Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Our nanny has been with us for a year now and watches our one toddler full time. I wasn't sure what to get her for Christmas or how much to spend. Cash seemed lame, so I bought a $100 gift card to a store she goes to often, and a perfume gift set. Is this cheesy? Too cheap? Any opinions from girls who are or used to be nannies?

Message edited 12/21/2009 12:11:53 PM.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good?

I've been asking around and the consensus seems to be 1-2weeks pay. (2 weeks for mommies in the city, 1 week for the boroughs).

I'm not sure what the going rate in LI, but I was shocked at how it was!!

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good?

I always do one week's pay and in asking around was told that was the norm. I also give a gift from DS (this year I spend a little over $100).

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good?

Posted by jambalady

I've been asking around and the consensus seems to be 1-2weeks pay. (2 weeks for mommies in the city, 1 week for the boroughs).

I'm not sure what the going rate in LI, but I was shocked at how it was!!

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Posted by ChilisWife

Posted by jambalady

I've been asking around and the consensus seems to be 1-2weeks pay. (2 weeks for mommies in the city, 1 week for the boroughs).

I'm not sure what the going rate in LI, but I was shocked at how it was!!

OMG! One week's pay is like almost $500, that is crazy insane! I guess I will have one very disappointed nanny!

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I most definitely can't afford a full week's pay. I'm giving a cash gift, a meaningful ornament, and a gift for her granddaughter (She watches her 15mo old granddaughter and DS together)

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Standard is at least a weeks pay. Either way, cash is always the way to go I think.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

She gets paid for holidays that she has off, including 2 days this week and 2 days next week! Plus she often leaves early and we still pay her the same.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

As a former nanny I would say cash is always better when it comes to nannies.
I would say 1 week pay is standard. IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT. If not I would def do at least $100 in cash and maybe a GC ....

Message edited 12/21/2009 1:04:30 PM.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I do one weeks pay. We have a babysitter in her home.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

$50 cash (which is actually a little bit more than 1 week since DS is only at the sitter about 5-10 hrs per week) and I got a little toy for her son.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I always consult my Emily Post Etiquette guide book when it comes to Q's like this. Here is a link to her website about holiday gifts:

EMILY POST

Message edited 12/21/2009 2:50:31 PM.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

My first idea is one week's pay. Obviously that is if you can afford it. If you can't you do what you can. I think what you got is a nice gift.

IMO I would consider 1 weeks pay like a Christmas bonus more than a gift. So I think your gift is a very nice gesture.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I know I am in the minority here, but I don't give a weeks pay. I only pay her $200 a week (she watches DS in her home) and give her $150 gift card. I think a weeks pay is ALOT of money regardless of how much you pay weekly.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I think a weeks pay (or close to it) is too much for a part time babystitter...
BUT for a full time nanny it's more than fair. Especially if they have been with you for almost a year or more. And if they are doing a great job. Being a nanny is a hard job and finding a good nanny who really , honestly cares about your children is very hard as well , so giving them one week's pay (if you can afford it) as a bonus/xmas gift (whatever you want to call it) I think should not be a big deal.
This is JMO

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Mine has been with me for a few mths and I am giving her a coach bag, $50, paid week off.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Posted by pinkandblue

Posted by tatuka

I think a weeks pay (or close to it) is too much for a part time babystitter...
BUT for a full time nanny it's more than fair. Especially if they have been with you for almost a year or more. And if they are doing a great job. Being a nanny is a hard job and finding a good nanny who really , honestly cares about your children is very hard as well , so giving them one week's pay (if you can afford it) as a bonus/xmas gift (whatever you want to call it) I think should not be a big deal.
This is JMO

I love my sitter and she is great with my kids but I just cannot afford to give her a weeks pay...it ain't happening this year. I got her a GC, hope she likes it

Message edited 12/22/2009 9:35:18 AM.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I was a FT nanny in my early 20's making approx. 600/week. I would have NEVER expected 600 bucks...NEVER. With that said I would say I got about 200 in gifts and a lifetime of friendship which was GREAT!!!!!!!! Never thought twice. Give her what you can give. She will appreciate it!

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I gave $500 which is about a week's pay. I think regardless of what you can afford, most nannies like cash.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Posted by pinkandblue

Posted by tatuka

I think a weeks pay (or close to it) is too much for a part time babystitter...
BUT for a full time nanny it's more than fair. Especially if they have been with you for almost a year or more. And if they are doing a great job. Being a nanny is a hard job and finding a good nanny who really , honestly cares about your children is very hard as well , so giving them one week's pay (if you can afford it) as a bonus/xmas gift (whatever you want to call it) I think should not be a big deal.
This is JMO

I love my sitter and she is great with my kids but I just cannot afford to give her a weeks pay...it ain't happening this year. I got her a GC, hope she likes it

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

Our nanny has been with us for 3 years so she gets a week's pay. She has been getting that since she started. We are also giving her a few days off paid.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

IMO what youy got is a very nice gift and fine. A weeks pay seems like A LOT to me. Maybe enclose a card with a dspecial note telling her how much you appreciate her etc?

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

We give our nanny a week's pay (plus a little more) and this year, I also got her a gift from Crabrtee & Evelyn (about $40). I consider it a gift as well as a yearly "bonus". She is also off next week as one of her 2 weeks paid vacation.

Re: Holiday Gift for Nanny - is this OK or not so good? ETA: One week's pay? Really?

I gave mine one weeks pay.