Holiday Bonus Survey, Part 2

To read part I of the Holiday Bonus Survey for 2012, click here.

Part II

Bonus this year (2012): So far None but may Change during the week*

Your weekly salary: Varies, around 400*

Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: none*

 Length of time you have worked for the Family: 8 months*

City, State and Country where you live: Denver,CO, USA

A lady I babysit for sporadically throughout the week/month gave me 250 for Christmas, I have known her for 4 years but have worked for her for 8 months also.

* Bonus this year (2012): $350

* Your weekly salary: $384 gross

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: a set of handmade

ornaments made by MB

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: 1 year

* City, State and Country where you live: Tulsa, OK, USA

* Additional comments: After working 11+ years in childcare, this is by

far the best job I have ever had.  I always feel appreciated and

valued

Bonus this year:  One week's pay (cash)

Supplementary gift: $100 gift card for my favorite restaurant

Length of time with families: 1 year with one family, 4 months

with the other (share)

Location: San Francisco, Ca.

Comments: It's really nice that they remembered my favorite restaurant

* Bonus this year (2012): Two weeks worth of pay= $900

* Your weekly salary: $450

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: $100 Target

Gift Card, $25 Gift Card to a local wine bar, box of candy, framed

picture of my charges and I

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: Since August 2012, so 3.5 months*

City, State and Country where you live: San Diego, CA, United States

* Bonus this year (2012):  random "tips" on payday

* Your weekly salary: $10/ hour= averaging 35 to 45 hours a week

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:  I received small gifts throughout the year (lunch, etc)

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: February 2013 will be one year 

* City, State and Country where you live:  Commerce, MI            

* Additional comments:  This has been one of the best families I have

worked with.  I am the girls' first nanny.  I started with the twins

when they were only 2 months old and I plan to stay forever!!!!   

* Bonus this year (2012):   $500
* Your weekly salary:   $570 (net)
* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:   No
* Length of time you have worked for the Family:    4 months
* City, State and Country where you live:    Seattle, WA
* Additional comments:   I was so surprised, touched, and thrilled by
this bonus! I love working for this family and look forward to coming
in every day.

* Bonus this year (2012):

Family 1: $100

Family 2: $0

* Your weekly salary:

Family 1: average $120 for 10-15 hours per week.

Family 2: $40 for three days of homework help for special needs child.

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:

Family 1: $15 gift certificate for family business and a lovely letter.

Family 2: $50 Amazon gift card and a nifty Christmas wall hanging.

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: 5 months for both.

* City, State and Country where you live: Tennessee, USA.

* Additional comments:  Honestly, I wasn't expecting a bonus at all

 from either family -- especially the first family.  It's been a big

transition year for them (Mom went back to work), which means

everyone's under a lot of stress.  Sometimes I don't feel very

appreciated by them, so it was nice to have them show that they care.

 I absolutely adore the second family, but given how few hours I work

for them, I would never have thought they'd give me a gift.

* Bonus this year (2012): $2,000

* Your weekly salary: $750/week plus overtime (52 weeks a year, whether

I'm working or not)

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: gold necklace from

Tiffany & Co

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: almost 3 years

* City, State and Country where you live:  Los Angeles

* Additional comments:  I feel so lucky to have a job I love and a

family that truly appreciates me!

Holiday Bonus Feature 2011 Part II

To read Part I of the Holiday Bonus Feature 2011, click here.

