Gift Ideas for Nannies

Thanks to nanny services, your family has bonded with a nanny. They have become a part of your family. The nanny spends a lot of time with your family. You want to do everything you can to make sure they feel appreciated. You may think you do not need to get them gifts because they receive wages, benefits, and other compensation. Although it is not a necessity or requirement to give your nanny gifts, it is a nice sentiment.

What Nannies Do

The family nanny has an important role and has a lot of responsibilities. They should be treated as a valued employee and member of the family. Let us take a moment to remember some of the things our nannies do:

• Cooking
• Light household tidying
• Driving
• Wiping tears
• Kissing boo-boos
• Calming fears
• Helping with homework
• Provide age-appropriate entertainment 
• They may even help you with some duties such as laundry, running errands, or making phone calls

Nannies are not just sitting and watching your children. They are ensuring your kids are happy, healthy, and safe while they are caring for them. Yes, you do pay them, however, that does not:

• Show them how much you care
• Make them feel like they are part of the family
• Show them appreciation 
• Help them see what a great job they are doing
• Make them feel valuable 

Gift Occasions 

Gifts are a very appropriate way to show appreciation. But when is an appropriate time to give the person to whom you entrust your children a gift? Because of the special relationship a family and nanny share, there is no inappropriate time. 

• Welcome to the family
• Birthday
• Holidays 
• Thank you
• Get well soon
• I appreciate you
• Just because 
• Goodbye
• Condolences

Welcome to the Family

What better way to welcome your nanny to the family than by presenting them with a gift? Just as you were hiring them, they were deciding whether or not to work for your family. A gift is a way to say, thank you for choosing our family. It is also a great way to show excitement for the new relationship. So what do you get someone to welcome them to the family? Here are some ideas:

• Gift basket with self-care items:
• Lotion
• Bath salts
• Fuzzy socks
• Candle
• Chocolate
  
• Homemade gifts:
• Pictures children drew
• Friendship bracelet
• Picture frame
• Macaroni necklace
  
• Throw pillow
• Plant
• Coffee mug filled with candy or coffee
• Medal or trophy that says “welcome”
  
• Stationery set:
• Notepad
• Pen
• Planner
  
• Stuffed animal
• Welcome keychain
• Reusable bag
  
• Welcome card with an enclosed gift card for:
• Coffee
• Local restaurant
• Movie theater

Birthday 

When we are children we love to celebrate our birthdays. We love to be recognized, eat cake and ice cream, and open gifts. As we get older, we may not get to celebrate as much as we would like to. Therefore, the more recognition of that special day of the year, the better. It makes one feel special. Since the nanny plays an important role in your family’s life, a gift would be very appropriate. So what do you get them on their special day?

• Cake or favorite dessert 
• Homemade would mean the most, but store-bought is just as thoughtful
• Paid time off
• Cash bonus
• “Here is a bonus, go buy yourself something nice.”
• Gift cards
• Coffee
• Amazon
• Their favorite store
• Restaurant 
• Salon
• Spa
• Music app
• Game app
• Clothing store
• Take them out to a restaurant or make them a meal
• Throw and pillow
• Balloon arrangement 
• Gift basket
• Fruit
• Candy
• Self-care items
• Movie night
• One or two movies
• Popcorn
• Candy
• Drink
• Homemade gifts 
• Friendship bracelet
• Picture of nanny and family together 
• A framed piece of art from the children
• Stuffed animal
• Their favorite board game
• Knick knacks
• Jewelry
• Necklace with a heart or their favorite stone
• Ring 
• Bracelet
• Earrings

Holiday Bonus 

Every religion and culture celebrates different holidays. You will learn about your nanny’s religious preference and culture. Find out if your nanny has a favorite holiday or any traditions. Once you do, it will help in choosing the best gift:

• Make a meal to celebrate their favorite holiday 
• If they have a tradition with their family but choose to be with your family, perhaps you can find a way to incorporate that tradition into your holiday.
• Invite them to become a part of your family traditions, if it would not go against their religion or culture.
• A photo album filled with pictures of the nanny and the family
• A framed picture of the nanny and family
• Gift basket:
• Holiday food goodies
• Baked goods
• Candy
• Holiday drink
• Spa day
• Face mask
• Eye mask
• Candle
• Bubble bath
• Lotion
• Oils
• Water bottle
• Fruit
• Tickets
• Concert
• Movie
• Sport event
• Local event
• Art show
• Jewelry
• Necklace 
• Bracelet 
• Ring
• Earrings 
• Clothing, like a sweater
• Bathrobe
• Blanket
• Ornament 
• Snowglobe
• Knick knack

