Daycare Gift Ideas

If she ever mentions a place she likes to eat or a place she likes to go I would get her a gift certificate to there. Otherwise a financial bonus is always nice, especially in these tight times.

I did daycare for 5 years. Some of the best gifts were:

+ gift certificates for eating out

+ video tape rewinder

+ movie tickets

+ nice pajamas set (pants and top)

+ basket full of tastefully simple products

+ cash

+ massage certificate

As a person who works with kids I love getting gifts from all my kids. Having said that, I am inundated with lotions, sweets and ornaments for my tree. I finally had to get a bigger tree! I love them all, and there are many ways to be appreciated.

I have always appreciated when someone would give a donation in my name to my favorite charity, a visa gift card I could spend anywhere, home made bread, and the like.

One thing a parent asked years ago was if there was anything she could put money towards for when I work with the kids. Is there an item that she would find useful such as a swing, kid table, books etc. I remember buying an item with that money and I each time I used it, I thought of that family and it was a useful item I chose. Books are always a great investment, as everyone loves to read or be read to.

My daughter is in school and one mom always puts out an email asking for money towards a gift card. She suggests $5 or whatever you would like to contribute. She pools the money and buys a good size visa gift card or Borders gift card, as we know the teacher loves to shop there. Many of the parents contribute, but don't feel pressured or obligated. It also makes a larger gift card so the recipient can really get something of greater value. It takes minimal arranging and there is no need to exchange.

Good luck and have a wonderful holiday!

J.

B.,

I am a childcare provider and what I appreciate the most is a gift certificate to a restaurant or somewhere like Target/WalMart. But the best part of the gift is the note, telling me how much they appreciate who I am and what I mean to the children/family.

Merry Christmas!

C.

For something practical, maybe some yummy soap since I am sure she washes her hands a million times a day. Or a gift card to a restaurant she likes. Even just cookies and a card.

If may be a nice idea to give her something she can use for the daycare... Like a new toy or some new books. Not only would she love the gift but your daughter and the other children would get something to enjoy also.

My kids and I just made cinnamon ornaments. It was 1/2 cup cinnamon 1/3 cup apple sauce and 1 Tbls Tacky Glue.... I am sure Elmers would do just as well. Mix it all up and roll out the ball and use cookie cutters to get your shapes. We used a straw to make a hole for the string to hang them. They need to sit out for a few days ( I was told 2 and flip them over to dry all the way through ) to dry them or some one mentioned baking them to dry them out. This was my first time making them and they have yet to dry but they smell wonderful. We had a good time making them. They keep the scent for years. I added extra glue to make myself feel better because I get upset when mine have broken. You can decorate with glitter and what not.

Depending on how much you want to spend - get her a gift certificate for a night out, including a babysitter if she has children of her own. Having worked with children for a long time, I have received the gamut of holiday gifts. (People: please do not give your child's teachers "teacher" gifts - we get them from everyone and there is usually little use for them.) Or get her movie theater tickets or, my personal favorite for a hard-working day-care provider - a gift certificate to the spa. If you're doing food, I would not recommend candy - do something like fruit. It doesn't have to be extravagant - but the more useful it is and/or the more it says that you value her hard work and want her to enjoy herself and relax, the nicer it is.