HOLIDAY BONUS, PART II

Bonus this year (2011): 0 dollar bonus
Weekly salary: 640 before tax
Supplementary gifts: Pandora charms (2 charms, one representing each child), 50 dollar iTunes gift card (super sweet because I just got an iPhone), 65 dollars to my nail salon (I get my nails done biweekly), some candy and a gorgeous picture of my babies.
Length of time I have worked for family: 10 months.
Location: Western north carolina
Comments: My family is amazing. They treat me so well and just generally care about me. I had only been with them for a month and they bought me a nook color for my birthday. They found out I needed some maintenance on my car and they offered me (without me asking) to advance me the money for it and will not deduct it all at once from my upcoming checks, choosing to deduct small amounts from the next 3 months. I have worked for families who have been difficult to work for, and this
family is not like that. They are so wonderful and I am so lucky.
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Bonus this year (2011): $4000
Weekly salary: $1550 net for 50 hours + overtime.
Supplementary gifts: Baking equipment.
Length of time I have worked for family: 2 years 10 months.
Location: Manhattan, NYC, NY
Comments: Very thoughtful additional gifts; my employers know what I like to do in my spare time.
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Bonus this year (2011): I received a $1,000 Christmas bonus.
Weekly salary: I get paid $15/hr about 30-40 hrs/wk and take care of 3 boys.
Supplementary gifts: I also received these cool gloves that have a special finger tip so I can be on my iPhone and these wonderful pjs. Both gifts were very heartfelt especially since the 6 yr old picked out the pjs and I couldn't have made a better choice.
Length of time I have worked for family: I've been with the family for a year and a half.
Location: They live in Greenwich Ct.
Comments: I received the pjs first and the gloves and my bonus in their adorable christmas card the following day. I was pretty shocked. I've had a crazy year and a lot of personal/family emergencies but I love my job and I love the kids so I was so grateful and felt so incredibly appreciated, I almost cried. Happy holidays everyone!
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Bonus this year (2011): $1500 before taxes
Weekly salary: $750
Supplementary gifts: A sweet card "from" my charge.
Length of time I have worked for family: 11 months.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Comments: I am one of those odd nannies who has chosen not to have a bonus requirement in my contract and I also don't plan my budget around bonuses. I think they're terrific to receive, and I am always pleased with whatever I get from employers at the holidays, since I don't set my expectations so high that I am then crushed to get "only" a card, a gift or two, and a small check. But, all that said, I am SO thrilled and happy to have gotten such a generous gift from my bosses. I love working for them, adore my charge, and feel glad that I have, once again, found a truly good family to work for.
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Bonus this year (2011): $6000.00
Weekly salary: $1450.00/45hrs/2 kids
Supplementary gifts: iPod touch, various gift certificates (Starbucks, my fav!, Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble)
Length of time I have worked for family: 3yrs
Location: NY, US
Comments: I know I'm blessed to have a family that cares so much and appreciates what I do. This was definitely more than I ever expected to receive and am still in awe!
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Bonus this year (2011): $1500
Weekly salary: $600 (before taxes)
Supplementary gifts: A great new camera and an amazing stocking stuffed with perfume, beauty products, a $100 Amex giftcard, itunes giftcard, etc.
Length of time I have worked for family: over 4 years.
Location: NYC metro area.
Comments: So very thankful for their generosity!
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Bonus this year (2011): $200
Weekly salary: $510 before taxes, going up to $637 in Jan.
Supplementary gifts: a nice box of chocolates, 2 well-chosen books, a gift card to my daily coffee stop from the kids, nice moisturizer from their grandmother, cards from parents and kids, and a raise :)
Length of time I have worked for family: a year in Jan.
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Comments: I wasn't expecting anything, and have been feeling a little unappreciated at work. Their thoughtful gifts are much appreciated.
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Bonus this year (2011): $500
Weekly salary: $500 (30 hours/week)
Supplementary gifts: a little ornament "from" the baby.
Length of time I have worked for family: I have worked for this family since April 2011.
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Comments: I was very happy with my bonus, as I was unsure if I would receive one. A month ago, I told them I was leaving after the new year to work for a new family (they've known that I've needed more hours for a while now.. I had been working 50 and they cut me down to 30 with little notice). It was fine and they understood, but I still felt really bad so was unsure if I would receive a bonus, especially since my last day was a week before Christmas.
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Bonus this year (2011): nothing, although the parents both bragged about their $1500 bonuses (each! They work for the same company.)
Weekly salary: $250 for 50 hours; I am paid for any sick days when they go on vacation as well as all holidays.
Supplementary gifts: none.
Length of time I have worked for family: 6 months.
Location: Kentucky
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Bonus this year (2011): $170 (weeks pay)
Supplementary gifts: nice box of candy.
Length of time I have worked for family: worked for family for 1 year.
Location: greenwich, ct
Comments: this is a very part time position.
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Bonus this year (2011): $400 bonus for our PT nanny (1day/week)(8hrs)
Our Nanny's weekly salary: $120; will be raised to $130 starting Jan 2012.
Supplementary gifts: collapsible tupperware set (good for travel) and $20 dunkin donuts giftcard.
Length of time our Nanny has worked for family: nanny has been with us almost one year.
Location: NY, NY (upper west side)
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Bonus this year (2011): $500 cash
Weekly salary: $880
Supplementary gifts: items for our upcoming beach vacation, a very nice bottle of wine, two very special cookbooks.
Length of time I have worked for family: 3 years.
Location: Denver, CO
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Bonus this year (2011): $500
Weekly salary: $650
Supplementary gifts: They paid for my plane tickets to go home for Christmas, new UGG boots, perfume, gift certificate for indoor skydiving, Bridesmaids DVD.
Length of time I have worked for family: 6 months.
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina
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Bonus this year (2011): $2040.15 (3 weeks salary)
Weekly salary: $900 before taxes, take home $680.15
Supplementary gifts: package of classes for Hot Yoga, package of classes for Pilates, movie tickets, candle.
Length of time I have worked for family: 16 months.
Location: Wheaton, IL, USA
Comments: I work close to 60 hours a week with 4 kids; it's crazy but I love doing it, and the parents are amazing to work for! They gift me throughout the year with bonuses and packages of classes like the Pilates studio one (my Momboss and I often go to classes there together).
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Bonus this year (2011): $20
Weekly salary: $250 a week
Supplementary gifts: none.
Length of time I have worked for family: Worked for family 3.5 months caring for their infant twins part time.
Location: Mass., south of Boston.
Comments: Don’t know if it counts but I received a Merry Christmas call from a previous family. It was a surprise and brightened my day a little.
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Bonus this year (2011): none.
Weekly salary: at least $450, more with more hours.
Supplementary gifts: Yes, a whole huge bag, with a nice card, two of Supernanny's books, a fuzzy blanket, a thermos with two packs of hot cocoa in it, a box of peppermint bark and three mini cupcakes.
Length of time I have worked for family: Nearly 5 months.
Location: Well, I work in Durham, North Carolina, USA, but I currently live in a town north of there.
Comments: They are the best bosses ever, very nice and thoughtful. The huge gift bag was very generous and they listened and saw what I liked and remembered.
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Bonus this year (2011): $500 bonus
Weekly salary: $500 for 30 hours.
Supplementary gifts: huge gift basket from Lush.
Length of time I have worked for family: I've worked for the family for 4 years now.
Location: suburbs outside of Washington, D.C.
Comments: I'm very happy with my holiday bonus/gift this year!
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Bonus this year (2011): $40
Weekly salary: around $200
Supplementary gifts: No gift.
Length of time I have worked for family: Worked for family last year for 3 months, was unable to work 6 months due to school, have been back with them since June of this year.
Location: small town in the south, population ~5000.
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Bonus this year (2011): none.
Weekly salary: $600 (before taxes)
Supplementary gifts: $50 gift card to Trader Joe's, $50 gift card to Target.
Length of time I have worked for family: 1 year.
Location: Minnetonka, MN, USA
Comments: DB also pays half of my health insurance and I get 55¢ per mile I drive. I was glad to get the gift cards, as I thought they would give me nothing, but a cash bonus would have been preferred as we need the money for infertility treatment.
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Bonus this year (2011): job 1: 50$ job 2: 140$
Weekly salary: job 1: 380$ (30 hours weekly) job 2: 100$ weekly (approx 10 hours a week)
Supplementary gifts: no other supplemental gifts.
Length of time I have worked for family: length of time at job 1: 2 months job 2: year and 4 months.
Location: Main Line area outside Philadelphia PA
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Bonus this year (2011): $3000.00
Weekly salary: $1200.00 for 42 hours
Length of time I have worked for family: just over a year.
Location: NY, NY
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Bonus this year (2011): Family 1: none. Family 2: Check for 425
Weekly salary: Family 1: Weekly salary of 700 for 4 days a week...pd 52 weeks a year with 4 to 6 weeks off. Family 2: I work about 15 hours a week at 18 an hr.
Supplementary gifts: Family 1: a nanny vehicle and a 100 Starbucks card and a pair of boots I had admired of the mom I work for..they cost 440.
Comments: I am treated so well. I am truly blessed to be working with such kind and wonderful families.
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Bonus this year (2011): $100 cash
Weekly salary: $600 a week for 40 hours.
Supplementary gifts: Cooking supplies from William Sonoma and a nice card
Length of time I have worked for family: Since June 2010.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Comments: Not much to say...Kind of suprised.
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Bonus this year (2011): 1000
Weekly salary: 875
Supplementary gifts: purse.
Length of time I have worked for family: 2 years
Location: new york city
Comments: satisfied.
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Bonus this year (2011): half week's salary for a nanny who has been with us half a year. We go up to a full week after the first full year.
Our Nanny's weekly salary: $750 for 50 hours a week.
Supplementary gifts: Gift was personal; nicely bound book of the kids that cost $75.
Length of time our Nanny has worked for family: 6 months.
Location: tri-state (NY)
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Bonus this year (2011): $200
Weekly salary: $700
Supplementary gifts: none.
Length of time I have worked for family: 14 months.
Location: Charlotte, VT, USA
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Bonus this year (2011): $250
Weekly salary: $495 / $11 hr
Supplementary gifts: Toiletries set & Wine Glass.
Length of time I have worked for family: 2 1/2 years.
Location: Orlando, FL
Comments: I absolutely love the family I work for!! Little C is a sweet heart and his parents are very nice people : ) MB takes us out to lunch at least once a week and their home is my home. I’m Live-Out and work 45 + hours a week. I was hoping for a weeks pay bonus but I’m grateful for what they gave me.
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Bonus this year (2011): $50
Weekly salary: $250
Supplementary gifts: nothing. nada. zilch.
Length of time I have worked for family: 16 months.
Comments: I can't wait to find another job! This economy sucks.
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Bonus this year (2011): $750
Weekly salary: $800
Supplementary gifts: some delicious honeys for tasting with nice cheeses.
Length of time I have worked for family: just complete my third year.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Comments: So blessed to be starting my fourth year with this wonderful family. We have a great relationship with excellent communication and they are extremely supportive. Looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store!
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Bonus this year (2011): $650
Weekly salary: $625 for four days with one baby.
Supplementary gifts: No.
Length of time I have worked for family: Less than two months.
Location: Fairfield County, Connecticut
Comments: I honestly wasn't expecting anything just because of the short amount of time it's been since I started. I've had a few longterm and temporary positions over the last few years and this is by far the best situation I've been in. Absolutely don't feel overworked and definitely feel appreciated which I've learned, isn't something to be expected! =)
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Bonus this year (2011): $600 plus a week off with pay.
Weekly salary: $600
Supplementary gifts: cookbook for me, gifts for my daughter that added up to probably at least another $100.
Length of time I have worked for family: almost 6 months.
Location: Redmond, WA USA
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Bonus this year (2011): $4000
Weekly salary: 1000, about 35 per hour.
Supplementary gifts: nothing.
Length of time I have worked for family: 5 years.
Location: Outside NYC
Comments: Glad to get it, long time in this weird situation.
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Bonus this year (2011): $200
Weekly salary: $760
Supplementary gifts: A nylon Marc Jacobs bag, retails
around $200.
Length of time I have worked for family: 2.5 years.
Location: Boston, MA
Comments: The past two previous years they have given me a gift priced around $300 and a bonus of $500. Everyone is hurting from the economy this year I guess.
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Bonus this year (2011): $3,000.
Weekly salary: $1,200.
Supplementary gifts: I received a high end camera and theatre tickets from the parents. The children asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I told them I wanted them to make me something. From the 10 yo budding artist who loves to paint, a framed painting of my cat. It is a caricature (unintentionally) and quite whimsical and funny. I love it. The younger 3 made clay tree ornaments. I think MB helped here. Their names are on the backs of the ornaments, so when they have outgrown the nanny years, I will have these reminders of them every year when I trim my tree. They also each made a card with a gift card enclosed, Starbucks, Barnes&Noble, Michaels, Modells.
Length of time I have worked for family: I have been with this family for ten years.
Location: Located in NYC
Comments: I really appreciate the salary and bonuses in this economy, and treasure the cards and handmade gifts, but even more importantly I wake up in the morning looking forward to going to work and seeing my cares. I am so lucky to have a job I love with a wonderful family.
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Bonus this year (2011): $1000
Our Nanny's Weekly salary: $550
Supplementary gifts: little things from kids (ornament, cookies)
Length of time our Nanny has worked for family: 2.5 years
Location: Chicago IL (USA)

Holiday Bonus Feature 2011 Part I

To read Part II of 2011's Holiday Bonus Feature, click here.

