We always gave our nanny date night gift cards, like movie & adjacent restaurant, so she could enjoy some free time with her DH.

Long time nanny here. For comparison, most of my nanny families have either given me just a card with a photo of the kids (no actual gift), or they've given me something really small (under $40 value). This has been true even for families I've been with full time for several years.

Some families have given me things like: a cotton scarf, a bracelet (not name brand or even real silver; I'm guessing it was under $20 at some place like Macy's or JC Penney), a potted succulent, etc. Neither the scarf nor the bracelet were to my taste, and my tiny apartment gets no light so I can't keep plants (the poor succulent was dead within 90 days). Unfortunately I wasn't given a gift receipt so I couldn't exchange them, and they all ended up in the garbage.

Personally, my favorite gifts that I've received from nanny families on my birthday have been things like lotion, lip balm, and bottles of wine, but even that can be tricky-- you need to make sure she drinks if you gift wine and make sure the lotion and lip balm are either unscented or a scent she likes.

Bottom line: I wouldn't advise buying her the necklace unless she's explicitly told you she likes that exact necklace, but if you really think she might like it and want to surprise her with it, MAKE SURE YOU PROVIDE A GIFT RECEIPT so she can exchange it if she wants to.

Otherwise, I'd recommend a smaller gift (lotion, wine, etc) and either a gift card (to target or whole foods or something along those lines, or another store that you know she likes) or cash.

Yes, ca$h IS king....
Especially in the Nanny World (!).
To me, I see nothing impersonal about it at all.


All kidding aside, the Tiffany necklace may be a little much for now.
I would reconsider it for Christmas however.

How about a homemade “Happy Birthday” card from your child (if old enough) + some homemade cupcakes/cookies too.
And about $100 in cash.
She will be very very happy.

Trust me!

I would prefer cash

Anonymous wrote:Tiffany jewelry??! My goodness.

How about a card, maybe flowers and a gift card to start?

No flower—not everyone likes them or she may be allergic. And gift cards are only ok if you know her favorite stores. I also don’t think op should get her a Tiffany necklace. Maybe hold off for another year or Xmas gift.

Tiffany jewelry??! My goodness.

How about a card, maybe flowers and a gift card to start?

I think a nice card and cash is perfect. No need to go overboard, a $100 is fine. Save the larger bonus for Christmas.

I love a personal gift for my birthday.

Unless you know with 100% certainty your nanny likes necklaces, then get the necklace. 1 days pay would be nice too (and yea it may seem impersonal).
People on here will say to not give cash or a gift this early on because it’s your nanny’s first year. There was a post about this as well and many MBs suggested to give a gift card to a pedicure, store etc. Personally, I think cash is a nice gesture

It's my first year with a nanny, so I'm not sure what to get her for her birthday. I was thinking of getting her a silver necklace from Tiffany's valued at around $200, and 1 or 2 days pay in cash. My question for nannies is, would you prefer to not receive a necklace - would you rather just receive all cash? All cash seems a little unpersonal to me, but I know that my nanny may not like the necklace that I pick for her. Thanks for any thoughts.