Christmas present for my Childminder?

[MrsVW]

I have a lovely childminder and was thinking about giving her a present or vouchers for Christmas.

She has been looking after DS since August and he is my first child, so I don't even know what people give - presents, cards or a box of chocolates?

I used to be a childminder and I got given an orchid for xmas 3yrs ago and it still flowers! I think of the little one I looked after when I water it. I think plants are always a safe bet!

i have been given chocolates, wine, flowers, vouchers to beauty salon (was that a hint i wondered??) - and it is really appreciated. don't go overboard because it is not necessary.

I love my families dearly and I know that they appreciate me. I would really just prefer a well chosen card with a few words of appreciation about how happy their children are etc, rather than all the boxes of chocolates I get.

i don't want to sound ungrateful, but I have lots of boxes and Easter eggs that I have never eaten, I only like a particular type of chocolate, so I do pass them on. Some of my established clients do know what I prefer and do go out of their way to get me some, which, as I know is quite difficult really means a lot.

I have received spa vouchers which were fantastic and have been well received, but in all honesty, I don't expect anything, after all I am doing a job, that I am well paid for and enjoy.

I am useless with plants!

Can i ask a genuine question?

Why is that people give expensive gifts plus cash to nannies and a box of chocs to childminders? Is is because cm's are SE? But still they look after your dc's, don't they?

I am not CM btw, just curious

Sometimes I get nothing, sometimes smelly bath stuff (maybe a hint), sometimes wine, or chocs. I don't expect anything, but it is really lovely to be appreciated. I am just as happy if my DD is remembered instead of me, because she does give up a lot for my childminding.

Because people with nannies are rich, innit.

I bought DS's teacher and assistant Jo Malone body cream for one and shower gel for the other. they were not expensive (about £15 each for 100ml) but looked really nice in their packages.

Alibubbles I wish you'd been on the thread I started about this yesterday.

I was told if I wanted my c/m to understand that I appreciate her I have to buy her an expensive bottle of perfume.

Some really good hand cream would go down well with me this year, my hands are shot to bits with all the handwashing as all are in nappies and have colds and taps for noses atm.

laquitar, no idea why, have to admit that although I get highly at being gifts anyway and would be even more so with a big gift/cash - that it does rankle somewhat, probably we are seen as the lowest of the childcare ranking system

Ghouls, that was one persons opinion, not the majority

I am going to give my cm a "home made" Christmas cracker made my my dd who is 2. (just the inside of a kitchen roll with a couple of treats such as posh mini handcream, nice bar of chocolate etc). Then "finish" the cracker with wrapping paper, twisting the ends.

I will also get her a Boots voucher, probably £10-£15 so she can treat herself.

I know that she will appreciate the cracker more than the voucher, but I want to acknowledge how much she means to us.

I know avada, just would have been good to have some back up

Ghouls, that's and I keep all the cards I get, and sometime read through them, they make me smile!