PART I

Bonus this year (2011): $1500
Weekly salary: $804 gross
Supplementary gifts: Received a new BlackBerry Bold from my two oldest charges, a pair of SpongeBob house shoes from the baby, a $50 Amazon gift card from the children’s uncle, and $100 cash from the grandparents.
Length of time I have worked for family: 5 months as a full time live-in.
Location: Dallas, Texas
Comments: I also received $450 in miscellaneous gift cards from two previous employers and five neighborhood families whose children I babysit occasionally throughout the year. Additionally, I received a free breakfast at a nice restaurant and $200 cash from a third previous employer.
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Bonus this year (2011): 2 extra weeks of paid vacation.
Weekly salary: $700/wk - 40 hours, plus overtime. 1 preschooler, 1 school aged child.
Supplementary gifts: ipad, gifts when they go on vacation, a christmas tree, house warming gift when I moved into my new apartment, they leave me money to go out to breakfast/lunch/dinner and get treats with my charges, magazine subscription to my favorite magazine, Roku, some extra cash when I go on vacation so I can spoil myself a bit, and help with healthcare coverage.
Length of time I have worked for family: 4 years.
Comments: I am so grateful for the amazing family I work for. The respect, thoughtfulness and kindness they show me is extraordinary and the sweet and thoughtful gifts they have given me are the icing on the cake. I try to show my gratitude by taking awesome care of their children. I feel so lucky to always love going to work!
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Bonus this year (2011): $500.00
Weekly salary: $330.00 after taxes.
Supplementary gifts: Likely, but not until closer to Christmas, bonus was given Dec. 1st.
Length of time I have worked for family: 1+ year.
Location: Columbus, Ohio
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Bonus this year (2011): $0
Weekly salary: $150.00
Supplementary gifts: Probably not.
Length of time I have worked for family: Since July 2011.
Location: San Diego, California
Comments: I work for my sister, I watch my nephew full time. 40-50 hours a week. She cant afford much. I really do it as a favor to her and I get to spend time with the best baby ever! I also watch a former charge when he is off school. Not sure if I will get anything this year from them.
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Bonus last year (2010): $1000.00 & 15 paid days off during the holiday season... I am expecting around the same this year, days off have already been alotted.
Weekly salary: $700.00 approx/week for one child.
Supplementary gifts: paid days off.
Length of time I have worked for family: 2 years (+)
Location: ONT, Canada
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Bonus this year (2011): It's usually 1 weeks pay, around $1,600 - $1,800.
Weekly salary: $1,600 - $1,800.
Supplementary gifts: This year I will be getting a gas card since MB doesn't want us using the T too often, the kids both make me something, plus buy me a box of Lorna Doones!
Length of time I have worked for family: 7 years.
Location: I live in Natick MA, US. I work in Needham MA
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Bonus this year (2011): $575
Weekly salary: $575 for 42-55 hrs week (so I got a bonus check basically)
Supplementary gifts: No other gifts/bonus.
Length of time I have worked for family: I've worked for them 5 months caring for a 2 yo and a 7 yo.
Comments: Been in the childcare biz for 3 yrs (including 1 yr as a PreK teacher).
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Bonus this year (2011): $1,000
Weekly salary: I work 9-5 M-Thu for 2 girls (3 & 1). My take home pay is
$500 not including the taxes & gas stipend of $40 dollars a week.
Supplementary gifts: A gold Coach purse, a $100 Starbucks card, a 20 lb Jennie-O Premium turkey for my family Christmas dinner & the family ornament. (A very prominent family in my city and they make ornaments to give out to all their workers).
Length of time I have worked for family: 3 years & 3 months.
Location: San Antonio, Tx USA
Comments: This is my 4th Christmas with the family and every year I never expect anything cause I'm very well taken care of during the year. A week before the 1 year olds birthday my MB broke her ankle and my hours and responsibilities changed considerably. Its been about 4 months of early mornings, late evenings & happily driving MB and the 2 girls to activities and work. I am not complaining and was happy to help as needed and will really miss my new routine in the new year when my old routine comes back. I'm very privileged and loved by this family and I love them too.
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Bonus this year (2011): $550
Weekly salary: $13/hr comes to about $525/week.
Supplementary gifts: a tin of homemade fudge!
Length of time I have worked for family: about 2 years.
Location: Texas
Comments: This is my second Christmas with them, and my bonus is $50 more than last year. I don't get a lot of benefits or flashy gifts, but they have been very supportive - and they also gave me $250 for my birthday a few months ago! I spent about $150 on the whole family, and will have the first week of January off.
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Bonus this year (2011): $500 cash.
Supplementary gifts: coco chanel purse.
Location: Maryland
Comments: nanny for three year old and eighteen month old twins.
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Bonus this year (2011): $500
Our Nanny's weekly salary: Our nanny's weekly salary is $300 net after room and board.
Supplementary gifts: $130 hair salon gift certificate (enough for a cut and colour), Crabtree & Evelyn travel toiletries set.
Length of time our Nanny has worked for family: four months.
Location: Toronto, Canada
Comments: Our nanny has not been with us long but she quickly became one of the family and was particularly helpful when my husband was ill recently. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful person looking after our children and sharing our home!
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Bonus this year (2011): $0
Weekly salary: $560 before taxes, $480 after.
Supplementary gifts: 5 bags of Teavana tea, my favorite store and my favorite kind! A really sweet gesture, shows mom was really listening to me :). Also got some homemade Christmas cookies and a family photo card.
Length of time I have worked for family: 2 1/2 weeks.
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Comments: The family I work for is so so sweet and they really go above and beyond for me. I definitely was not expecting a bonus after 2.5 weeks and the tea was such a nice present!
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Bonus this year (2011): nothing.
Weekly salary: $910.00 full time nanny share.
Supplementary gifts: $100 gift card to amazon from family #1, $100 cash and photo of baby from family #2.
Length of time I have worked for family: Family #1: 2.7 years, Family #2: 1 year.
Location: Boston, MA
Comments: Never expected a bonus from either family especially family #1 since they have never offered me one in the past.
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Bonus this year (2011): Family A (work around 20hrs/week) - $200 Family B (work 4-8hrs/week) - $100
Weekly salary: Family A - $13/hr. Family B - $13/hr.
Supplementary gifts: Family A - I got a cocktail shaker off my wedding registry. Family B - A box of Sees chocolates.
Length of time I have worked for family: Family A - 2 years. Family B - 1 year.
Location: Orange County, CA
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Bonus this year (2011): $250
Weekly salary: $250 (part time, live-out)
Supplementary gifts: a $100 gift card to a Salon and Spa and some lotion.
Length of time I have worked for family: 4.5 months.
Location: Seattle, WA
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Bonus this year (2011): $150
Weekly salary: $10.00 an hour, 35-40 hours a week.
Supplementary gifts: I received a hand-written heart-felt card telling me how wonderful they thought I was and how much I was appreciated. I got a nice card from my charges - ages: 2yrs and 6mths.
Length of time I have worked for family: Exactly 2 months.
Location: Commerce, Michigan
Comments: I have only been with this family for a short time. But they are wonderful, caring people. We get along great and my charges couldn't been any sweeter. I am very lucky to FINALLY find a loving family. I know I will be there for years to come.
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Bonus this year (2011): $150
Weekly salary: $490 after taxes, 32 hours/wk.
Supplementary gifts: A Kindle Fire, Christmas Ornament from the kids.
Length of time I have worked for family: 6 months.
Location: Birmingham, Michigan, US
Comments: Loved the present! They were very thoughtful and i'm so happy to be working with them!
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Bonus this year (2011): $100
Weekly salary: $500
Supplementary gifts: candle set, macy's gift card.
Length of time I have worked for family: 10mo.
Location: N.C.
Comments: 2 kids, I work so hard and had kind of expected more of a bonus but they're a nice family.
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Bonus this year (2011): $1700
Our Nanny's weekly salary: $850
Supplementary gifts: small $10-20 gifts from all 3 kids and about $50 gift from us.
Length of time our Nanny has worked for family: Our nanny has been with us for four years.
Location: Manhattan
Comments: As an aside, we are moving so our nanny is also ending her employment with us during this holiday season. We are giving 4 weeks salary (one week per year of employment) as severance. We also gave our nanny 4-6 weeks notice which is as much as we had. I also posted for her in several places, including the $75 for babybitesnyc and have helped her find a new job.
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Bonus this year (2011): $2000
Weekly salary: $700 (FT)
Supplementary gifts: 2 tops from my favorite store, giftcard for the movies (not sure of the amount)
Length of time I have worked for family: almost 2 years.
Location: Los Angeles
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Bonus this year (2011): No cash bonus
Weekly salary: $250 - 15 hour work week.
Length of time I have worked for family: 4 years and 4 months.
Location: Houston, TX USA
Comments: My employers took me out for lunch (never did that before), and gave me a card with basketball tickets! I am a sports fan but have never gone to a professional game so it was a super sweet surprise! I also received 2 weeks off paid holiday as I have the past four years. I work for an absolutely wonderful family. I have never been given bonuses, but they have been generous in so many ways that make me appreciate how fortunate I am. For example, I never ever have to worry that I will not be paid 52 weeks a year, and have received time off paid between 6-12 weeks each year. I also received 3 gift cards and makeup from a couple of other families who I sit for as needed. Overall, I am truly just appreciative and feel very blessed to work with very wonderful people :)
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Bonus this year (2011): $0
Weekly salary: $375
Supplementary gifts: A $50 gift card to a local movie theater. Oh, and you know those bath sets everyone gets for Christmas and no one actually likes? MB got one from a neighbor, left it on the kitchen counter for a week, and then gave me one of the lotions with my gift card. . . . Yay.
Length of time I have worked for family: Only since mid-July.
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Comments: I don't want to sound bratty. I know I've only been with this particular family since the middle of the summer. I wasn't expecting anywhere near my normal bonus (which has always been a full weeks pay in the past 5.5 years I've been a professional Nanny). I definitely thought I'd get about a hundred bucks though. Especially when MB kept emailing me links to $300 doll houses when she was trying to decide on what to get her 3 year old. I hate that I sound so bratty, but I work long hours, I'm underpaid,** never** paid on time, and even though I'm told weekly how much they appreciate me it's moments like this when I feel completely unappreciated.
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Bonus this year (2011): $0
Weekly salary: $25-40 a week.
Supplementary gifts: none.
Length of time I have worked for family: 3 months.
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Comments: Technically I am not a nanny, but a babysitter, although I consider myself a nanny, not a babysitter. I did expect a little something, but I am OK with not getting anything. If I worked FT or more hours as a nanny, and didn't get anything, I may have a different view. I also work in a childcare center and received very nice gifts from some of the children in my after school program: Victoria' Secret gift set, a keepsake ornament, Target gift card, a homemade bird feeder, Bath and Body works lotion, vodka, and Peanuts collectible figurine. (I am obsessed with Snoopy.) Although I didn't get the gifts other nannies received (thinking back to past holiday surveys where nannies got cars, gas cards, a wallet full of gift cards, furniture for a new apartment and generous cash bonuses) I am grateful for A and her family. Mom is great and we get along very well. Other teachers at my childcare center may have received more gifts, but I am OK with that. I feel blessed to have my job because my boss is amazing and has gone out of her way for me numerous times in the three years I have been there. The children in the center, along with those in the after-school program are amazing, as are their families. They mean the world to me and the best gift I could get is what I receive year round: the love of the children and the appreciation expressed throughout the year.
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Bonus this year (2011): $350, which I truly did not expect and am incredibly grateful for.
Weekly salary: $675 for less than 40 hours a week.
Supplementary gifts: substantial gift cards to Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and Bloomingdale's. I also got socks and slippers from the cats and a beautiful photo of my little baby girls.
Length of time I have worked for family: a little over a month.
Comments: As an educated, experienced, "top notch" career nanny I was very much used to getting the best of everything including crazy gifts (laptops, vacations) and insane bonuses (up to $5,000) but last year I left my job and it took until last month to filter out the psychos (surviving on temp. and short time nanny gigs) and finally find a family that worked for me. As I just started the job and the economy is in the toilet I expected very little. I used to make $2000 per week but I am SO grateful for the job, the stability, and the money. I needed to suffer in order to be humble, and I did, and I am a different person. Kinder, wiser. Not so entitled. I would have been appalled at the "lack" of money from this bonus a few years ago, but now I think it is SO GENEROUS and I am SO GRATEFUL to have such generous, caring bosses who share so much. I am blessed.

