Have you ever purchased a gift for your employers? RSS feed

Anonymous
I began working as a FT nanny during the last week of November, 2012 for a family in NYC (the UES). Before becoming full-time, I worked occasionally for them, maybe once or twice a week, 4-6 hours, since mid-September, caring for their newborn daughter.

For my birthday (12/12), MB gave me a sweet card and a $50.00 gift card. I didn’t hint that it was my birthday until the day before, and I wasn’t expecting anything except to get off like an hour early so I could hang with friends, so the gift was a nice gesture. Since Christmas was coming up, and they were really generous folk, I decided to get them a gift. In the short time that I knew them, I learned that they really, REALLY, loved coffee. So I got them personalized coffee mugs that doubled as thermoses, cover and all. They absolutely loved their gift, and they use them every day (MB keeps hers at work but always uses DB’s at home if he isn’t using it himself ). I myself got an awesome Christmas card and a great cash bonus to boot.

Anyway, their birthdays are around May and June, and I want to get them a gift for these occasions. It’ll just be another gift of something that they like (e.g. DB is into sports, particularly football, and likes the Jets, so I can get him something personalized with regards to that nature). MB, on the other hand, is trickier to figure out. She loves shoes and outfits and other things of that nature, but I wouldn’t want to get her anything like that. At any rate, I’m sure I could figure out a nice gift for her as well when the time comes.

So, I guess the question is: Have you ever purchased a gift for your employers? What was it?; For what occasion/holiday? And would it be weird if I get them a gift for their birthdays?
Anonymous
Where's that novel you were going to write?
Anonymous
I've only ever purchased Christmas gifts for my employers, and always child related - usually a photo album, once I took the kids to paint their own pottery and they gave them to MB (so, technically from the kids but I paid for it?). It's a little unusual to buy birthday gifts for your employers, but every relationship is different. Personally I think you can't go wrong with a nice bottle of wine - even if they don't care for it, they can use it as a hostess gift when they're next invited to dinner.
Anonymous
Nice 11:37... Originally, I was going to get them a personalized photo frame of "My First Year." It looked great, and would have made an excellent gift for them and the baby when she was old enough to appreciate it. Instead, I got them the coffee mugs and I got the baby the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Puppy.

I'm not much of a wine person, so I'd have no clue as to what brand/kind to get them. I understand that gift giving to employers is a bit unusual in the nanny/employer relationship... especially since nannies are most always on the receiving end. Nevertheless, they're really nice people, they show their appreciation for me everyday, they treat me as a member of their family, not simply "like" a member, and I just want to return the favor.
Anonymous
I wouldn't do an object...the landfills are full enough already. The American consumerism needs to stop. I would cook dinner and make a cake or offer to babysit for 4 hrs so they can go out.
Anonymous
That seems like a great idea 12:32
Anonymous
Personally, all of the gifts that I have ever given MB and DB have been child related. A photo book of all of the pictures I took that year, a wooden plaque with the babies 1 yr hand prints, etc.

I do think that it is completely unnecessary to get a gift for your employers for their birthdays but if you have a good relationship with them they probably won't see it as "weird". With that said, I don't really know your employers well enough to suggest a gift for them. Good luck.
Anonymous
I think it's weird. You shouldn't be buying them bday gifts. Christmas, I can see, but birthdays, nope.
nannydebsays

Member Offline
No, I help my charge(s) make cards for my MB/DB for their birthdays and anniversary, but no gifts.

I actually specifically asked on Christmas, and was told, "No, you do not need to get us anything, you give us the best gift every day by caring for our kid(s)."
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Where's that novel you were going to write?


I seriously hate you.
Anonymous
Getting boss parents stuff for their birthdays is just plain weird and creepy.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Where's that novel you were going to write?


I seriously hate you.


Everyone please ignore this person. The only reason why they keep posting obnoxious replies is because we are feeding into it and giving them the attention that they so desire. Ignore them and the behavior will most likely stop. We work with children, everyone should know this.
Anonymous
I wouldn't do birthday. I have done Christmas before.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Where's that novel you were going to write?


I seriously hate you.


Everyone please ignore this person. The only reason why they keep posting obnoxious replies is because we are feeding into it and giving them the attention that they so desire. Ignore them and the behavior will most likely stop. We work with children, everyone should know this.


Hail to the forum nazi.
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