Christmas present for five nursery practitioners (including a Muslim)

[AnonEvent]

This is all a bit new to me, DD has recently started nursery and I hoped you guys will have good insight into what is/isn't a good present for her practitioners to say thank you for all of their hard work and kindness.

Ideally, I'd like to give everyone variations on the same thing.

I was thinking, a note to say thank you (one each, or one between them?), and:

1. Nice Christmas socks (non-Christmas for the Muslim lady), or

1. An un-Christmassy, but wintry, bauble thing (like this: www.skandium.com/christmas-decoration-2017/bullfinch), or

3. A small candle (like this: www.thewhitecompany.com/Highland-Escape-Votive-Candle/p/HEDVT?swatch=No+Colour) but a bit risky as everyone has different taste when it comes to scent

I don't want to fill their houses with tat, or make too much of a grand gesture that might embarrass them, equally I don't want to look mean (we live in a posh area, I'm sure some people will really push the boat out), I just want to give them a little token of our appreciation.

Any thoughts would be welcomed. And sorry if this gets asked every second week!

Boo - that URL for the bauble didn't work - despite being correct, here's a picture. They're much nicer in real life.

A heartfelt note or card is definitely the most appreciated part of any presents I get. If you must buy a present I've had vouchers for Sainsbury's, Next and Boots recently which have all been appreciated and well used but I think as there are 5 people to buy for a small token gift of no more than £5 per person would be more usual, even more common would be a box of biscuits or chocolates to share.

Don't try and keep up with appearances of other parents, just be generally supportive and friendly if you want to show that you appreciate them!

I second biscuits, chocolate and cards. Maybe a tiny bottle of bubble bath if that's what they're into?

I always appreciate cards made by the children,
Chocolate or biscuits are lovely, however I’m type 2diabetic so shouldn’t be eating them, my DH and kids have them. 🙁

A pot plant is nice or a plant to put in the garden is good for me.

Chocolates are always appreciated! Please make sure to check on the label that they do not contain any alcohol, and are Vegetarian friendly for the Muslim lady. I say this, as some chocolate selections contain Turkish delight/jelly filled chocolates, and these are often made with pork gelatine, which like alcohol is haram.

Other than this, biscuits or a beautiful candle would be very well received. I would stick to a floral or linen scent - but nothing to ‘in your face.’ Probably something jasmine, peony or neroli based. I’d avoid rose or lavender, as they seem to be a little ‘marmite,’ and I’d also avoid vanilla like the plague - I detest it, but some adore it, so we’re back to ‘marmiteland!’

I forgot to say, the White Company candle looks gorgeous. It mentions though that it contains the scent of whisky. I’m sure it smells beautiful, but you may wish to buy another scent for the Muslim lady if you are worried that you may offend her. It may smell a bit too much of alcohol for her. My SIL is Muslim, and hates one of my room sprays, as one of the main aromas is brandy, and she finds it really overpowering and said it smells of alcohol (before I’d told her the ingredients!). It might just be her, she is a fussy cow! I don’t use it when she visits anymore. Also, it’ll mention ‘whisky’ as one of the fragrance notes on the candle. There is a high chance that she won’t bat an eyelid, and just be appreciative of her gift, but if you have any doubts, then it’s best to get her a different scent.

Argeles, where did you find the information about Turkish delight containing gelatine? It’s sold as vegan.

I do a hamper of biscuits, Xmas chocolate and a box of tea bags/jar of coffee, throw some cellophane and Xmas ribbon round it and get the children to write a 'thank you everyone' card.

It seems that chocolate-coated Turkish Delight isn’t vegan but the nice naked kind is. In case anyone’s interested.

Tesco have robot and dinosaur socks in their women's range at the minute. Kids love mine when they notice them if you wanted something different from Christmas socks

I did socks and the lindt Christmas set for playgroup teachers last year. Was thinking of doing the same this year.

Depending on budget, Lush gifts are always well loved - one of my best loved gifts was a bath bomb selected by a child because it was my favourite colour!

Thanks all. Super helpful, and good point about the scent of whisky in the White Co. candle Argeles I almost certainly would have remembered to check for alcohol or pork/shellfish products in food, but I could easily have missed the candle.

I'll take a look around Lush too.

I just really want them to know how appreciated they are, and not full their homes with unwanted toot so consumables may be best.

Thanks again.