Christmas Bonus Feature 2009, part II

PART II

Carlisle, Mass
Bonus this year: $600
Your Weekly Salary: $575 (under the table)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A wonderful card that brought me tears, and the most comfy pair of slippers from L.L. Bean!
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months
Could not ask for a better family to work for! They are very supportive, caring, and generous. The mom even baked cookies for me for my flight home to see my family!


Westchester County
Bonus this year: $500 + $1000
Your Weekly Salary: $900
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Two antique frames, each with a picture of a child inside, a HUGE gift basket with great products in it like JimmyJane, Earthworks, Voluspa, Millefiori, Pure Fiji, Kheil's, Seda France, Speziali Fiorentini, and more!
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 17 months
The family is super sweet. The father is focused on money spent out. He dispensed the bonus to me of $500. The mother said there was no way she was giving me a $500 bonus when I got a week's pay last year, so she gave me a separate envelope with this explanation and 1,000 cash. She also stated that she will be working on "the father" to get me a raise this year. They are both extremely likable people and they are raising great children.


Texas
Bonus this year: $2175
Your Weekly Salary: $725
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Reebok fitness shoes, a year membership to the ultra nice gym and some work out clothing.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 3 years


Washington DC
Bonus this year (2009): One week's pay
Your Weekly Salary: $810 gross
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: None
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 5 months
I was really surprised to receive an entire week's pay for my bonus. I know it's pretty standard, but I was expecting less since I've only been working for them for a short time. What I appreciated more than the money was how happy they were to give it to me. I work hard at my job so it was nice to feel so appreciated.


Intermountain area
Bonus: 0
Weekly Salary: 450 for 55+ hour weeks of childcare and house cleaning
Supplementary Gifts: $100 gift card from children
Time of employment: 1. 1/2 years
Not surprised that I didn't get a bonus, I haven't received a raise/bonus/anything since starting with this family. They didn't even acknowledge my birthday. Its okay though, I love the children that I nanny as if they were my own. I'm grateful for a job and that they allow me to live with them. Happy Holidays ISYN!


Chicago, IL
Bonus: $500
Weekly Salary: $575 gross
Supplementary Gifts: none as of yet, but hoping to get a card made by the kids
Length of time: I've worked for this family for about 21 months. They are wonderful and I frequently get random days off throughout the year, as well as little gifts. I couldn't be happier with my job and was very happy to receive the bonus.


The West Coast
Bonus this year: $100 cash
Your Weekly Salary: I'm hrly so it depends on how many hours I work. Average is about $500.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: none, not even a card even though I know they had some leftover and MB texted me to ask for my address.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 10 mos
I started working on a very personalized gift for the parents about 5 mos ago and they didn't even acknowledge it before they left the country for two weeks leaving me with a mostly unpaid "vacation." I also put a lot of time and thought into the kids gifts, and had them help me make stuff for the parents and grandparents. DB handed me the $100 as I was leaving on Friday. I felt like I was an afterthought. I am going to put the money toward a morning at a nearby day spa on Christmas Eve. Also, MB nickle and dimes me every week even though I drive her kids around (and sometimes the parents) on my dime. Overall they are OK people to work for...not very "warm and fuzzy" but just OK. They don't micromanage. They say they are happy with me which makes me think they like me more than I like them. The kids are nice though. I am looking for another job because I don't think we'll ever see eye to eye on the unpaid vacation/sick time thing.


Denver, CO
Bonus this year: $0
Weekly salary: $13/hour before taxes (I work between 18 and 35 hours/week depending on the week)
Supplementary gifts: a necklace and a random gift certificate to some obscure store I've never heard of for $30
Length of time you've worked for the family: 6 months
From day one I've busted my ass going above and beyond, always staying late when asked or coming early. Dealing with the CONSTANT late arrival of the parents at the end of my day without a phone call and so much more. I'm beyond frustrated with the situation but am sticking it out because of the flexibility since I'm in school. I've been a nanny for 6 years and never once been treated with such little respect. Sorry just needed to rant!

Upper Saddle River, NJ
Bonus this year: $100
Weekly salary: $18/hour and I work about 30 hours a week.
Supplementary gifts: this is bad. I got one of those foot spas you soak your feet in. The only thing is, about 4 months ago, my employer bought one, used it and had the housekeeper clean it up so she could return it. She stated at that time, "that's not worth $40". So not only do I have a gift I'll never use, but my employer's feet have already contaminated it.
Length of time you've worked for the family: 8 months
I work for a super sleezy family in NJ. They have a ton of money and pay everything in cash. They pay my salary in cash. They buy cars and vacations in cash. The woman I work for is orange from fake tans, has a thick Jersey accent and likes to talk about how she has the best ass in Saddle River. It would have been very easy for Mr. pockets full of cash to hand me more than a single hundred dollar bill. I have to say, that pissed me off. I watched them both hand out wads of cash as tips to busdrivers, garbage men, drycleaners, and the guys who shovel driveways. Wads of cash. I don't know why I was singled out for this meager bonus.


