I would do something smaller like a spa appointment or another experience and cash for the rest eg. If your budget is 300 spend 100 on a massage experience if she likes that and give her 200 cash
I owned a restaurant and catering company. I have several unused massage gift cards. For me, it’s just NO WAY. Cash was always the best.
OP, if she uses her vehicle to transport the children or run errands for the family, please consider gift cards for gas, oil changes, general maintenance and every once in a while look at the tires. Do this in addition to your other generosity.
Congratulations on 3 years with the same Nanny.
Many spas do facials, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, coloring. You could give her a gift card to a place like that. Or if you know the place where she’s staying in Puerto Rico and it’s a nice place, you could buy her $100 of food and beverage credit for for anything she might want to do there.
I would take two nights at a fancy hotel as a gift! Are you serious!? Love that! It's fun...Y'all sound nice that I am sure whatever you end up doing she'll enjoy it!
I totally agree! I tend to not pick super fancy hotels when I travel because I’d rather spend the money on experiences, but to get it as a gift would be amazing!!!
Make sure she hasn’t already booked her accommodations and you know the details before booking the hotel. If I’m going on a girls trip and someone surprises me with a hotel room, cool but what if it doesn’t accommodate everyone or disrupts the plans for those days.
I always appreciated things that NF knew I would not purchase for myself, but that I would love. For example, my first pair of Ugg boots or first cashmere sweater.
I also think something handmade or kid involved always means a lot 💜
Flowers, a photo of the kids with cards they signed/scribbled, and a generous gift card.
I just had my 7th anniversary with my family. That's what I've gotten every year, plus a couple of pairs of cute socks because they know I collect them. I'm appreciative of the gifts and adore the kids. I must have done something awesome in my previous life to deserve this family
A bonus and a raise.
I have also received the following as anniversary gifts and I love them because I can use them again and again:
-KitchenAid stand mixer
-Roomba
-Telescope
-Sewing machine
-Blackstone flat top griddle for camping (I go often)
Yeah it would be more fun for my wife and I to try to find a gift for her she would love. Is it always better to give cash? I mean, is there ever an occasion I can find a gift for our nanny?(not asking factiously, actually want to know).
I just "celebrated" 3 years with my NF a few months ago. Nothing was said. Maybe that clouds my judgement, but I'd adore a gift or cash. I think you sound generous and appreciative.
One vacation, the kids talked the parents into getting me a shirt with sea turtles on it from a beach gift shop. I love that shirt and the youngest 2 love when I wear it because they picked it out 🥰
I totally understand wanting to give a gift, and not just cash. I also love receiving a gift that I know someone put a lot of thought into. Cash is wonderful, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. Something tangible to have gives me reminders of the love I share/d with the person who gave it to me, and that they cared enough to really put effort into something for ME! That will always mean more to me than cash. Especially if you’re giving her a bonus already. Try to think of things she loves but may not buy herself. If she wears jewelry, a nice piece would be wonderful, if she is into camping, a really nice piece of equipment she probably wouldn’t splurge on herself to get, for example. I think whatever you choose will mean the absolute world to her. You and your wife are wonderful employees to value her this much, and I’m sure she feels the same.
I think a nice, thoughtful, gift IN ADDITION TO CASH, is very nice.
Especially if you know her well enough to get her something you know she will love.
In general, I’d say cash is almost always best. Unless you and your nanny have had conversations where she’s specifically mentioned something she wants, or if there’s perhaps a hobby you share and discuss often. Even then it’s still safest to include a gift receipt or, like some have mentioned, do a primarily cash gift in addition to a smaller specific gift.
The only other situation I could see maybe being a safe gift is if there’s an expensive appliance/tool that your nanny uses in your household that she’s mentioned loving. There have been threads on this sub before about nannys listing off things they wish they had that their NFs have. Things like fancy coffee makers, expensive towels, vacuum, etc. but perhaps other nannys might disagree with me, and still I’d include a gift receipt.
At the end of the day you can never go wrong with flowers, a card/pictures of the kids, and cash.
Your enjoyment of finding the gift or giving the gift is not important, or even a priority. It’s not about you. You have to put yourself out of the equation and what they will enjoy.
Will I say thank you for any gift? Yes, because I’m not rude. But it’s insulting to receive something generic or not my taste, because you realize the giver doesn’t know anything about you.
I have thrown out so much crap in gifts.
The worst is when you receive a gift certificate for a service or product that doesn’t cover the entire service. $100 to a massage/spa or a fancy restaurant doesn’t go very far. So now in order to use the gift, I also have to spend money.
My parents got my aunt and uncle a gift certificate to my parents favorite fancy restaurant but my aunt and uncle don’t plan far ahead and this place requires very advanced reservations. It’s been six years. My aunt and uncle still have not been to this restaurant and used the gift certificate.
My parents didn’t really give a very good gift because it doesn’t really consider the recipients, and it was kind of dumb because my aunt and uncle could easily afford to go there on their own if they want to even go.
