5 Gift Ideas to Show Appreciation to Caregivers and Nannies
Nannies and caregivers are taking care of some of the most important people in our lives, whether it be our children or parents. When we get busy and caught up in the day-to-day, it can be easy to forget how a show of appreciation can go a long way. We should provide positive feedback and be generous and genuine with our praise every day. And as the holiday season approaches, it’s a great time to make an even more dedicated effort to recognize their contributions.
Here are some thoughtful ideas to show your appreciation. Several of these ideas also involve fun for your kids in their creation.
1. Create a small scrapbook or photo album with messages from your kids. This doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The scrapbook can be a handful of pages depending on how long your nanny has been working with you. If you have photos of the kids with their nanny (they can be recent or even from earlier years), be sure to include them too! Get your kids involved in choosing photos that represent some memorable moments and even some of the more routine ones. Have your kids handwrite their thoughts of appreciation or particular messages throughout the book or album. As you work with your kids on this gift, the process of your creation (as you refresh memories) will be as rewarding as the act of giving it.
2. Assemble a basket of custom “goodies” that represent different memories and/or their favourite items. It’s great to involve your kids in this idea too. You can even turn it into a creative challenge for them. Maybe the items are symbolic and not so obvious of your nanny or caregiver’s interests and you can add a small tag on each one with a hint. So for example, if your nanny or caregiver dreams of visiting Australia, you could include some macadamia nuts, which are native to the country, in the basket. The possibilities are endless!
3. Every nanny or caregiver deserves some pampering. They may not think about treating themselves, but a gift certificate for a massage or other spa service could be exactly what they need. A massage can work wonders for relaxing tense or sore muscles from being on their feet most of the day, carrying children around, or helping elders with different household chores. It also provides a mental break, a small escape when they can allow focus only on themselves.
4. Make a handmade mug or bowl out of ceramic. This is another gift idea that involves your kids, making the gift even more special. There are different studios around the country that offer ceramics painting. Search “pottery studio” online and you will see options near you. Your kids may have been to a birthday party at one of these studios before. We like mugs and bowls because they’re useful but also thoughtful when customized. You can make a mug in a special shape if you know what type of beverage your nanny likes to drink. Bowls can be versatile to hold food or random household items. Whatever you or your kids make, your nanny or caregiver will be touched to receive this one-of-a-kind gift!
5. A bonus or the gift of a few extra paid vacation days. Inflation or not, your nanny or caregiver is bound to appreciate a little additional financial support, especially around the holidays. Or if you have a bit of extra time off from work that allows you to give your nanny a more extended break, consider giving your nanny the gift of time. Just make sure you account for this properly in your domestic payroll to avoid any complications with the CRA.
The holidays provide a natural milestone in the year to show your nanny or caregiver how much you value them. And beyond the holidays, we should remember that a smile, hug, and saying thank you go a long way to showing appreciation too.
Credits: Photo by Michael Fenton on Unsplash