Austin, TX
Bonus this year: $250
Your Weekly Salary: $500 for 40 hours, but I usually get a bit more than that.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Frame ornament with a picture of the baby, $15 iTunes gift card, very nice set of notecards
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 3 months
I tried hard to keep my hopes down because I haven't had the job very long. I was ready to be happy with just a small token and no bonus at all, so I'm very pleased it worked out this way. :)


NY, NY
Bonus: $300 Visa Gift Card
Weekly Salary: $300 ( part time)
Supplementary Gifts: None
Length of Employment: 9 months.
I'm part time student and was expecting more since I'm attending graduate school for social work this January. Honestly, I pretty much received no bonus because I'm not being paid for the "vacation" time I'm taking 27th to the 4th. Both parents will be home and they have no need for me but I'm sure they didn't think of that. Pretty much they just gave me a week of pay and called it even. I bought the 2 children ages 6 and 11 gifts. I would have preferred the $300 cash since I'll be using the money to pay the bills because I don't get paid vacation not even during the holidays. The 6 year old had huge behavior problems and I put up with his abusive behavior and this is the thanks I get. I'm grateful that I have a job but now its time for look for a new one. :(


Madison, WI; 2 jobs
Job 1 :
Bonus: $50
Weeekly salary: $225 cash
Gifts: photo of child, $40 Border Gift Certificate
Length of employment: 4 months

Job 2:
Bonus : $40
Gifts: None
Salary: $100-$200/week
Length of Employment: 6 months
I am happy with what I got. I wasn't expecting anything and didn't want to get my hopes up. The last family I worked for gave me $150 as a bonus after working for them for four months. I do not work for wealthy families so I do not expect them to have the means to give me a huge bonus. I am just greatful to be employed. The first family I work for I work M-F frow 3-6 and the second family I work for I work MW from 9:00-1:00


Manhattan, UES
Bonus this year: $4,000
Weely Salary: $1300 a week on avg, after taxes.
Supplementary gifts: Lots of things for my baby. I am 5 months pregnant. A britax carseat, a Bumbleride stroller, and a beautiful hand, decorated bassinet and a generous gift certificate to Babies N Bellies so I can get some maternity clothes.
Time with the family: 3 years
They are always generous, but I usually get two weeks pay for a bonus. I think they were extra generous this year because I have a baby coming and lots of expenses. Which, for those of you who work for wealthy employers; it's kind of a rare thing for them to be able to put themselves in your shoes and imagine what would best suit you. Everything I was given was so thoughtful. I hate to say I have come to expect their generosity, but it has been three years and I hope they have come to expect that I am generous with everything I have to give to them and their children. I think we have a mutually fulfilling relationship. Am I grateful? To the nines!


Kansas
Bonus this year: none
Weely Salary: $400/wk after taxes, 10 days full vacation, and full health insurance
Supplementary gifts: So many things! Purses, Bath and Body products in my favorite scents, pictures of the kids, a new computer, new printer, supplies for the new computer and printer, books, candles, etc. Amazing presents!
Time with the family: Right about two years
The family I work with is so generous and I absolutely love working for them. They make me feel appreciated all year and shower me with gifts throughout. I am such a lucky nanny.

Minneapolis, MN
Bonus: 400
Weekly Salary: 500
Supplementary Gifts: An ornament with my dogs name, and Christmas decorations. (I had told them earlier in the year that I didn't have any.)
Length of Employment: A little over a year.
I couldn't ask for a nicer family to work for, and I love "my" kids!

Unknown
Bonus this year: $450 cash
Weekly salary: $450 on the books + $50 cash to make up for the taxes, then $15/hr cash for anything over 30 hours
Supplementary gifts: None
Length of time you've worked for the family: 4 months
I am really, really grateful that I got a bonus. I've been wondering lately if I misjudged the family when I first interviewed with them, because lately they have been less-than-respectful with regards to informing me about the hours that they need me to work. I was worried that they were just starting to completely take me for granted, and that the next 6 months (I verbally agreed to stay through the end of the school year, and I intend to keep that promise) would be awful. But the bonus makes me hopeful that they might appreciate me after all, or at the very least it makes me not regret taking the job.


Northwest D.C.
Bonus: $75
Weekly Salary: $425 cash
Gifts: a really sweet card
Length of time: 1 month
I worked Christmas day. I was scheduled to work 5 hours, and only worked 3. I'm not sure if the $75 was for a bonus or if it was for working Christmas. I really appreciate it, because I haven't been working for them long. They pay me for 40 hrs no matter what, and so far I haven't worked 40 hours. I get many days off, which I appreciate :).


San Diego, CA
Bonus this year (2009): $200 cash
Your Weekly Salary: I work 100h/m and get paid biweekly $525
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: a vegan cookbook! I'm
Vegan and the mom is Vegetarian so we sometimes talk about recipes.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: since June 09
I'm a very happy nanny!


Virginia Two Jobs

Alexandria,VA

Occasional Sitter(few hours per week)

Bonus:$500

Weekly Salary: $100.00

Gifts: Nice Framed picture of Kids

Ceramic painted art from each of the kids

Length of Employment: 4 years

Arlington,VA

PT:20 hrs. per week

Bonus:$3,000

Salary:$600.00

Gifts: 6 bottles of wine and $300 gift card to my favorite clothing store

Length of Employment:15 years

I work hard and even without these wonderful gifts I know I am appreciated!

Houston, TX
Bonus: $0
Weekly Salary: $225 for 12-15 hours a week
Gifts: $50.00 gift card to a cinema/restaurant
Length of Employment: 2 years and 3 months
I work for a really great family and love my job. I don't have a contract (do pay taxes, but my employers pay my portion so I still get full salary), but I have never had any issues with payment, and have 3 weeks paid vacation, holidays, and any days off that I ask for without having to keep count of them. The last two Christmas' I received $25 gift cards, so having received a $50 gift card this year was actually a surprise. I know I'm expected to get a bonus as a 'standard', but until I came on this site, that never even crossed my mind, so I certainly don't harbor any resentment. I also babysit on an occasional/as needed basis for several local families and received two cash gifts, a $25.00 gift card, and an Ipod with I-Tunes gift card. I feel very blessed this holiday season.


Chicago, Il
Bonus: $1200
Weekly Salary: $600
Supplementary Gifts: Victoria's Secret lingerie, bras and underwear. All in my correct size. Slippers from Fredericks of Hollywood that have a stiletto heel. Chocolate body powder.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months
I'm single and a live-in. Nice stuff, but weird.


Reisterstown, MD
Bonus: $200
Weekly Salary: $580 (before tax)
Supplementary Gifts: $50 gift card to olive garden for my boyfriend and I.


Westchester County
Bonus: $750
Weekly Salary: $750
Supplementary Gifts: a set of Berghoff Chef Knives
Length of time you have worked for the family: 6 months
*I am not a chef, nor do I enjoy cooking. Cooking dinner for the family is one of the chores that has been gradually slid on to me until I know am fairly in charge of dinner four nights a week. The knives are a slap in the face. I mean, she bought them for me to use here in her home to cook for her. This small act has me fuming. Plotting revenge and dreaming of leaving this job, truth be told jobs as nannies are in short supply now so I'll suck it up. But I wouldn't eat the mulligatawny, if I were you.


Seattle, WA

Bonus this year: 1200.00

Weekly Salary: 770.00

Gifts: not sure yet- we are gifting late this year because the family left for vacation early. I Am fairly certain a book is involved, as I am a constant reader.

Length of time you have worked for the family: 8 months

I was not expecting such a huge bonus at my new job! I called my MB and thanked her, with tears in my eyes. They have had nanny issues in the past and it seems they are grateful for some stability for their little girl. I love my job=)

Unknown #2
Bonus: 0
Weekly Salary: $350
Supplementary Gifts: nothing, not even a card :(
Length of Employment: 2 months
I didn't expect a bonus because I haven't been with the family long but I was a little upset and disappointed I didn't even get a card or token gift. I gave a book to my charge and he and I made cookies and a card for his parents together. It also bothered me because when the mother was getting her card list together, I saw that she had bought a box of cards from Neiman Marcus so I was kind of expecting to receive one. However, I did get 3 days off paid Christmas week and they said I'll probably get 2 or 3 days off paid for New Year's week.


