Gifts for Caregivers on Christmas/New Years

I get her a $30 giftcard to either Applebee's or Kohl's. Also a car thanking her for her hard work and a little container full of homemade treats.

This is a response from a long time daycare provider. I can tell you from experience that the most appreciated gifts are those that show the parents have put some thought into them, and that they have taken the time to learn something about the teacher.
Some of my favorites over the years... a beatiful bracelet.. I don't believe it was expensive at all.. that had children around it. I wore it constantly for years until it finally broke and was not repairable. Now I have it put away as a memory item.
One family was involved in buying and selling unique items from south of the border. I have a wonderful serape lap blanket that I use daily, and an outdoor candle holder that sits at my front door for everyone who comes to see.
Several children made Christmas ornaments that were presented with a ziplock baggie of cookies their mothers had helped them make at home (homemade is the key with cookies, candies or other goodies... and it's much better if the teacher hears the child proudly telling how much fun they had helping make them).
If you are alert and know the kind of places your teacher likes to shop, a gift card is wonderful. But, for example, if someone gave me a gift card to Starbucks, it wouldn't be so great. I am simply not a fan of Starbucks. I know, I'm wierd, but that's just me. So be sure a gift card is one that the teacher would really appreciate.
Finally, I believe the top gift ever in my opinion was the year that several families got together and made up a wonderful homemade meal for lunch for all of the teachers at our center. They came bringing the food into our breakroom and left it there so that as each teacher went on lunch break we were able to enjoy a delicious meal without having to go out or bring our dry bagged lunch.

i have my daughter make them cards or xmas tree decorations. i cna't afford to buy them things since a huge portion of my paycheck goes to them already. i think it's really just the thought that counts, not the actual gift.

I know my daycare provider would not spend money on luxury items for herself so I usually purchase a gift card for her to a local spa so she can have a break from the everyday. Sometimes it's a fancy day spa and sometimes it's just the local inspa near us. Just so that she can get away by herself and relax for a bit. I also know that she usually has a puzzle going on her kitchen table so if I see an interesting puzzle I usually pick it up for her.

I know that my gift idea will be strange but what we have given is emergancy items for the caregiver to have. We got a small box and put change, foil blanket and bottled water and a energy bar , and flashlight into it for her car. We have given flashlights and lanterns that can be used when the power goes out. In this area of earthquakes and other things then to have er supplies only makes sence but we forget to do it for ourselves.

My boys' day care lady LOVED bath products, so I usually got her some nice stuff, since I knew she wouldn't spend the money on herself. A few years, when I knew money was really tight for her, I got her scrip for the local grocery store.

As a rule, though, I used to get things like movie or book store gift cards. Those always seem to go over very well. But, I will say, it's been nearly 10 years since I've been in this position.

Good luck!

I bought my son's teachers bath and body works. They love it. The other teachers I will give them cards.

Cash and a small gift

I spend 1 weeks worth of daycare between the three teachers

I've made/ordered personalized stationary before (monogrammed notecards, etc.). They're a really special, thoughtful gift, and something that most people don't buy themselves. Those kids of gifts are always nice. :)

Happy Gifting! :)
S.

Updated

I've made/ordered personalized stationary before (monogrammed notecards, etc.). They're a really special, thoughtful gift, and something that most people don't buy themselves. Those kids of gifts are always nice. :)

Happy Gifting! :)
S.

Home-made candied nuts; Nice box of cookies; Costco movie tickets, restaurant cards; Target gift card (but they charge $5 on top of face value); Whole Foods Gift cards...; there is a hierarchy of gift values, but everybody likes a gift as a token of appreciation!