Your child’s daycare teacher and the daycare workers at the childcare center your child attends are important people in your family’s life but choosing a holiday gift for daycare employees are not always the easiest people to buy for. Though they provide weekly learning and fun for your child, these individuals are often the unsung heroes of your child’s world. Doesn’t that deserve recognition at the holidays?
When a popular online daycare worker community was interviewed and asked what they would like for the holidays from parents and guardians, the most common answer was recognition and thanks. A few mentioned the gift of a tip, or as most workers indicated, “Cash” but most said they simply wanted parents to tell them that they realize all the things they do for the children. Of course, if you want to go shopping for your daycare provider, here are ten great gifts for daycare workers:
1. Spa set – After a day of rambunctious preschoolers and busy babies, what better gift can you present to hard-working daycare providers than a spa package. Whether you choose to pay for a day of special treatment at the local pampering place or select a luxury spa gift from an online specialty shop like http://www.jackiesbaskets.com, the gift of relaxation and attention is one that all daycare providers will appreciate. The Luxury Spa set includes slippers, a spa towel, shower gel, bubble bath, body scrub, lotion, bath salt, hand and foot cream, and milk bath with a wooden scoop. All of it comes wrapped in cello in a white porcelain basin.
2. Fleece Throws are cozy and convenient. The Embroidery Superstore carries a full line of fleece blankets, an excellent gift that encourages an evening of winding down. For personalization or to add a customized message, consider embroidery service. Embroidery Superstore carries a huge line of fleece throws with many colors and styles.
3. A personalized sweatshirt or t-shirt with your children’s handprints is a nice way of recognizing the daycare provider’s affect on changing little lives. These items will be memorable items in the future when your children are grown. A loving handmade gift shows that you took the time to show your appreciation for the daycare provider’s time and efforts.
4. Thank you scented candles are usually something purchased as gifts for wedding attendants, but Westport Style at http://www.westportstyle.com has a full line of thank you items in the willow tree series including a petite 4″ vanilla scented “Most Sincerely Thank You Candle.” This small ceramic box is just the right size to make a statement of heartfelt gratitude, and comes in a pink, white, and blue bird and heart motif.
5. Sending your daycare provider flowers through Proflowers or FTD is a way to treat your child’s daycare worker with the special attention she deserves. Send fresh cut arrangements through FTD’s online website for even same day delivery. What better way to show your appreciation than with the gift of a live plant or flowers? The Basket of Cheer is full of bright flowers in bright colors.
6. Pmall, the personalization mall, offers a special daycare teacher mousepad, mug, and apparel line. Just choose a style and size and indicate the personalization desired. The mousepad is probably one of the cutest items available in the line.
7. Restaurant gift cards mean a little more than “Go have a bite to eat.” Your daycare provider can enjoy a night off without having to cook for her family with the thoughtful expression of gift cards to her favorite restaurant. Be sure to buy enough cards to feed your daycare provider’s entire family.
8. An art supplies gift certificate shows your daycare provider that you are aware of the dedication they have to your child. Whether you choose to buy a Wal-mart gift card or one for a specialty craft shop like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s Craft Store, the card is a lovely expression. With the card, your daycare provider can buy art supplies for herself to enjoy or items for her daycare class to use creatively.
9. Child Magazine is a wonderful magazine stuffed full of developmental information, childcare hints, craft and activity ideas, humor, and in depth articles about little ones. When your daycare worker is looking for an interesting read, chances are she’s too busy to take on an entire novel, but she can likely find a few minutes for a quick article during nap time.
10. A whoops basket seems like a funny item to give to a hard-working daycare provider, but when it’s a Rubbermaid laundry basket full of cleaning supplies and a special poem, many daycare providers can’t help but giggle. Take a laundry basket and fill it with items like trash bags, spray cleanser, Clorox wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, Comet, and window cleaner. Include the following poem:
Sometimes my little ones are messy,
And keep you jumping through Hoops
So here is a bunch of great items
To use when my wee ones say, “Whoops!”
Whether you choose to give your daycare provider a week’s worth of salary as a tip or bake them a couple dozen cookies, expressing your appreciation this holiday season is a necessity. Though many daycare workers interviewed last year expressed that a heartfelt note is enough of a gift, buying a token this holiday season is a wonderful way of showing your daycare provider how much you appreciate all they do. Happy Holidays!