Arlington, MA
Bonus this year: $500 cash (though $170 is from an unused sick day).
Your Weekly Salary: $680 gross (40 hours)
Any supplementary gifts aside from the bonus: A nice card from the family.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 12 months
I'm thankful for my bonus this year. I work for an amazing family. I never work late, and if they are late I get $20/hour overtime (even if just 10 minutes). I have 4 weeks of paid vacation, health insurance, use of their car, and paid sick days. They are an amazing family and I'm looking forward to more time with them! Oh, and I have a $2.50/hour raise coming up soon with the new baby!


Sammamish, WA; 2 families
Family #1
Bonus: $100
Weekly salary: $125
Gifts: Box of chocolates and a card
Length of employment: 9 months

Family #2
Sammamish, WA
Bonus: $100
Weekly salary: $135
Gifts: A warm shirt
Length of employment: 3 months
I won't say that I wasn't hoping for a bonus of some type, but I was thinking cookies and maybe $20, perhaps even $50, or prepaid movie tickets, like past families I've worked for. I like cards and cookies, especially Garfield, and am bit of a movie buff. I thought in the end my gifts to their respective children would likely cost more than any bonus and that was fine with me. But I was wrong, both gave $100. I was grateful and put it all to good use as my adorable and some not-so-adorable cousins will see later today. Ah, but the best gift, aside from hugs naturally, was the knowledge that came to light - family two may want to go full-time. :)


Seattle area
Bonus: $500
Weekly Salary: $800
Supplementary Gifts: An embosser for books (From the library of...), some seals for the embosser, and a couple pairs of socks.
Length of Employment: 1 year, 4 months
I also got $1,500 when we renewed my contract in September. I love the embosser. It is such a personal gift, since the mother knows I love books and reading. And the socks will become a tradition, I think. I always wear socks with some kind of design on them and I got socks last Christmas, too. The family I work for is unbelievably generous, and I am more than pleased with my gifts.


Harrison, NY
Bonus: $1500
Weekly Salary: $835
Supplementary Gifts: They bought me my plane ticket to fly home for Christmas back in November and said, "this is your Christmas gift". I flew home on December 23. On December 22, they gave me more gifts. An entire set of brown and pink luggage and 2 pairs of unique converse. I was in shock!
Length of Employment: 1 year, 4 months
My boss also gave me a Jill Stuart bag, but she just handed it to me because someone had given it to her and she didn't like it. The day I left on 12/23, there was another gift, a fancy bag with a bottle of wine to take home to my family.


Texas
Bonus: 196.59 in various gift cards
Weekly salary: 500 for 50 hours
Supplementary Gifts: HA! yeah right
Length of employment: 2 yrs 3 months
All the gift cards were gift cards they got throughout the last couple of years from other people. How do I know? Because they just hired someone to orginize the house and the person came to me and said "Wow they have a TON of gift cards" and starts listing them off one by one and mentioning how much each are worth....some of the same cards I now have. Then she says "She told me those are all gift cards she has had for a while and doesn't know what to do with them." I would assume the card that has 36.59 on it was for something she returned to the store without a receipt so they gave her a gift card instead. They have plenty of money to buy a brand new high end SUV with all the bells and whistles, hire a professional organizer, an interior decorator, someone to replace and refinish the kitchen cabinets, someone to install the Christmas lights, a lavish trip in Utah to ski, another lavish trip to New York City, another one to Hawaii, and another one to the Florida Keys but not enough to give the nanny something other than unwanted gift cards. The monetary value means nothing to me, it's the fact that I mean nothing more to them than a bunch of gift cards they don't want and that have been collecting dust for a couple of years, the same nanny that has only called in sick 3 times since I started working, the nanny that is always willing to pitch in and help with household chores, the nanny that invites the oldest over to the neighbors house when I'm babysitting just because I know the kids get along. The nanny that offers to watch the oldest on a day he is supposed to go to pre-school so that he can play with some friends he hasn't seen in months, the nanny that always ends up staying late because the father can't seem to get home on time. I'd much rather have a homemade card from the oldest than the gift cards....gift cards by the way that I will never use because they are all to restaurants and stores that I never go.


Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bonus: $250
Weekly Salary: $500
Gifts: None
Length of employment: 6 months
Modest bonus despite sticking me on health insurance, taxes and over-time. And they have more excess (for themselves) than anyone I know.


San Antonio, Tx
Bonus this year: 400..
Which honestly I didn't even want to take! This family gives me so much during the year but I'm very thankful for it.
Your Weekly Salary: I work 3 days in the week from 8 to 5.. (Salary??)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus:
Never Ending supply of Purell (that I LOVE more then anything), Betsey Johnson Watch (orange), a Hermes keychain from Paris, France. (me & my charge exchange keychains everytime we take a trip.. Who else does that?)
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 14 months


Massachusetts
Bonus: $1000
Weekly salary: 690 (before taxes)
Supplementary Gifts: Ugg slippers, 100 dollars in gift cards on my birthday and a big handmade poster from the kids
Length of employment: 2 years


In NY
Bonus: I can't find it. Lord knows I looked.
Weekly salary: 745 dollar per week
Gifts: A Christmas card from the five year old, handmade and a box of fudge with walnuts-which I hate.
Length of employment: 11 months


Houston Texas
Bonus: 0
Weekly salary: 358 after taxes
Gifts: book, cd, $14 necklace
Length of employment: 18 months


Atlanta, GA
Bonus this year: $500 cash
Your Weekly Salary: $750 gross (varies slightly due to overtime), plus half my health insurance and they provide me with a car and pay for all car-related expenses.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A framed photo and a really sweet card.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 10 months
I was really surprised by this generous bonus. Given the economy -- and the fact that I've seen my employers work hard to reduce spending and cut costs whenever possible -- I was anticipating something much smaller. My employers also took this opportunity to give me some very sincere, detailed positive feedback. I was already very happy at this job, but I feel even more grateful now to have found such wonderful employers.


Unformatted
Marin County, CA
I think I might work for the most generous family an the face of the planet. I have been with them for almost four years and we live in Marin County, California.I am their Nanny, Household Manager and Personal Assistant. My salary is directly deposited into my checking account each thursday at midnight and after taxes is $897.00. I have a full professional benefit package - 2 weeks paid vacation, paid holidays and sick days and my own choice of health insurance. I have received raises totaling 6% since the beginning of my employment. I work with a professional contract and we were brought together by a wonderful Nanny Agency. Every Christmas there is a cash bonus of $1,000 with a heartfelt card. But it is what they do during the year to demonstrate their appreciation that makes me feel as if I am the most valued employee.

In the first year of my employment (They had one child then) there were numerous cards of thanks of things that they felt I had done that went above and beyond my job description with gift cards to Banana Republic ($500.00), Benefit ($200.00) and the Mother's and my mutual favorite clothing store. ($300.00) For Christmas that year, they also gave me a video ipod.

The week of my second employment anniversary (they had just had baby #2) I turned 40 and they gave me the day off with pay along with a day of spa treatments. It was divine. As with the previous year, I would receive unexpected tokens of thanks from time to time that never failed to make me feel wonderful. The mother also sent me on several occasions to my favorite hair stylist for beautiful highlights. I was always overjoyed and stunned with her generosity.

Two weeks after my second employment anniversary, I went through an unexpected and extremely painful separation. My only salvation was that my employers insisted that I move at once into their guesthouse and work through my transition to a new home at my own pace. They let me live with them rent free for six months until I found my dream home. They refused to accept rent, which here in Marin County, California would have been at least $1000.00 a month, plus utilities. Instead we worked out some additional childcare time I could give them, some overnights, and some extra early mornings. It was during this time that we discovered that their accountants had not correctly calculated my withholding for the second year in a row. The first year, aghast that I owed some $3000+ I simply made a payment plan with the IRS. My employers were very upset that the situation had not yet been corrected and they insisted on giving me a check to pay what I owed, and hired a new accountant. When it came time for me to move they also insisted on gifting me with professional movers.

