How2Day: Gift Ideas for Daycare Workers

A gift is a wonderful way to say "thanks" to your caregiver for all she does. mother playing with her baby image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
Whether to celebrate an upcoming holiday, leaving the daycare or "just because," a small gift is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for your child's daycare workers. Caregiver gifts do not need to be expensive or extravagant. By combining various gift ideas, from homemade treats to gift certificates, you can give a personalized gift to your caregiver that she is sure to love.

Sometimes, a simple note of appreciation is a gift in itself. A parent can write a thank you note to the daycare worker to thank her for the job she does and to let her know how much the child enjoys being in her care. A child can contribute her own flourishes to the note as well by adding her own notes or a drawing. A younger child can include a handprint in the note.

Handmade items are some of the best heartfelt gifts. Involving your child in making the gift will not only make the gift more special but will also help to teach your child the joy of gift giving. A handpainted ornament, with your child's name, age and the current year, may become a cherished keepsake.

Food gifts such as a cake, cookies or fruit basket are a great way to say "thank you." Food gifts can be given to a large group of people at once without spending a lot of money or packaged individually for each person's individual preferences. Before giving a food gift, let your daycare provider know you would like to treat them and inquire about any preferences or allergies.

Gift certificates are a great way to allow your caregiver to treat herself during her time off and can be tailored for any budget. If you have lots to spend on a gift certificate, a full day at the spa may be in order. If you have a smaller budget, opt for a spa service such as a manicure. Cash gifts are always appreciated, and the amount can be tailored to your budget.

Personalized gift baskets are a great way to show your appreciation, can fit any budget and are a great way to present and combine a variety of gifts. Choose a theme for your basket to tie your gift together. For the coffee lover, a basket can include a mug, a bag of beans, homemade coffeecake and a gift certificate for her favorite coffee house. A Christmas basket might include personalized ornaments with your children's artwork, Christmas cookies and a heartfelt card with cash tucked inside.

If you are short on funds or time or simply want to give a bigger gift to your daycare workers, consider combining efforts with other parents at your daycare. Multiple parents can combine cash gifts to purchase something big for the caregivers such as a shared night out or equipment the center may need such as art supplies or updated play equipment.

How2Day