Anonymous wrote:What about for an au pair that just arrived right before Christmas? We like her lots, but of course hardly know her at all. I'm thinking about filling a stocking with gift cards to places nearby and candy and such.

I think the stocking is a great idea. I wouldn't overdo it, since she just go here. The presents are not really showing appreciation at this point and you don't know her. And what she would like You can make it up for her birthday.

We are giving stocking stuffers, leather gloves (she has mentioned how much she likes mine and would like to buy a pair) and either cash or the equivalent in a gift card for a skiing lesson, rental, etc. at a nearby ski resort. I like to give cash as a "bonus" but for her to have gifts to open under the tree as well. Oh, and her Mom and sister are staying with us over the holidays and they each got small ($15-20) gifts as well.

What about for an au pair that just arrived right before Christmas? We like her lots, but of course hardly know her at all. I'm thinking about filling a stocking with gift cards to places nearby and candy and such.

Wow, the gift bashing is insane. Some of the ideas and comments are actually helpful though! I think each person knows the people living in their household the best, and the gifts that I've bought for my au pair clearly wouldn't be a great gift for the others. I wouldn't get my AP a robe since she's leaving shortly after Christmas, but another AP might appreciate it and love it! I wore robes when I was 20, not sure what that rude comment was all about... especially when I lived in shared living spaces with roommates, another family, etc.

I bought our AP several gifts that I think she'll like, and will also get her a gift card to her favorite store. Since she's packing she can't fit much else in her suitcases but I know she wants to visit this store again before going home since they don't have it there.

Anonymous wrote:A robe ? You are kidding, right ??

OK can we just close this thread?? This is getting tiresome.

A robe ? You are kidding, right ??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hate the monogrammed robe or the earrings ...
Too personal.
The robe is gonna fill half her luggage ...

AP is in her 2nd year. She will need an extra suitcase already anyway.
Surely you don't really mean that you would 'hate' receiving a thoughtful present from your host family.

I have gotten a robe from a host family, it was huge, I clearly didn't need that in my suitcase.
And who wears a robe when you're 20 anyway ...
You react like a grown up and wanna get useful gifts but your AP is young and would clearly be happier with something else.

I have given a lightweight (think waffle-weave) robe for three of my past au pairs. Their bedroom and bathroom are not connected and they all loved having it to walk between them, instead of changing in the bathroom or moving w/a towel around them. It's lightweight. I wouldn't get a thick terry one, though.

I am giving a 'gift-card' book (a small book of various gift cards, personalized to her tastes), a robe, and some stocking stuffers. I'll probably do something else, but the assortment of GC's is at least $200.

PP here. I also bought hockey tickets for her. She has expressed strong interest in seeing a game, so I got her some of those too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hate the monogrammed robe or the earrings ...
Too personal.
The robe is gonna fill half her luggage ...

AP is in her 2nd year. She will need an extra suitcase already anyway.
Surely you don't really mean that you would 'hate' receiving a thoughtful present from your host family.

I have gotten a robe from a host family, it was huge, I clearly didn't need that in my suitcase.
And who wears a robe when you're 20 anyway ...
You react like a grown up and wanna get useful gifts but your AP is young and would clearly be happier with something else.

I have given a lightweight (think waffle-weave) robe for three of my past au pairs. Their bedroom and bathroom are not connected and they all loved having it to walk between them, instead of changing in the bathroom or moving w/a towel around them. It's lightweight. I wouldn't get a thick terry one, though.

I am giving a 'gift-card' book (a small book of various gift cards, personalized to her tastes), a robe, and some stocking stuffers. I'll probably do something else, but the assortment of GC's is at least $200.

I have two early twenties sisters, and they LOVED nice soft high quality robes that they could never afford! Cudos to PP for knowing her AP, and thinking about presents that would fit her personality instead of getting generic ornament, a sweater, or a fancy can opener.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to dress her, she can buy her own clothes.

Robe = crappy gift

Gosh you are rude.

HM who bought the robe: I think it's lovely that you do personal gifts, and I am sure your APs appreciate them and what a thougful host mom you are!

+1

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to dress her, she can buy her own clothes.

Robe = crappy gift

Gosh you are rude.

HM who bought the robe: I think it's lovely that you do personal gifts, and I am sure your APs appreciate them and what a thougful host mom you are!

You don't need to dress her, she can buy her own clothes.

Robe = crappy gift

Anonymous wrote:I know I am rude but this host mom needs to wake up and smell the coffee. It's better for her to hear from a stranger that her gift is crappy than from her AP. Of course she's probably well behaved and won't tell her host mom she doesn't like the gifts ... but that's a waste of money and the AP will be disapointed.

I'll tell you this much. I would not have given a robe to my other 6 APs. I choose a very personal gift (weekend bag for my city overnighter, pearl earring for my sporty AP who wears simple jewelry, tickets to a how for my music afficionado.). You know nothing about our family or our AP. Our current AP is a home body, loves to take baths, and wears slippers all the time in our home. Knowing her better that you, I am sure she will be pleased. The point is that I am making a genuine effort to give a personal gift. I can appreciate that it may not be the right present for you, and I am sure you can imagine that another AP might appreciate this.

I know I am rude but this host mom needs to wake up and smell the coffee. It's better for her to hear from a stranger that her gift is crappy than from her AP. Of course she's probably well behaved and won't tell her host mom she doesn't like the gifts ... but that's a waste of money and the AP will be disapointed.