My third anniversary of employment came at a difficult personal time for me. In addition to the separation I was still coming to terms with, I was also grieving the death of one of my most favorite people - the parent that I had begun my Nanny career with, who was like a second father to me. I had seen him the day before his death and was shocked at his passing, and devastated that he had left behind two teenage girls - my first charges - who I loved and still had a very close relationship with. To say that I dropped the ball on my job responsibilities is an understatement. I was forgetful, distracted, and on more than one occasion, late for work with an obvious hangover. We had a serious meeting where I was told, straightforwardly, yet with obvious affection, to my shit together. I knew I could have been fired, with any other family I might have been fired, but by this time we were determined as parents and Nanny together to be a team raising their growing family. (They were now pregnant with #3) I pulled it together at once, counting my blessings and determined never again to let my personal life affect my job performance. They still gave me my generous Christmas bonus with a card thanking me for all that I do for them. Three months later the Mom gave me a beautiful ring, telling me it was my gift for the new baby, as I was going to be Mommy #2. (I must add that I have been infertile since childhood and became a Nanny to have the experience of raising children. This very beautiful gift brought me to tears.) I was so grateful that they had not given up on me during my time of personal turmoil. My bonus for taking such good care of the Mom during her postpartum period was another thrilling hair treatment - this time the new keratin straightening technique. I was in heaven.

And now here we are at another holiday season, and coming up on my forth anniversary of employment. I feel so grateful to be in a profession that I love and find so fulfilling, with employers that I adore, who in return make me feel valued each and every day. If it really takes a village to raise our children, I am thrilled to be a member of their village.

Unknown #3
I received an ornament and a gift card 50$ what a laugh.
Been watching girls for 4years.
My birthday was a fruit basket.
I spent a lot on the girls because I wanted to.

2008 Holiday Bonus Feature - Part II

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

To read part I of the Holiday Bonus Feature 2008, please click here.

Part II
1) Bonus this year: 600
Your Weekly Salary: 600
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: at first glance it was just a clever looking wallet, no name brand. I opened it and all of the slots were full of gift cards. Nothing outrageous, $25 Starbucks, $50 Gap, $25 Chili's, $50 American Express, $25 Bath and Body, $25 Walgreen's, $25 Blockbuster. I thought it was a really nice gift. There was also one of every coin in the coin purse and in the money part, there was a twenty, a five, and a one dollar bill. I thought it was really thoughtful and it will last me a while.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 10 months
City, State and Country: New Albany, OH


2) Bonus this year: $500
Your Weekly Salary: $550 for 35 hours a week
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Picture of the children
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 16 months.
City, State and Country: Philadelphia PA
* They are wonderful to work with and their kids and lovely.


3) Bonus: $1000.00
Weekly Salary: $875.00 (45 hour weeks)
Supplemental gift: A really sweet greeting card letting me know how much I mean to them as a family.
Length and time worked for Family: 2 years
City State and Country: Washington state
*I know most people don't think time off is considered a bonus but I also received the day before and the day after Christmas off too (paid). My bosses called me on Christmas day to wish me a happy holiday. I'm lucky that during this economy crunch I have a good job with children I love dearly.

4) Bonus this year: $1,000
Your Weekly Salary: $750 for what is supposed to be a 45 hour work week and ends up being much, much more. Getting overtime out of their rich bitch asses is like pulling teeth.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A re gifted gift bag that my employer had gone through and picked the better products out of.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 14 months.
City, State and Country: Outside LA
* The mother is an absolute nut job. Imagine Casey Anthony with millions in the bank. One time I left her with one of the children while I took the other to a public restroom and she had lost the other. The child was 4 years old. I went nuts. I was running all over, I contacted security, ran up to every adult I could find, literally ran around looking for the child and what did this mother do? She stood there and lit up a cigarette and looked completely put upon. The child was finally found by an employee twenty minutes later. The mother just looked at the child and through the child. I ran to the child and scooped the child up and hugged and kissed the child. The mother rolled her eyes and just continued to look bothered and pissed off. If she didn't have a nanny, she probbaly would have harmed or let harm come to her children. Her husband understands she is a narcissistic, self absorbed, whinny bitch and he tries to keep the peace in the house. This is especially hard when the mother is a raging psychotic who is often experimenting with mix and match pharmaceuticals. The father tries to do nice things for me and my husband throughout the year. He gives us tickets to premiers and things of the sort, has his secretary make us a nice dinner reservation or something. He tries, but what he really needs to do is kick the nasty bitch of a wife to the curb and marry a woman who has a modicum of compassion for children.


5) Bonus this year: 100
Your Weekly Salary: 550 (40 hours per week)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A really cute fleece sweatshirt I had mentioned getting for myself and a gorgeous Tiffany’s necklace.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: almost 2 months
City, State and County: Minneapolis MN.
*I was really happy to have gotten any bonus/gift at all considering the economy and the fact that I’ve only worked with the family for about 2 months. They are a great family to work for because the really respect my profession and me as a person.

6) Bonus: $3,000,
Salary: $1,200 before taxes
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: from the parents, a pair of theater tickets, gifts from the children, a basket of gourmet food items ( they know what I like, lol ), a photography book, a cashmere wrap, a toy for my cat.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 7 years
City, State and Country: NYC
*This is a dream job with a truly kind and loving family. I am grateful for the money and gifts, but even more for the way they make me feel valued and appreciated every day.


7) Bonus this year: $200
Your Weekly Salary: $675
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: none... not even a card
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 2 years
City, State and Country: Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota USA
*Side note: Last year I got a $550 bonus, a car, 3 candles, an awesome framed picture of the kids, and a "necklace" that the kids made. This year my bonus was more than halved, and I didn't even get a "merry Christmas". It hurt to not get a personal gift from the kids, and leaves me bewildered as to why my bonus shrunk so much. AND I know its not because of the economic times, as my bosses have NO trouble spending TONS of money on themselves and the kids.


8) Bonus this year: $500
Your Weekly Salary: $200 - Live-in
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Note pads, beauty stuff, photo album, mug with kid's pic.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1 year
City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA, USA


9) Bonus: $700 bucks cash!
Weekly Salary: $525 before taxes. I'm on the books, but no benefits.
Other Gifts: a week off paid (I get two a year). I got my two checks and the cash in a very nice card. I was totally floored. I was expecting maybe a $50 gift card. I opened the card on my way out, and I almost dropped it, I was so surprised.
Location: Chicago IL.
*I know this isn't as much as some people got, but I'm beyond happy. My father was laid off on Christmas Eve, so this will obviously be my best Christmas present.


1o) Bonus: $250 1st family $0 2ND family
Weekly salary: $450 1st family $200 2ND family after taxes
Gifts: none also only 2 paid days off for holidays with first family and none with 2ND even though being made to take 2 weeks off
Time worked: almost 1 year 1st family 4years 2ND family
Location: North Carolina
* I was very grateful for the bonus that I received from the first family and was not expecting as much as I did get. Their last nanny told me they only gave her $100 last year and I started right after Xmas. I did get the kids and parents of both families presents even though my families financial status made it so that my partner and I couldn't get each other anything. My second family not giving me anything hurt some as I have practically raised their little boys and love them like my own. Also the mandatory 2 weeks unpaid off the knew was going to really hurt us financially but didn't seem to care.

11) Bonus this year: $2,000
Your Weekly Salary: $500
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: $50 Spa GC, Ornament made by charges
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: Just over two years.
City, State and Country: Upstate/Central New York
*I'm 24, have a BA in Psychology, live-out and love my job. I'm a nanny for two: boy and girl, ages 4.5 and 6, with the 6 year old in full day Kindergarten. Three years ago, about 8 months before I became their nanny, their father passed away and MB works from the home while traveling a bit (it varies greatly how often she is traveling during the week that I work, she is home every weekend with her children). It's a unique situation, but it works - almost always like clockwork. We get along wonderfully and we have never stepped on each others toes. The kids love having her there when she can be and things run just as smoothly when she can't be there. I work hard every day to help this family, and to provide stability for these kids and have come to feel like a part of the family.


12) Bonus this year: $500
Your Weekly Salary: $500
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Earrings and bracelet
from the baby (worth $40)
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months, 35 hours/week
City, State and Country: Baltimore
*In our neighborhood I think this is a pretty high bonus -- she also
gets about four paid days off each month, since my own job has
generous leave -- but our nanny is great and I want to make sure she
feels well-rewarded. We have not been affected by the bad economy, but
even if we were, our nanny is the LAST place we would scrimp.


13) Bonus this year: $75
Your Weekly Salary: $270 for 27 hours
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: No other Gifts
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months
City, State and Country: Madison, WI 53590 USA
*I felt a little hurt that I didn't receive a card. I always think that the presents with thought behind them are the best. I am terribly jealous of the nannies who get huge bonuses. But I know the people that I work for are not wealthy by any means.


