Christmas Day and carers

[FredaFox]

This is my first day with carers at my mums
What's the protocol for the day? I feel sad they aren't with their families and very grateful to them for working
Do I buy gifts? Do I provide food?
What's the done thing?
She has 6-8 carers on rotation so no idea who we will get

This is so difficult for you. Hope whoever supplies the carers can continue to do so over the bank holidays.

Are they there all day, or for short visits?

I wouldn't get gifts, as it's only some of the carer team.

If they are there for the full day I'd include them in meals. If more along the half-hour pop-in model I'd have a plate of mince pies or Christmassy biscuits on offer.

I bought some small boxes of chocolates and biscuits and gave them out to whomever came on the day.

They come 4 times a day. It will be the same 2 girls all day
I just feel guilty they are working but also extremely grateful
Money is tight but I want to do the right thing.
I thought I'd get chocolates and biscuits out for them to help themselves, drinks too

It's our first Christmas in this new world so keen to hear what others do

Thanks for replying!!

As someone who has been a carer and worked on Christmas Day I can tell you it’s really hard and can feel quite emotional being at “work” on Christmas Day. I think a present would be a lovely idea and maybe offer a plate of food. Many carers feel massively under appreciated and are paid awful wages so it’s lovely that you’re so considerate towards them 💖

my mum has carers & I’m going to give the 4 main ones £10 each & leave big bowls of chocolate for them to help themselves to.

As a carer who will be working christmas day and boxing day, I can say we don't expect anything. So if you can't afford to do something, please don't feel like you have to. If you want to do a little something, a simple note that reads help yourself to a hot drink and a mince pie/biscuit would be appreciated more that you probably realise.
Working over christmas, there is usually no where open for us to get a hot drink or something to eat, so a simple as it sounds, offering a hot drink and a small nibble will put a smile on any carers face, particularly if they are working a long shift. Thank you for thinking of your mums carers and merry Christmas 🥰

How lovely. I have bought my dad’s Carers some fizz and biscuits. He has the same two. But I think any gesture such as mince pies and a drink would be appreciated. It’s an under appreciated job.

Thank you for your advice
There will be plenty of food and drinks available for them
Maybe Ill get a little token gift for a few of them

DM has carer's 4 x day. DF always has mince pies, chocolates, biscuits, the offer of a hot drink available every time they come plus DF always buys them wine/chocs/vouchers to say thank you. They often leave with a food parcel too 😄
They are wonderful people and we are ever grateful for what they do for my DM. Equally I feel so sorry for them having to work.