CASH

Let her spurge on something SHE wants.

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here who sounds a lot like your nanny. It probably isn’t possible so close to Christmas (maybe for her birthday) but my best gift ever is a professional photograph of all my current and past charges together (except one) from three families. I actually cried when I got it and loved that my charges all got together even as one family had to drive over two hours to get back.

Best gift ever!

Wow! That is an AMAZING and thoughtful gift!!

Anonymous wrote:What about a photo album of the kids or something the kids make?

Maybe they can make a macaroni sweater!

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Please. Other than cash. Her annual bonus comes two weeks after Christmas and she spends Christmas morning with us. I need ideas of gifts she can open.

A weekend at a spa gift certificate. Why is she spending Christmas morning with you?

Nanny here who sounds a lot like your nanny. It probably isn’t possible so close to Christmas (maybe for her birthday) but my best gift ever is a professional photograph of all my current and past charges together (except one) from three families. I actually cried when I got it and loved that my charges all got together even as one family had to drive over two hours to get back.

Best gift ever!

What about a photo album of the kids or something the kids make?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks! You’ve given me some great ideas!

Our nanny is 66, loves hiking (goes every weekend), reading, classical music, and movies. She’s extremely intelligent and not the least bit fancy. And she loves my kids so much as well as all her former charges.

Hand warmer & that card with $$$ inside. I’m 67. I have enough STUFF!

I get what you’re saying but you’re missing the point. The nanny is going to be with the family on Christmas. The kids will be opening presents. The parents will be opening presents. It would be really awkward for the nanny to open nothing.

Here are a few items you could try OP:

Nice olive oil

Chocolates (or French macaroons from a bakery if she’s into that)

Cashmere scarf

Gloves

Framed photo of her with the children (or just the children if you don’t have a good one of her)

Nice socks! Good wool hiking socks are always nice to have. Funny socks are fun to unwrap and the kids can help you pick them out because it’s supposed to be silly.

OP again. Thank you so much! You guys gave me some great ideas!

Based on your follow-up, maybe a bracelet or memento that has a symbol of all her former charges too?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks! You’ve given me some great ideas!

Our nanny is 66, loves hiking (goes every weekend), reading, classical music, and movies. She’s extremely intelligent and not the least bit fancy. And she loves my kids so much as well as all her former charges.

What about an REi membership and some nice hiking shoes or fancy pack?

Do not attempt to pick these things out for an avid hiker! The likelihood you will pick something they like is close to zero, since we all tend to have strong preferences and know which brands and styles fit our feet etc. Even if the item is returnable, you are just creating extra work for them to have to return whatever you bought.

If she's a reader, books are always appreciated.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks! You’ve given me some great ideas!

Our nanny is 66, loves hiking (goes every weekend), reading, classical music, and movies. She’s extremely intelligent and not the least bit fancy. And she loves my kids so much as well as all her former charges.

What about an REi membership and some nice hiking shoes or fancy pack?

Lululemon

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks! You’ve given me some great ideas!

Our nanny is 66, loves hiking (goes every weekend), reading, classical music, and movies. She’s extremely intelligent and not the least bit fancy. And she loves my kids so much as well as all her former charges.

Hand warmer & that card with $$$ inside. I’m 67. I have enough STUFF!

I really think a nice box of chocolates with a card attached with cash in it is the most appreciated! Nannies usually shop and wear different stuff than their employers.

OP here. Thanks! You’ve given me some great ideas!

Our nanny is 66, loves hiking (goes every weekend), reading, classical music, and movies. She’s extremely intelligent and not the least bit fancy. And she loves my kids so much as well as all her former charges.