Welcoming AP with gift bag, how do you do it?

[Anonymous]

I got a gift bag for my AP with lot of random gifts. Is she supposed to go through the gifts in front of me so I can explain what is what? I assume she wont know how to use some of the stuffs e.g. gift card to the local coffee shop etc. What do other people do? Do they just put the gift bag in the AP room and she opens it on her own time and assume she will ask questions if needed?
Also I decided to provide shower gel, body lotion and toothpaste so she can get started, this is a one time thing but should last forever (huge costco bottle), is this too much, don't want to set the wrong expectation.
I also got a new bed sheet, towels, do I just make the bed with the new sheet or just put it in the gift bag?

Sorry, first time HM here.

[Anonymous]

Make the bed. New sheets are not a gift. Put the bag in her room and be done with it.

[Anonymous]

I would write a nice card explaining how you chose gifts (i.e., gift card to your favorite coffee shop so she can try it out, etc.). Agree with PP about just putting new sheets on bed.

[Anonymous]

Former AP here

Yes, you should make the bed

She can open the gifts in her bedroom, it's not polite to look at the gifts in front of you. She will ask you if she doesn't understand something
Giftcards for drinks (like Starbucks) are not common in some countries like mine (France), so if you get her one just tell her what it's for.

About the toiletries, add a note where you say she will get her own things when the basket is used up. Or mention it in your handbook (I advise you to make one).

Good luck !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former AP here

Yes, you should make the bed

She can open the gifts in her bedroom, it's not polite to look at the gifts in front of you. She will ask you if she doesn't understand something
Giftcards for drinks (like Starbucks) are not common in some countries like mine (France), so if you get her one just tell her what it's for.

About the toiletries, add a note where you say she will get her own things when the basket is used up. Or mention it in your handbook (I advise you to make one).

Good luck !

Thanks, this is helpful!

[Anonymous]

PP former AP again. I wanted to say it's very nice from you to do this for your AP and I'm sure it'll be appreciated

[Anonymous]

We make clear in our handbook that we provide starter toiletries, but they're responsible for their own based on their own preferences. We do provide full size items, not the hotel sizes.

For gift cards, I hand them to AP after the first week or two as a reward and verbally explain what it's for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We make clear in our handbook that we provide starter toiletries, but they're responsible for their own based on their own preferences. We do provide full size items, not the hotel sizes.

For gift cards, I hand them to AP after the first week or two as a reward and verbally explain what it's for.

OP here, this is a great idea. Handing the gift cards a week or two after they arrives, I will copy that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP former AP again. I wanted to say it's very nice from you to do this for your AP and I'm sure it'll be appreciated

Thanks former French AP, you always have constructive feedback on this forum

[Anonymous]

Thank you

[Anonymous]

We're putting together our gift bag now. I've read the forums for ideas but anything great that people recommend we include?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got a gift bag for my AP with lot of random gifts. Is she supposed to go through the gifts in front of me so I can explain what is what? I assume she wont know how to use some of the stuffs e.g. gift card to the local coffee shop etc. What do other people do? Do they just put the gift bag in the AP room and she opens it on her own time and assume she will ask questions if needed?
Also I decided to provide shower gel, body lotion and toothpaste so she can get started, this is a one time thing but should last forever (huge costco bottle), is this too much, don't want to set the wrong expectation.
I also got a new bed sheet, towels, do I just make the bed with the new sheet or just put it in the gift bag?

Sorry, first time HM here.

We leave a gift basket in the room, it includes toiletries, tea, snacks, Washington DC mug, advil, Starbucks GC and CVS GC. I also fully make up the bed. I make it so she's as comfortable as possible.

Also the first night she is ready to go out to eat we either so Sushi or Mexican. Our APs are all Northern European and love both of those.

[Anonymous]

It would be smarter to eat American on your first meal out.

[Anonymous]

With the toiletries, I think I would include a note that these are to get her started until you can go to the grocery store together where she can choose her preferred brand of shampoo, conditioner, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be smarter to eat American on your first meal out.

Hardly, most au pairs are really grossed out by what passes for food in “American” restaurants, the portion sizes at such restaurants; or obese American patrons, etc.