Received Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Couldn't help but note there aren't that many nanny "spottings" this week. Have a quick question. I have a great nanny. She has been with us just about two months, with Easter coming up- would getting her something for Easter be an appopriate gesture of appreciation? If so, any ideas? We do not celebrate Easter, but I know she does. Also, she is a live-in nanny.
a basket of soaps, maybe? I had a live-in nanny once and she had strong body odor she was unaware of. A scented gift could kill two birds with one stone.
ReplyDeletehello! i don't celebrate easter either and neither did my family (although they did have easter dinner). she gave me some easter chocolates and a lovely chocolate chick. do people give big gifts for easter?? if that's not the case in your country, i think a cute chocolate bunny/giant chocolate egg would be just nice:)
ReplyDeleteI am convinced it is because of the weather. Back to rainy and cold in the NY area! :(
ReplyDeleteI think a small easter gift would be nice and certainly appreciated. I am live in nanny and my family gets me little things here and there. Its always nice to be thought of.
ReplyDeleteMy employers often give me little seasonal gifts -- a fancy cupcake for Valentine's day, a little easter basket, etc.
ReplyDeleteI love it because the gifts are sweet and thoughtful. I sincerely doubt my employers ever spend more than $10 on them, but it makes me feel good that they thought to give me something.
You don't have to spend much, just fill a cute basket with Easter candy or soaps/candles and maybe a magazine or paperback book.
Get her some LUSH products! This store is filled with fantastic products for everyone. They are all handmade and totally natural and cruelty free/enviromentally friendly. I give Lush gifts all the time and they are always a hit. You could also give a gift certificate if you don't want to choose for her.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usa.lush.com
The weather and spring break may be the reason for so few postings.
ReplyDeleteAs far as an Easter gift, maybe a gift certificate for a pedicure (about $20) since warm weather means bare toes. If she has a favorite snack or candy you could do a little basket with those.
You don't have to do anything, but the thought is very nice. I got the baby I am a nanny for a sundress and matching hat since she is too young for candy.
It is great to have an employer who does little things to show they appreciate you!
A bunch of tulips (a traditional Easter flower), or a chocolate bunny if she likes chocolate, from the children. People don't generally give gifts at Easter, but It is a nice gesture, and since she is fairly new, it will let her know you are happy with the job she is doing.
ReplyDeleteA nanny
case of peeps and quart of wine.
ReplyDeleteno, seriously. whatever you do, a card is always nice. Especially if you write something personal in the card- as in how happy you are with her. when this blissful relationship goes sour and you refuse to give her a letter of reference, she can just use your greeting cards as a letter of reference.
I am bummed about the lack of nanny sightings, I just ate a half a sack of robin eggs.
ReplyDeleteWe all enjoy being given small gifts by others. It's a very thoughtful and considerate thing to do for someone else. How nice of you to think of your nanny.
ReplyDeleteI have been always enviable of those who have the kind of nanny that inspires these kind of gifts. I have had two nannies and both were so greedy and entitled that the idea of giving them anything extra-while I did it, I did it because I felt I had too! Congrats OP, you have found a good match!
ReplyDeleteIt is rarer than you know!
I suggest a basket with some really good chocolates and slip in the pedicure coup. I liked that idea, too. But then, I do love my chocolate. Wouldn't want to give that up.
ReplyDeleteHow about a pretty pot of tulip, daffodil or paperwhite bulbs? She can keep them in her room, they smell nice and are a beautiful reminder of spring. Chocolate is always good too.
ReplyDeleteEaster never used to be about gifts, just candy, flowers and a nice dinner together. Don't you hate how the toy companies are marketing Easter as Christmas, Part II?
jj seems to need some chocolate and midol...
ReplyDeleteYes, my nanny didn't want to "hassle" with stroller and cover to get dd to class at the Y today. I gave her a free pass but what I wanted to scream at her was "it's just rain!"
ReplyDeleteA small Easter basket, or a plant is always nice. Take a small piece of poster board, fold it in half, and write happy easter on it from the children, and let the kids have fun decorating it with paint, stickers, etc for the nanny from them. The kids will love making it, and I'm sure the nanny will love receiving it!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Linz
3:42: You need a new nanny.
ReplyDeleteI'd do the pedicure, ya'll.
My bosses often get me little "thank you" gifts and cards. Gifts include dessert from the restaurant they ate at while I watched the kids, pastries, chocolates, gift certificates to restaurants, gift certificates to a store they know I really like, etc. I never expect these gifts and they are always a pleasant surprise that make me feel extra appreciated!
ReplyDeleteevery so often, the family i work for gives me little gifts...tokens, really, but what is touching about the gifts is the thoughtful card mom always gives with it. heartfelt words of appreciation mean more than any gesture.
ReplyDeleteBUT, she did once do something VERY thoughtful...i complemented a pair of boots she was wearing, and made an off hand comment (a total joke) about how my winter boots were falling apart (i teased that i looked even more like a broke college student). the next week, she gave me a very sweet card with a giftcard to bloomingdales...it had been given to her as a gift, and she said there was nothing she really needed to buy, and instead of getting something frivolous, she wanted me to have something i needed. it was really incredible that she listened and thought of me so much. real care and thought always make up for the hard times at work.
sorry for the long post, but i wanted to share :).
the thing i notice is that there are crappy nannies and crappy employers. and this really does affect us all because crappy nannies and crappy employers are just crappy people. toxic and nauseating people that drain positive energy from the world.
ReplyDeletero,
ReplyDeleteyou are not nice.
anon at 3:02
ReplyDeleteWhy would you let someone you felt was greedy take care of your kids? It never fails to amaze me how these parents complain about their nannies, yet there they are still working for them. If you don't like your nanny, get another one. And here's a thought: if you go through several nannies, maybe the problem is you.
I dont think that being gracious or appreciative is an attribute that all good nannies have. I mean they should.
ReplyDeletePerhaps OR meant that her employee was a good employee but an ingrate when it came to receiving gifts. That sours me too- and not speaking about nannies- just friends and family. There are some people you love to get gifts for because they are so graciour and appreciative and other people- well they are just blahhhh.
Oooh! I second LUSH products. I love LUSH too but they are expensive.. Perhaps the new Easter Egg gifts? They're about $15 , I think. Not sure if they're available in the US though. The bf got me all 5:) (he isn't normally romantic so I'm very pleased)
ReplyDelete10:20:
ReplyDeleteWomen like 3:02 are just as lazy as their employees. That is why they don't look for a new nanny. Too much work. They'd rather stick their children with someone who is mediocre at best out of sheer laziness.
If I was a nanny and received a chocolate bunny, a handmade card, a gift certificate, or actually any token of appreciation at Easter, I'd be very touched and grateful.
ReplyDeletewarning:
ReplyDeletea chocolate Jesus will not go over very well.
A basket of Easter sweets...Cadbury Creme Eggs, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans would be great. Any excuse to bring a more festive mood = )
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate Jesus sculpture was disgusting
ReplyDelete