Oh and I decided against flowers because she takes public transportation and I thought it would be a pain to carry around.

Thanks, everyone! We ended up giving her a card and one of those Visa gift cards that are the equivalent of cash. I think it ended up being the more thoughtful gift as her finances are a little tight right now. DC "signed" the card and handed it to her. Nanny was very happy.

Cash is cold and doesn't really express your appreciation for this particular nanny.

Consider a gift card (still impersonal, but less so) or a certificate to a spa or nice restaurant you know she likes.

Flowers are also perfect, though it would be better to give them than to send them to her house.

I prefer cash

We always give our nanny a card and cash ($50-$75)

A card and some flowers and a gift card or cash.

I worked for a family for 7 years and loved the kids. They never got me anything for my birthday, They were generous at Christmas but it wouldnt have taken much effort to make a card from the kids and stick a check in there.

Movie gift cards, tickets to a show, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- Gift certificate and a nice thoughtful card, plus maybe an orchid from trader joes would be nice.

This or a nice necklace.

Money IS the most meaningful gift you could give her, along with a card expressing your happiness at having her working for your family.

Honestly, she's going to get personal gifts from people who've known her longer - a cash birthday present goes a LONG way.

We've done flowers (at our home/her work--I didn't know if home delivery would feel too intrusive) and a card from all of us, plus a gift card to someplace we know she likes (specialty food store) as well as sometimes a gift card to someplace more generic (like Macy's).

Both our current and prior nannies have always gotten our DCs something just perfectly geared towards their interests so I've also felt lame not getting something more special/personal...but the gifts have always been warmly received.

We've also had a small cake or cupcakes for her to share with DCs or take home to share with family.

Nanny here- Gift certificate and a nice thoughtful card, plus maybe an orchid from trader joes would be nice.

We have a pretty new nanny (four months) and just found out that her birthday is this Saturday! What would be a good gift that I can get quickly? I can't get her any food items (wine, cake) because she is allergic to so many things. She always wears a piece of jewelry (costume, not expensive) that one of prior charges got her, she cherishes it, but DC is too young to "pick" something out for her. She bought a very thoughtful gift for DC's birthday last month. My last resort is cash, which I know she can use, but I would rather get her something more meaningful. Are flowers delivered to her home okay?