Depends on the kid.

Last Christmas, I did three LEGO sets, one for each of my former charges, all $100-150 sets that I got for $50-65 on clearance. The prior Christmas (when I was with them), I got an American girl matching outfit for girl and doll for the oldest, lego set to do with the middle child, and set of paw patrol or pj mask vehicles (don’t render which I did, parents did the other one, at my recommendation) for the youngest. For the Christmas, oldest’s present was way over $100, middle was roughly $60 (clearanced from ~$120), youngest was probably $40-50.

With another family, I got the kids clothes that fit the parent’s modesty rules, but that the parent would never buy. Those parents don’t buy “special” clothes, so that what all the relatives give for Christmas. Toys are for birthdays.

For a third family, I did a girly construction kit, a science kit, and a coding kit. First two cost about $25 each, coding cost about $80.

I always give at least one book each. Price ranges from $3 to over $50, depending on the kid, their interests and how mature their reading is.

I’m happy to give gifts if I’m still in contact with the kids, not just asking for a reference call from the parents. If not? Nope. With that said, I budget and shop all year, and while I know I don’t have to, it brings me joy, especially when I get to use the things with the kids, or when I have pictures of kids in their new clothes.

I stick to a $30 max per child and shop on black friday and cyber monday. You find excellent deals. Last year I bought a $60 game for $25.

MB here. I do graciously accept any gift my children’s nanny chooses to give them. It’s not my business to dictate how much or how little a gift costs. I trust my kids’ nanny with their lives so I trust her to make sound financial decisions for herself.

$20-30 per kid, or one larger share item, but as they get older and have too much stuff, I'll do experiences instead. Going on the special outing is their gift, and a Saturday morning off, free of charge, is the parents gift.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent, please please don't feel like you need to spend money on my kid. A small toy or a card is completely fine. We give our nanny a generous bonus and it's always awkward to me when she gives an expensive gift for dds birthday and holidays (around $100 by my estimate the last couple times).
If she suggests what she thinks dd would like since she spends a lot of time with her and knows her preferences I'm always grateful and not offended.

Nanny here. I know I never need to spend money on my charge but I want to give her something I know she will love. Learn to be gracious, PP, and accept the nanny’s loving gesture.

I agree with PP, gifts flow down and my child is the same as if You were giving gift to me. In fact, I put a limit of amount household employees can spend. I also think your MB does not need a lecture on how to be gracious from her nanny. Like it or not, she is still your boss and her wishes supercede yours.

So everything employers write on this forum should be taken as gospel and true for all employers of nannies?

I think you need an ego check, PP.

MB he

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent, please please don't feel like you need to spend money on my kid. A small toy or a card is completely fine. We give our nanny a generous bonus and it's always awkward to me when she gives an expensive gift for dds birthday and holidays (around $100 by my estimate the last couple times).
If she suggests what she thinks dd would like since she spends a lot of time with her and knows her preferences I'm always grateful and not offended.

Nanny here. I know I never need to spend money on my charge but I want to give her something I know she will love. Learn to be gracious, PP, and accept the nanny’s loving gesture.

I agree with PP, gifts flow down and my child is the same as if You were giving gift to me. In fact, I put a limit of amount household employees can spend. I also think your MB does not need a lecture on how to be gracious from her nanny. Like it or not, she is still your boss and her wishes supercede yours.

I aim for $20 and then I take them to a movie and lunch.

I try not to spend over $30/each for my charges - but rarely succeed.
The “good” toys are so pricey!

As a parent I would be VERY uncomfortable if our nanny spent $50 let alone $75 on our kids.

Please don't. They don't need any more gifts.

Anonymous wrote:As a parent, please please don't feel like you need to spend money on my kid. A small toy or a card is completely fine. We give our nanny a generous bonus and it's always awkward to me when she gives an expensive gift for dds birthday and holidays (around $100 by my estimate the last couple times).
If she suggests what she thinks dd would like since she spends a lot of time with her and knows her preferences I'm always grateful and not offended.

Nanny here. I know I never need to spend money on my charge but I want to give her something I know she will love. Learn to be gracious, PP, and accept the nanny’s loving gesture.

As a parent, please please don't feel like you need to spend money on my kid. A small toy or a card is completely fine. We give our nanny a generous bonus and it's always awkward to me when she gives an expensive gift for dds birthday and holidays (around $100 by my estimate the last couple times).
If she suggests what she thinks dd would like since she spends a lot of time with her and knows her preferences I'm always grateful and not offended.

It's too much. And you should know that stuff isn't what really matters to kids, nor do they often need more of it.

It’s so hard not to over-spend because I know how my charge plays and know what she would love. But same as you, OP. I keep it under $75 total.

I try to keep it under $50 but rarely succeed.

I still give gifts to my former charges too. Is $75 per child too little or too much?