CM Club; not sure how to handle not being able to afrord leaving gift....

[Numberfour]

money matters are horrendous at the moment. my gorgeous, lovely, sweetest little mindee turns 2 this month and leaves me at the end of the month.

i absolutely cannot afford a birthday or leaving present! any suggestions on how to handle this? i am certain mum does not expect it but i have always done christmas and birthday presents.

and no, in case you were wondering.... cannot even do a £5 present.

afford, of course...............

How about doing a little birthday/ leaving tea?

Take a few pics and email them to mum and dad they will be thrilled and 2 yr old won't know she's even meant to have presents.

The tea and photo idea is a really god one. I'd be really touched by a card or letter saying how much you've enjoyed looking after her too.

Thanks, Skanky! brilliant idea about birthday tea! and i could print a few photos for mum. also can put the zillions of photos i have of him on cd for her. i wanted to order a photo book but that's a bit out of my league at the moment,

thanks for the suggestions!

Maybe make some cakes with the little one or a big cake that she can take home with her.

tattycoram, i do like the idea of the card, too.

thanks!

Could make a batch of playdough for child to take home).

Could make a card using a photo you've taken of her, or scan a drawing she's done? If you have other mindees, could get them all to sign/draw on a goodbye card or make one together.

that's a great idea too, ayla. the little one loves playdough.
and he loves cake.

MN always comes up with the goods.

Make a mini scrapbook of his highlights with you. You mention that you could print a few photos.

how about:

tub of homemade sparkly playdough and homemade cakes for birthday

and

scrap book of photos with card about how much i loved having him (getting a lump in my throat now just thinking about him leaving!) and a CD of all his other photos for mum and dad to print out as they wish

oh fabulous ideas

yes, aren't they just, frannyandzooey! i was so down in the dumps when i posted this and now i am really excited about what i can do. will have to spend a few pennies but i can manage that.... just!

thanks, everyone!!

That sounds really lovely. My two year old would be thrilled with sparkly playdough and I love the scrapbook idea.

i expect you know this already but playdough is so nice with a scent in eg vanilla or orange flavouring, or cocoa powder if you have any

NO.4 my leaving pressies are always a scrap book, the mindees love them.

(In fact oldest mindee 7, who I have had since she was 1, is insisting I do her one, as sh reckons she is never leaving! so will never get one )

I did homemade sparkly playdoh for my toddlers for Christmas to go with the sets I'd bought and you know what, I really enjoyed making that batch (cut into christmas tree shapes and put in little boxes once in airtight bags).

All those ideas are fab, you'll be fine

what about doing a salt doe mixture cut around his hand and then let him paint it and put a hole through it before cooking it so u can add ribbon also put the date he started or left or just a message or somthing or if u add a boiled sweet in the middle whilst cooking its like a srained glass window xx

last time make stuffs "tokens" to spend last few times as they wish so they can redeem an hour in the park and other fun stuffs

or a mobile from a coathanger with attachments of photos together hand prints and a drawing of cakes or somesuch and a mini bon voyage card attached

some glitter in a drawstring bag that you can both say blow into and you leave it on the window sill to be granted later wishes or sometjhing like that????/

typing awful bashy baby feeding

if you need a bag I'll send you an organza pouch free
mail me at [email protected]

Thanks, Sparkling! the little boy is only 2years (and one day!) so tokens and wishing pouch would not be fully appreciated. But what a great idea for older children.

I managed to get a few pennies together and got him a colouring in book and felt tips.

Now for the leaving present for next Thursday - at him leaving1

awww he'll just appreciate having a nice CM I'm sure

the scrap book is a lovely idea too.

maybe sne d asuprise something later if life picks up !