OP
I love giving gifts to my charges I keep it small. I was surprised to learn that some parents prefer nanny not give gifts. I was curious.

our nanny and child exchange little gifts all the time. wouldn't you feel odd not getting little one something?

I look after mostly 4+ age group, and kids expect you to give them a little something - not because they're spoiled brats, but because they make you something as well and they know that everybody gets everybody presents (and they definitely don't quite get the professional side of nannying), so I think it will be strange not to give them something. Presumably nannies know quite well what the families prefer so they can make sure their present falls in line with that.

Anyway I'd personally feel strange if I was told I can't give my charges a gift because there's already too much crap anyway when I see them every work day of the week. And I disagree with the opinion that there can be too many books. Certainly there are crappy books, but any library or shelter is extremely happy to take donations of books, so you can always keep the spirit of Christmas alive by donating what you don't need.

Anonymous wrote:

nannydebsays wrote:I don't buy for my employers, but I do for my charges. I spend around $25, and I get good stuff, not plastic noisy crap.

I love to give my charges presents, although I would move toward an outing instead if an employer insisted.

There no good stuff out there for $25. That exactly the price range for noisy plastic crap from Toys'R'us

I never shop at T'r'U because they sell overpriced junk. Amazon & Target - check them out!

I always buy my charge a little gift, usually no more than $20. I make my MB/DB a scrapbook of my charge's year every Christmas. They always seem to love it.

Our DS's nanny buys gifts for him all the time. I think it is lovely.

I'm a nanny but I've learned most parents do not want gifts for themselves. I work mostly with infants so I buy them a small toy or book. For the parents I at least want to give something so I bake them a batch of brownies or some baked goods I know they will like, and give a card. On the 1 year anniversary I make a book from shuttlerfly or do a groove book. Baked goods show appreciation but they don't have to worry about me spending lots of $. Plus, who doesn't like baked goods?!

nannydebsays wrote:I don't buy for my employers, but I do for my charges. I spend around $25, and I get good stuff, not plastic noisy crap.

I love to give my charges presents, although I would move toward an outing instead if an employer insisted.

There no good stuff out there for $25. That exactly the price range for noisy plastic crap from Toys'R'us

I don't buy for my employers, but I do for my charges. I spend around $25, and I get good stuff, not plastic noisy crap.

I love to give my charges presents, although I would move toward an outing instead if an employer insisted.

Anonymous wrote:I would prefer she not spend her money on us. On the other hand, I can understand why she would want to buy something for the kids.

I would hope she would keep it modestly priced (like $10 or less) and keep in mind what she knows about our family and the kinds of things the kids like.

MB here and I agree with this. DC' current nanny, who they've had for 4 years, does some sort of fun outing with them as a Christmas gift.

MB here. I feel very conflicted about this issue. I love to give gifts so I understand why people enjoy doing that, especially for kids.

Our nanny is excessively generous though in a way that makes me uncomfortable. She spends too much money, buys bigger ticket items that I don't necessarily want (or not ones I would have chosen) and buys presents for me and my husband also.

I'd love to tell her not to spend her money on us, or to spend no more than $20 per child or something, but I know it would hurt her feelings, and mean she doesn't get to do something she really enjoys.

But honestly, I'd vastly prefer only a small item for the kids - or a fun activity with them - instead of presents.

I would prefer she not spend her money on us. On the other hand, I can understand why she would want to buy something for the kids.

I would hope she would keep it modestly priced (like $10 or less) and keep in mind what she knows about our family and the kinds of things the kids like.

I had a boss that said buying gifts was fine as long as I didn't go overboard and would give me a little list which is what I bought off of. funny thing is I only bought them gifts once because I never saw them again and I was there 50 hours a week

Not a fan. The last thing I want is more crap in my house. You CAN have too many books. We are minimalists. A card is fine. Also gifts are supposed to flow down, not up.

For the holidays and birthdays too are you comfortable with nanny buying gifts for the kids?

If you are OK is there a limit ? Amount? Cost?


If you prefer no gifts why?