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Christmas

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Original poster

Can I give my cleaner a velvetiser?

201 replies

Oopsoopsoops · 05/12/2021 08:52

I’m guilty of overthinking this…

Our cleaner is amazing, reliable and has helped out with a tough year whilst I’ve had multiple operations. She has gone above and beyond, think things like pet sitting (paid) and more.

Her and her children love our hotel chocolat velvetiser and I would love to get them one for Christmas to show my/our appreciation but I’m not sure if it’s an OTT gift. I did consider getting a velvetiser dupe but I’m struggling to find the Aldi or Asda ones online (and I can’t go out to the shops because of my most recent surgery).

I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable with an ‘extravagant’ gift.

Am I overthinking this? It will bring so much joy to her and her children. I would of course give some hot chocolates too

OP posts:
IamGusFring · 05/12/2021 09:59

Another one for cash and a small gift and a note .

Puffinhead · 05/12/2021 10:03

@OneEpisode

I would stick to cash. I admire other people’s things without wanting it myself, and I’d love that my kids were given an occasional nice hot choc, but I wouldn’t want them to have hot choc all the time at home.
I agree with this.
twocandlelady · 05/12/2021 10:04

Why are people assuming the cleaner is poor? Cleaners make decent money round here!

Igmum · 05/12/2021 10:04

It's a lovely idea - but if it needs expensive pods or something too please get lots of those as well. You don't want to gift her something she can't afford to use (sorry if this is a stupid comment, I don't know how velvetisers work)

Whatwouldscullydo · 05/12/2021 10:08

Dont get her the dupe. Nothing worse than getting a version of what you want and it not being as good but it working well enough to not he able to justify forking out for the one you really wanted.

Personally I think these sound like a bit of a white elephant gift.

Presents requiring having to keep making sure you have all the right stuff before u can use them aren't really presents.

Just give her a tip.

GreenLunchBox · 05/12/2021 10:08

@gogohm

I would give her cash - enough for the velvetiser but let her choose.
Same! I love hot chocolate but wouldn't buy myself one of these. I'd prefer the cash
MeredithGreyishblue · 05/12/2021 10:12

I was all for it until the last bit about bringing the children joy! It's hot chocolate. Unless they're locked under the stairs and fed dry crusts usually, that's a massively condescending thing to think!

MrsDThomas · 05/12/2021 10:14

I ve had to google it, never heard of one. But it that price id prefer the cash if you were to give me something worth that then decide myself what to buy. She may like y but doesn’t want one herself.

I live a lot if things my friend has but that doesn’t mean i want them.

WoodyGd · 05/12/2021 10:16

I’m going to say DONT give the cash and just buy the velvetiser

I was a cleaner and on the breadline for years. When you have money you have to spend it on necessities really; she won’t choose to treat herself. But if you buy her the velvetiser she can either keep it for herself or sell it if she has to. If you give her the money she’ll do what I always did which was spend it on something you “should” instead of something nice

OhamIreally · 05/12/2021 10:20

@WoodyGd

I’m going to say DONT give the cash and just buy the velvetiser

I was a cleaner and on the breadline for years. When you have money you have to spend it on necessities really; she won’t choose to treat herself. But if you buy her the velvetiser she can either keep it for herself or sell it if she has to. If you give her the money she’ll do what I always did which was spend it on something you “should” instead of something nice

This is also true.
XiCi · 05/12/2021 10:20

A thoughtful gift that you know someone will love is always going to be better than cash

Twoweekcruise · 05/12/2021 10:23

I do think it’s a lovely idea and shows how much you appreciate your cleaner.
My sister is a cleaner, she would much prefer the money. I would be the same. Most of these gadgets are only used occasionally. With an extra Christmas bonus she can chose exactly what she wants.
And just how much joy can a hot chocolate maker give kids? Mine would bore of it within a week.

Flamingolingo · 05/12/2021 10:23

Can you buy from somewhere like John Lewis with a gift receipt and be quite definite that you thought she might like one but if she wants to exchange it that’s ok too?

fournonblondes · 05/12/2021 10:25

I would give her cash of the equivalent of the velvetizer. They will decide if to buy or not. Do not feel guilty I think she most Ethan deserve the gift and you will feel better helping her.

1AngelicFruitCake · 05/12/2021 10:26

I think give her the money and tell her your idea. She might not have the money to keep buying the sachets whatever it is they use. She might be thinking ‘I could have used money for x’

BarbaraofSeville · 05/12/2021 10:29

@twocandlelady

Why are people assuming the cleaner is poor? Cleaners make decent money round here!
Plus she could be doing the job because it fits round her family and DH work, she enjoys it, or any other reason.

She's not necessarily struggling on a bit of part time cleaning money so a velvetiser wouldn't be a nice present but a gateway that would trap her into a HC sachet habit that she can't afford.

madamsapple · 05/12/2021 10:30

@starfishmummy

I'm not sure. There's a difference between her loving a treat of a hot choc from one at yours and actually wanting her own velvetiser.
This.

Give her vouchers.

StripeyDeckchair · 05/12/2021 10:31

Honestly, give the cash so they can decide what to spend it on.

If everyone they clean for gives cash then it will make a difference to their Christmas. Gifts might be unwanted (not everyone drinks, lies in the bath to relax, eats chocolate) or duplicated by others yet clean for.

comfortablyfrumpy · 05/12/2021 10:34

What a lovely thought.
I would go black.

pastypirate · 05/12/2021 10:36

Get the one that matches her kitchen. It's a perfect incredibly thoughtful and nurturing gift. Op you are a great person and sounds like your cleaner is too.

ImustLearn2Cook · 05/12/2021 10:40

I think it is a lovely gift. I didn’t know what it was until I googled it. I’m from Australia and only the charcoal and white is available from Amazon (the only place it is available here). If the grey one is the same as the charcoal one I saw online that would suit how you described her kitchen.

Hope you recover well from your surgery and your cleaning lady sounds lovely. I think she’ll love it Smile

santasmuma · 05/12/2021 10:45

It's a lovely gift and you say she is dear I f as she has been so good this year. My only thought would be what about next year? Are you going to be back asking what to do because you gave an expensive gift last year but need/want to drop back to a more realistic level?

Babyvenusplant · 05/12/2021 10:48

Are you sure she doesn't have one already?

santasmuma · 05/12/2021 10:49

*worth it

Toddlerteaplease · 05/12/2021 10:51

If she's gone out of her way. Give her one abs tell her how much you appreciated her help this year. Don't get a cheaper one though.