Bonus and gift for nanny? Please help first-time employer

[Anonymous]

We have a part-time nanny whom we like very much. We're giving her a cash Christmas bonus of one week salary. Just today though, I wondered if we're also supposed to give her a separate gift? If my child were older, I'd have the child make something for the nanny, but he's just a baby. What does everyone else out there do? If you give a gift in addition to the bonus, what is the gift? Bottle of wine? Christmas tree ornament? It would have to be fairly inexpensive -- $ is tight! Thanks for any feedback!

Oh, also -- the bonus. I was just going to write a nice card about how much we appreciate her, and put the cash in there. Is there some other way I should be giving her the bonus?

Sorry of these are stupid questions. This is just new for me.

[Anonymous]

I usually just give a card and a cash bonus.

I wish I had time to do more than that, but that is all I do.

My nanny is usually just really happy that she got the cash.

[Anonymous]

Cash and a card is great! My family tries to pick something out and give me a small bonus and, the truth is, I would just rather have all cash since I rarely end up using the gift because it is not my style or just something I don't need. If you really want to get your nanny a gift as well, I would take a picture of your nanny with your child and frame it or just frame a picture of the baby and give it to her. I had a family give me a picture of their child before they moved and it was one of the best presents I have received. I hope this helps!