14) Bonus this year: $500 cash
Your Weekly Salary: $480- take home (47 hours/week)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: none
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 8 months
City, State and Country: Saint Paul, Minnesota
* 2 kids under age 3. I have 10 days paid vacation, all national holidays paid, AND I'm paid for every day I have off that I should be working... like Monday, Tuesday and Friday (Xmas week). I have no benefits, but have had a couple surprise bonuses- extra $20 to $100. My husband and I were invited to their home on Xmas Eve before our dinner plans. We had lots of fun- everyone was soooo warm!


15) Bonus this year: None
Weekly Salary: $450 per week- 45 hours per week.
Length of time you have been with the family: 8 months.
Location: I am in Baltimore County, Maryland.
* (For Christmas, I did not receive a bonus. :( I bend over backwards for these people! You name it, I do it. I did not even receive a card from them. I am not happy with this but I guess some people don't have a job right now. I do, but it is shitty. However, these people I work for can CLEARLY afford to pay me a week's salary as a bonus and I sure as hell deserve one. I base this on my attendance, my performance, my effort and my creativity with everything I do. IT is what it is. I spent a lot on gifts for them. I'm looking for a new job at this time. I'm feeling unappreciated at this time :( It will be their loss in the end.

16) Bonus this year: None
Your Weekly Salary: $13/hr gross average 12-15 hours a week
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A couple of DVD's that I had mentioned I loved but didn't own a couple of months back, and an awesome book that showed much thought and consideration in picking out.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 Months
City, State and Country: Orange County, California
*I was very happy with my gifts from the family. I felt they put a lot of effort into picking out personal gifts for me, which meant more to me than them going out and spending a bunch of money on something I would never want or use.


17) Bonus this year:$700.00
Your Weekly Salary:$700.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: a brand new laptop!
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 11 months.
City, State and Country: Westchester, New York.
*This is an especially thoughtful gift because she works in finance on Wall Street and he was recently laid off so their generosity was even more appreciated. I am incredibly lucky-and grateful. I also have from today until January 6Th paid and off. They are wonderful, and the 14 month old baby I take care of is the love of my life!

18) Bonus this year: $0
Your weekly salary: $400 (before taxes) for 55 hrs/week *live-in*
Any Supplemental Gifts Beside Bonus: A pink tool set from Target
Length of Time You Have Worked For The Family: 16 months
City, State: Boston, VA
*I have been working for this family for a while. Last year I received a lot more, but again, no bonus. I think the gift was thoughtful because last year I was looking all over for a pink tool set. At this point I am happy to have received something as I am leaving this position in a week. Overall they have been very generous over the time I have worked for them.


19) Bonus this year : $640
Weekly salary: $640 (after taxes)
Supplementary Gifts: A nice jacket and shirt and a Borders gift card (they know I love books)
Length of time: 2 years
Location: Westchester County NY
*I also gave presents to the children and parents. These were thoughtful gifts and they are generally thoughtful people. I feel fortunate now that I've seen a lot of nannies get nothing or next to nothing. I've received higher bonuses in past positions but am happy overall.


20) Bonus this year: $3,000
Weekly Salary: $560
Supplementary gifts: none
Length of time w/ family: 8 months
City state: Rochester, NY
*I am thrilled with my bonus! They gave me $1000 of it for Thanksgiving and then another $2000 for Christmas! They know that we are going through the adoption process and that we really needed some extra cash. They are extremely generous employers. Nannies in this area of the state rarely get a bonus at all, so I'm psyched!


21) Bonus this year: $500
Weekly Salary: $720
Supplementary Gifts: Three pairs of fun printed socks (their son always has to check out my socks when I walk in the door in the morning, so this was a gift from him)
Length of time with family: four months
City, State: Redmond, WA
*I was happy with my bonus. I wasn't sure what to expect, since this is my first Christmas with them, and I haven't even been with them for half a year yet.


22) Bonus this year: $1100
Your Weekly Salary: $550
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: An adorable ornament, and a very sweet card. Oh, and a gift for my niece and nephew.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 19 months.
City, State and Country: Suburban Chicago, Illinois, USA
* My employers are probably some of the sweetest people I've ever met, they've been such an amazing force in my life.


23) Bonus this year: 5,000 dollars
Your Weekly Salary: $1400.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: White & yellow gold heart with diamonds from a jewelry store in town, basket of L'Occitane Skincare products, Golden Goose motorcycle boots, IPhone and IPhone service, cherry chocolates, 3 pictures of the children in intricate, antique frames.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 3 years months
City, State and Country: Westchester County, NY
* I work for the most wonderful, classy people you would ever want to meet. Aside to my bonus and the wonderful gifts, they are consistently kind to me throughout the year, treat all service people with tact (ask all people to call them by their first name), they are generous, do a lot of charity work and the children are involved in charity products. They are thoughtful and doting parents, hard working people with great hearts and an excess of integrity. I am happy to be part of such a wonderful family. I hope some of their attributes rub off on me.


24) Bonus this year: 300
Your Weekly Salary: 470
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: haven't received it yet
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months
City, State and Country: Indianapolis, IN, USA


25) Bonus this year: $100.00- earlier in the year
Weekly salary: $500.00/ 45 hours/week live-out
Other gifts: Nice matching hat, gloves and scarf, $40 gift card for a favorite store and one other gift coming after the holidays.
Length of time with the family: This January,it will be one year
City, county or state: Michigan
* I am very thankful to be with this family. They have been nothing but wonderful and very generous. One of the best families I've ever worked with, in a long time.

26) Bonus this year: $400
Your Weekly Salary: $600
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A Christmas Card, Pictures of the kids, a calendar, and a photo frame... and an extra week off at Christmastime...
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1 year
City, State and Country: Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota USA
*Please note that I have a GREAT job, with TONS of paid vacation, and my family LOVES and APPRECIATES all that I do and it shows in more ways than just monetarily.

27) Bonus this year: 250
Your Weekly Salary: 675
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: nothing
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 19 months
City, State and Country: Twin Cities, Minnesota USA
*Note: last year my bonus was quite a bit larger, and I felt much more appreciated than I do at this time.


28) Bonus this year: 50 dollar bill
Your weekly salary: 650.00 per week
Any supplementary gifts aside from the bonus: 3 packs of travel kleenex, 1 pack of office copy paper, a ten pack of black pens (stolen from an office?) and what looks to be the free gift that came with an Estee Lauder purchase (that I was not given).
Length of time you have worked for the family: 3 tumultuos years
City, State and Country: Chicago, Il. USA


Out of Format:
29)
I make $18/hourly for my first 40 hours, $27/hour overtime (on the books) and work between 40 and 55 hours a week. I've been with my current employers approximately 8 months. I received Christmas week off (paid), as per my contract and... That's all folks. I am in the North Jersey area but decline to give my specific city. And, yes, I'm disapointed. I do not expect bonuses but am an outstanding, experienced nanny and would have expected at least a card!


30)
I received $500. and a gift basket with all products I use and love from one family (I work 2 days a week for them and make $260. a week) and $200. and some perfume from the other family (I work 2 days for them and make $260. a week from them). The other family ( I work 1 day and make $130.00) gave me a selection of bubble bath. I have been with all the families for over 4 yrs. The family that gave me bubble bath has never in the 4 years given me a Christmas bonus. They make more $$ in 1 month than my other 2 families make all year. I kid you not. I love all 3 families and their children, but have always been perplexed by the one mothers lack of gift giving skills. I also do the most around the house at the house where I was given bubble bath. I change the kitty litter boxes (there are 3), its the only time they ever get changed. I clean up and do dishes and take out the trash etc. BTW, this is my last month there...after 4 yrs, I am moving on. Im in California.


31)
Hi,
I have been at my current job for 15 months
Bonus this year: $300.00 cash plus $200 gift certificate to a clothing store
part-time 20 hours a week $320 for a 21 month old adorable girl
Place: Colorado
this is what I have received throughout the year:

Ipod Nano for my birthday
Chocolates
Piano bench
Jewelry box
Wooden picture frame
A really nice messenger bag
$320 gift certificate to hotel/restaurant Plus $200.00 Cash (bonus last Christmas)
$100 for Spring Break
$100 Zappos gift certificate for Valentine's Day
Ralph Lauren scarf
Facial for Mother's Day
Leather bag
$100 just because!
5 private pilates sessions
*The people I work for are so nice and so appreciative of me. I love my job and I adore the little girl. We have lots of laughs when we are together!

Thanks to all who participated. If you didn't get a chance to leave your response to the bonus survey, please use the comments section to share your details. Click here to read part one of the survey. If you have an idea for a future ISYN feature, please email Jane.