if you were a brownie/rainbow leader what would you like?

[3duracellbunnies]

Trying to think what would be a nice gift to show our appeciation for their hard work. Going to get girls to make a christmas decoraation for them both, but wondering if any other good ideas which they always need. Not really practical with 3yr old to volunteer much (though I do carry bags when I can) and they seem ok for helpers. Would like to give something they will like.

what about donating something to the unit?
Craft things?
Packs of paper?
Stationery?

My friend is a leader and am sure she would appreciate things being used for the unit. Alternatively, I would give a gift voucher for nice flowers - to get when she wanted them in her house.

I wondered about things for the unit - I read about having Olivia doll (rainbows) and sending it on sleepovers then each child gets a badge when she has been to their house, but thought that might step on her toes. Maybe a hobbycraft voucher would go down well.

I'm a Scouter rather than a Guider, but I hope you don't mind me chipping in, as I guess it's the same idea ?

Honestly, I've hardly ever had a physical present, but what's been lovely, and makes all the difference to you wanting to carry on, is when people just come and say "Thank You".
I particularly love it when a parent tells me how much they love coming, or that they've really enjoyed a camp or whatever.
It's really nice when people just put away the chairs or tables or whatever at the end of a meeting, rather than all walking away and leaving you to do that too - or - the best ones are offers to just do a little bit of the job..... maybe collect the subs and do that part of the books, or maybe either make up some squash at the start of the evening or come up 10mins before the end, and do the washing up. We know everyone can't commit to being leaders, but those little jobs all add up, so if parents offer to help out with bits like that, it's far better than any actual gift although wine is nice.

Wine.

A couple of my brownies last year bought me chocs, which was lovely.

I have to say that I wouldn't particularly appreciate anything for the unit, if you want it to be a personal thank you of a Christmassy note.

But do offer to help, especially at a sleepover/camp, and especially if you are willing to take on the role of 'camp cook' for the weekend.

Stuff for the unit is always well received, but I don't think it says 'thank you', particularly.

Just saying thank you is enough. I quite often have mums stopping me in the grocery store and giving me a hug and saying thank you, even for girls that have now left the unit and moved on.

If its a thank you for the leader themselves, what about a voucher for a facial, manicure etc. give them a chance for a bit of pampering after the many many weeks or organising lovely things for the dc!

I do help a bit with Rainbows at the begining carrying bags etc, however I have to do another job at the hall which has to be done in the 15 min before Rainbows, I do tend to act as a general sounding board then which hopefully is useful.

With the mini duracell bunnie running around it is hard to do much physical help, though biggest duracell bunnie is desperate to become a rainbow leader and she does help marshal the early arrivers. Due to a complex lift arrangement I'm not back until Brownies are chucked out and Guides waft in, and they seem to do any washing up - I'm guessing for badges, though maybe by that stage mine will do it automatically too!

I will look into helping at the holiday, though dh will no doubt moan about wanting us all to do something together, which is why he has only grudingly agreed to let dd go anyway. I guess that is why I wanted to give them something physical. Wine is easy, maybe wine + truffles. Will see if any other parents fancy clubbing together for a voucher for rainbows leader, I don't know the brownie parents so well. Thanks for your advice!

I'm a brownie Guider, and we like wine and chocolate! Presents the Guiders can share are best.
Stuff for the unit is always appreciated, as are offers if help (either if you have a particular skill or interest, or just general offers to be an extra pair of hands), but I wouldn't really think of that as a personal thank you.
However, what we really like best is just a verbal Thankyou from parents. We correspond with parents via email and Facebook at our unit, and it makes us feel like everything we do is worthwhile when someone posts a Thankyou about a specific activity.
Never say no to chocolate or wine though!

Yes, wine, chocolate and/or a Christmas card with a short but sincere message of thanks.

I appreciate everything the Brownies Leaders and the Scouts do. I think they are fantastic and very undervalued, giving up all that free time. I know my friend works hard all week and then is busy crafting etc with Brownies.

Chocs and wine will be on the list this year!

Any gesture of thanks at all would be very welcome indeed!

An offer to help would be my wish. Can you offer a craft, do anything towards any badge, bake a cake for a sale, help with the accounts (my pet hate!)?

Failing that - chocolate or wine please! I was once given a lovely hyacinth in a pot that the Brownie had decorated and planted herself. I still have the pot :-)