopyDoggDogg]

We are relocating in a month and have to give our fabulous childminder notice. She's had dd1 since 10 months old and dd2 since 7 months. She's had a hugely difficult past year including the death of her husband and a number of other close family members, but has always remained professional and caring to the children.

I really want to get her something special before we leave, she doesn't like chocolate and doesn't drink alcohol so champagne and chocs are out. The dds will make her a card and I will of course provide her with a glowing reference but would really appreciate ideas for a good thank you gift too as everything I come up with just seems inadequate.

If you can afford it spa vouchers would be lovely otherwise I'm sure letters from your DC, reference & some flowers would be much appreciated.

what a lovely idea how about payment for a full spa treatment including one if you're really flush ?

aah! someone beat me to it

does she have any hobbies ? this might yield more ideas on what to get.

I got my lovely cm a Willow Tree figurine of a little boy who looked like dgs - it had a lovely poem with it too.

I was given a really nice necklace by mindees who left recently. They wrote me a wee card saying that they hoped every time I wore it I'd think of them.

When I left Childminding, one of the Families I had looked after for 4 years had One of these done, but as a What is a CHildminder and made up there own words. I cried.

I wish I could afford to send her for a spa day, but I do know her usual hair & beauty therapist I could get her a facial voucher there I hadn't thought of that!

Love the idea of a small piece of jewellery to remember the DDs by, and that frame is very touching too.

Thank you for some really helpful ideas :)

How about a shrub or small tree for the garden? Growing as the children will?