Thank You

There is no better way to tell someone thank you than with a gift. A thank you gift does not have to be extravagant, it can be simple. Appropriate times for these gifts would be if they did something outside their usual duties. For instance, if they worked later so you could do something, or if they came in on their day off. Thank you gifts are for when they have gone above and beyond their duties and you want them to know you value their time.

• Card
• Coffee shop gift card
• Gas card
• Flowers
• Spa gift card
• Take them out to share a meal
• Movie tickets
• Their favorite candy

Get Well Soon

Your wonderful nanny has injured themselves or come down with something, what a bummer. Here is an opportunity to show them how important they are to your family. A gift will help them see that you care and you want them to get better. Like thank you gifts, they do not have to be big and expensive. 

• Card
• Flowers
• Chocolates 
• Balloons
• A stuffed animal
• Drawing from the children
• Offer to take them supplies to help them while they are recovering 
• Soup
• Drinks
• Juice
• Sports drinks
• A prepared meal
• Medication to ease their symptoms 

Appreciation 

The Dalai Lama says, “The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” The greater recognition the nanny receives, the more likely they will be to care for your family long-term. Using words is a nice gesture, but giving a gift is much more thoughtful. So what kind of gift says I appreciate your hard work and want you to know it? These are just a few ideas:

• Card
• Trophy/medallion “world’s best Nanny”
• Keychain 
• Water bottle
• Coffee mug
• Tickets
• Concert
• Movie
• Sport event
• Local event
• Art show
• Self-care items
• Massage
• Spa day
• Favorite pastry
• Coffee shop gift card
• Paid day off
• Cash bonus
• Raise in salary
• Invite them to join you on a family outing or vacation
• Give them a special space in the home where they can keep some of their belongings such as their throw, sweater, books, etc. This will show appreciation and that you want them to stay long-term.

Just Because 

You are out shopping and see an item that made you think of your nanny. Maybe your kids see something they would like to get the nanny. Do not hesitate to get it for them. Why? Because they are worth it. 

• Invite to stay for dinner
• Buy an extra movie ticket so they can join you
• Stock some of their favorite drinks and foods in the home
• Gift cards
• Take them out for lunch or dinner
• Cash bonus
• Knick knack that reminds you of them
• A favorite item they have talked about before
• Coffee
• Dessert

Goodbye Bonus

There could be several reasons why a contract ends. Perhaps the kids grew up and no longer require care. Maybe the family can no longer afford services. Mom took a job in another state, the family is moving. You could have decided to focus on finishing a degree and graduating. Of course, things do not always end on good terms, but we hope they do. So what are some appropriate ways to say thank you, you were amazing, and you will be missed.

• Card
• Gift cards
• Trophy or medallion
• Gift basket
• Fruit
• Candy
• Self-care items
• Movie night
• One or two movies
• Popcorn
• Candy
• Drink
• Stuffed animal
• A photo album full of pictures from their time with your family
• Box of chocolates
• Flowers
• Candle
• Desk organizer
• Coffee mug

Condolences

Sometimes in life, we lose someone close to us. As a member of your family, you will want your nanny to know that you care about them and want to make them feel better. It is a kind gesture. It does not have to be much:

• A card
• Balloons
• Flowers
• Stuffed animal
• A picture the children created

Conclusion

There are many different gifts that you can get your nanny. Sometimes life gets busy, we may not have time to shop for gifts, or we forgot it was a birthday, anniversary, or another important event. Many gifts are great for all occasions and great last-minute go-to. 

• Gift cards
• Movie tickets
• Flowers
• Balloons
• Box of chocolates
• Stuffed animal
• A meal, whether you cook it or take them out
• Card
• Premade gift baskets
• Plant

If you take the time to get to know your nanny, or even simply ask them what they like you might be surprised at how easy it is to put a smile on their face and a feeling of appreciation in their heart.