what you getting your au pair for Christmas?

[nvj]

just wondering really... need some inspiration!

likewise - especially as a bloke I am obviously clueless in this area

cash - probably 80 euros.

maybe get the children to choose something (that you can afford) that think the au-pair would like.

maybe a hamper of nice goodies from their home country (internet should help witht that one!!)

I am getting her a gift pack of hair products and a soft squashy dressing gown as she spends her time when not working lying on her bed watching TV or washing her hair.

aren't most au pairs going home for Christmas??

I have got her two books (in English but novels that I think she will like) and the Love Actually DVD. I am also sending her home with a v small hamper which contains a dundee cake, some tea, some marzipan fruits and some homemade jam. I will also do for her (and my DS) a St Nick boot on the 6th December which has got a funky pen, a flannel and lots of sweets in it - I do this as it's a tradition from her home country which is nice to include in to our family.

Hi I am a childminder so hopefuly my view will help you!
I really love to get a homemade card from my kiddies....if you can get them to sit still long enough!

I would say a voucher is always the best option for me personally, with a nice little note of appreciation for the year of hard work, care and love! Don't under estimate how nice it is to hear that... you get an appraisal at work each year so you'll know how nice it is to hear those words of thanks.

I love getting vouchers, I know they may seem inpersonal, but the luxury of going to the shops and choosing a little treat just for me is so lovely. My favourites are any book token, Next, Gap but you know your childcarer best to make the choice.
Best of luck, hope she likes whatever you choose

I have just bought mine a hat and gloves set, some nice toiletries and a necklace earrings set. She is a lovely girl but she is turkish so doesn't celebrate xmas and neither do we but it seems a bit mean not to get her anything

Mine's staying for Christmas and from quite a hard up single parent household, with few luxuries, so we thought we'd spoil her a bit in a nice way. She's getting a stocking with some smallish toiletries, chocolate, pen set for her studies, things like that. So far for main presents she's getting some fleecy slippers she looked at while we were out shopping, and a gold evening scarf in a gold box fron the boys. We might get her a little piece of jewellery as well.

Mine's staying for Christmas & LB has just asked me what I'm getting her 4 Christmas and I don't know! So, thank you for the gift voucher recommendation. AP is arty & thoughtful and made me a lovely birthday present, so I'll consider myself very lacking in originality, but at least I know which shops she likes!