Christmas gift for nursery teachers.

[Nicae]

DD1 started at a lovely nursery in September, she's a shy girl and they have done everything possible to help her settle in and develop her confidence. I'd like to get them a Christmas gift as a thank you but other than chocolate or biscuits, which I guess they're inundated with at this time of year, I haven't got any ideas. There are about 6 staff ( I'm not sure of exact numbers on the 2 mornings she goes) and I can't afford to spend a fortune but do want them to know how much I appreciate the work they do. So, any suggestions?

I’ve literally just logged in to post the exact same thing! My little boy has quite a few members of staff across the 2 days he is in so individual gifts aren’t possible. I expect the norm is sweets etc but I wanted something a bit more special. Considered biscuiteers but seems expensive for what it is!

I have given mini bottles of prosecco and a small chocolate bar before, also given little personalised Christmas decorations

We bake a huge batch of really nice cookies every year and put in a Christmassy tin for the staff room. We always get the empty tin back the same day so I think they go down well!
Disclaimer: I'm not some master baker, I just follow a Nigella recipe!

Nice coffee and tea, many places do.special Christmas blends?

Last year I made a hamper for the staff room. Tea bags (m&s) coffee, nice biscuits, sachets of latte etc

I do a bottle of prosecco and a little chocolate treat your talking about £6 all in, i think its worth it shows they are appreciated. They only earn minimum wages in most places.

Not everybody does alcohol. I get given some quite often. I'm thankful of course, but have to regift it.

Would love to know the recipe @notpennysboat

You’re right Goldenbug, but most people would enjoy a glass at Christmas. I am a teacher and I would actually prefer no presents at xmas - maybe a charity gift if people are really eager to buy something. Its not fair on parents. There is only so many candles and pieces of jewelry you can have.

This year I am giving mini bottles of Prosecco, last year I gave personalised Christmas decorations.
One of the staff is heavily pregnant so she is getting an additional gift for the baby.

I will get DS to scribble draw a card as well and I will write a note thanking them for all of their hard work as they are all fantastic.

When I had younger DCs we used to plant a hyacinth in a pot which DC can either decorate or not. Something personal the children can be involved in doing and fairly neutral / can just be put outside in future years.

My DD is an apprentice in a nursery and still lives at home.
She would appreciate anything as it is the thought that counts, but in particular a lush bath bomb, chocolates/sweets. (She doesn't drink alcohol or coffee.)

I'm assuming there is likely to be some pooling / swapping of some things. I'm also assuming that many will only buy for the key worker, DD hasn't any assigned children yet and works very hard for her

I was taking to OH about this the other day. I'm sure they get lots of boxes of chocolate and biscuits..... so to add to that I was going to buy a box or 2 of Krispe Kremes - probably Christmas themed ones. DS has 1 key worker.... but everyone at the Nursery knows his name, his pet peeves and all seem to show him so much love.

I'll probably drop them off a little earlier than the week before Christmas too. I'm sure they get inundated with sweet treats in the last few days before the break.

I do like the idea of home baked cookies too :)

I was going to ask the same thing! Does everyone normaly buy a gift just for the key person or for all the staff? DS has one key person but there are a few that he seems to have bonded with really well so im not sure whats best..... x

@elliej83 I thought it was Nigella but it's actually Hummingbird Bakery - here's the recipe...
thethreadaffect.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/recipe-hummingbird-bakery-peanut-butter-cookies/

I’ve got the two key workers (he moved room recently) and the other member of staff he is so attached to £10 gift vouchers for our local shopping mall. They will be put inside a homemade card then they can put them towards whatever they want.

My ds is looked after by a lot of different staff during the week. I buy his key worker a bday present but for Xmas I've got a hamper and filled it with lots of little bits for the staff to share between themselves. All from asda - a selection of tubes of chocolates for £1 each, a couple of mini bottles of wine, the little make up and smelly gifi6ts which were a few quid each and also 3 for 2. It cost me a total of £15 but there is a lot in there and quite a variety :)

We get so many chocs/biscuits every Christmas and we appreciate the thought and a wee treat with a cup of tea. But honestly, the ones that stand out are the personal ones. A sweet card with a kiddo's drawing, a handmade decoration or homebakes. Biscuits baked and iced with love with go down just as well as(if not better than) a fancy box.
Other than that, a nice handcream to fight against the 100 times a day we wash our hands?
Have they had a staff night out yet? Some of our parents put a bit of money in the kitty to help buy drinks, which is so lovely, although a little strange when my boss hands me a drink and tells me it's from a 3 year old girl and her parents.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure the staff will really appreciate the thought and effort.

I'm having the same dilemma. Thinking a bottle of amaretto for the girls' Christmas party?

In my nursery we are good for chocolates and biscuits until July.

What I really like is a nice personalised message in a card. I keep them all. On rough days I can remind myself why it's all worth it!