Gift idea for carer

[Monkey1z]

My parent’s carer is a star. She’s been coming for several years and as well as being an all round nice person, she goes the extra mile to help. We always buy a gift (eg tower of treats from Costco, M&S voucher) but I am out of ideas this year. I want to spend £20-30. Don’t want to get her in trouble with her agency or have to declare it. Any feedback on what has worked well for you or, if you are a carer, what you would appreciate?

I would be interested too - new to carers this year.

Do you have any idea of her likes and dislikes?

Otherwise I'll suggest if you buy A Thing (rather than a consumable), get a gift receipt so she can swop it for something else easily if she doesn't like it.

I'm doing a Costa giftcard (DMs companion always shows up with one!) and a big box of her fave shortbread this year. Looking forward to seeing other suggestions on here.

I'd say the M&S voucher would be well received. Presuming she expressed that she likes that store? I'd always say, if it's not broke, don't fix it.
So just give that or the Costco thing again. Or ask her if there's an online store she likes? Just subtly, without mentioning gifts?
As you say, don't spend too much as it could be embarrassing for her, or she could get in trouble? I'd hope the agency allows people to gift carers at their own discretion at Xmas.

Yes, M&S are a good choice. Huge store nearby and if no clothes appeal, there’s always the food. Might do that!

Carer here.

A really nice penin black ink (check noted to clarify which colour they use but usually must be black) and a gift card is a safe and useful gift!

My DM's carers do everything online!

Hand cream, a really good one. I used to care for children with complex healthcare needs and was forever washing my hands between tasks so frequently had sore hands especially in winter.

@Monkey1z yeah, the food is the one. Round Xmas she can get some nice bits for herself or family meals. Sounds perfect. X

I appreciated gift vouchers, Costa, M&S, even Greggs, hand cream like a PP said, not food. TBH vouchers are the best choice.

I don't 'do' hand cream, any suggestions as to brands?

The hemp hand cream from The Bodyshop or L'occitane's hand creams maybe?

I don't 'do' hand cream, any suggestions as to brands?

No frills but good - Aveeno (the blue one) or either of the Neutrogena concentrated ones.

I went for the voucher in the end!

Post Christmas, it would be lovely hear of any great gifts carers received and what people gave please 🙏

We made up some hampers for my MiL's carers. Not the random crap you get in the ones that you can buy ready made where the contents are put away on a high shelf to be discovered 3 years later out of date! ( think ginger and onion chutney, little cookies that break your teeth, marmite and raspberry conserve, green tea and mint loose leaf tea etc! ) but lots of stuff we knew they would like. Chocolate santas/ Lindt reindeers, packets of jelly babies and Haribos, little bottles of wine, face masks, nice cooking oils, strawberry jam, hand cream etc. They were absolutely delighted!

Gosh. My mum had carers in the US and the form is you tip them about a week's wages.

Thanks for sharing @KnottyKnitting 🙏

@mondaytosunday as power of attorney I’m not sure the local authority would look kindly on me having spent that much (in the UK there may come a future point when we have to ask the council for funding). Maybe when we started on our journey with carers but we have progressed to much higher cost (through £40 a day to over £100 a day to over £1k a week).

I got our carer a nice hand cream and a little handwritten card from mum — she was really touched. Something personal like that can mean a lot.

I got our carer a digital picture frame last Christmas and loaded it with photos of the kids and pets. She loved it and said it made her feel more connected to the family. It’s easy to update too, so I send new pictures every few weeks. She keeps it in the living room and always comments on how much she enjoys seeing everyone's faces pop up during the day.