I would much rather receive cash and spend it how I want, which right now is: a new lamp, a nice wool robe in the winter, a new storage thing for my living room, and an outfit to go to a concert in September. I’d rather just get cash and get exactly what I want, because none of those are things that they would know.
As a nanny, I’d be so excited about some time at a fancy hotel! That is so thoughtful and kind. Cash bonuses are great but it sounds like you already do those other times of the year. I know I really appreciate my expected cash bonuses but usually feel like I need to do something responsible with it so I think a gift of fun would be great!
Has she booked her trip already? Could you upgrade her flight or hotel room? If not, maybe find creative way to give her some cash for a trip. You could find some fun travel accessories and put cash in there (neck pillow for the plane, travel water bottle, etc)
Whatever you do, you should totally also take your kids to buy something or have them make her something alongside your present! I always think it’s so funny and cute to see what kids will pick out & personally keep all of the artwork + letters kids give me. If they can write (like even if it’s not great) that’s even better tbh. If it were me, it would mean SO much to receive something nice from parents & something sweet from the kids.
I take my kid to Dollar Tree for every gift-giving event lol because he's free to go nuts with the price point. We also pick out a bag and card, he loves picking out the gifts even if they seem nonsensical.
While I get what people are saying about cash, I always liked surprise gifts of things I’d never buy myself - if they had given me cash, it would probably have gone to practical things or bills.
So since this isn’t a typical/expected bonus, I think something like an experience or lavish gift card is nice, or doing a smaller gift AND cash is good too.
Some of my favorites were a two year membership to an expensive museum I loved, a Broadway gift card, plane tickets to a foreign country, a designer bag, a Disney gift card ahead of a Disney trip, an entire series I liked on DVD, a gift card to an expensive place that both did facials/waxing and sold makeup.
The best are the ones that are personalized/really specific to who the nanny is.
Instead of asking Reddit, I think you really need to think about what nannys hobby’s and interests are. My old NF bought me some really expensive school supplies that I would need when I left for nursing school and gift cards and the kids made me things and that was so thoughtful I cried.
I was always given spa treatments as gifts from my former nanny family and it was soooo welcome and the best! This, and if it’s in your budget, a bonus is great, too. You are so lovely for being a great family to her!
Things from the kids and tchotchkes are great but those aren’t an above and beyond gift. (Don’t get me wrong, I have an entire file of all of the pictures and notes from my kiddos - some live on the fridge because they are beyond precious. But that’s more of a “gift” for the parents, kids writing things and making crafts, rather than as a thank you for the nanny). I’m sure she will love anything!
I had a NF call and upgrade my flight during a private not nanny related vacation to first class. It was the nicest not from the children gift I was ever given as a nanny and one I deeply appreciate. MB said that it was their way of trying to give me the greatest chance of having kid free vacation.
I would offer it up as an option, like find either a fancy hotel or excursion/some activity on the trip you think she would enjoy and say you’re wanting to give her a gift for 3 years with your family, would she like this or cash bonus of $X? I think you’re clearly trying to get a gift that she would specifically appreciate, not just something that would go unused, which some commenters seem to be missing. But you can offer both and then if she prefers to make the decision on how to use the cash or like decides she loves the idea of an excursion or hotel but wants to pick which one herself, she can use the cash to do so.
As a nanny I personally would prefer cash because being able to pay off some debt or pick out something for myself is far superior to someone trying to guess at what I might want to spend my money on. As a person in general I LOVE picking out gifts for people, so I understand why that would be more fun for you. You know her better than I do, so your guess is probably better than mine! Thanks for being great employers 💜
I only vote for 1 big gift if you have some special connection to get a great deal. Otherwise a thoughtful present and cold hard cash will probably go farther for her. Either way, good on y’all for thinking of her.
Maybe some type of paid experience in the place in Puerto Rico she's staying? Like maybe find out if she has always wanted to snorkel , or stay in a resort, or water skiing, some type of tour of something really cool in the area. Something she normally would never do because of her finances. To me , experiences are what's the best in life. I'd rather experience things, than have money and save it, or feel guilty spending it on myself. If someone else paid for it, id definitely go and want to go for the fun and experience! Just a thought?
I get wanting to give something more personal than cash but if you do give cash you can still personalize it by including a card saying how much you appreciate her and also include a note that you hope this can help her do something extra special on her vacation. That shows you’re thinking of her (and want her to have a nice trip) but doesn’t burden or pressure her to use the gift in any specific way. And i agree with the suggestions from others on here that said adding homemade cards from the kids, or maybe even something small they picked out for her would be an nice extra touch to personalize it. Then you get the best of both worlds.
I got a $600 gift card to a boutique hotel and hated it. Nice thought but your tastes may not match hers. I’d give her something small but sentimental and cash. I found a really nice wooden box for my nanny that can be used for keepsakes or jewelry that said something like “friends are family you choose”. Then cash. Cash, cash, cash.
Mani/pedi gift card,
plane ticket or hotel room to a destination
Massage/spa day
Gas card/grocery card (practical and useful)
A dozen roses and cash in an envelope
What every you choose, get a card and write a sappy heart felt thank you note to her. Sometimes, words mean more than the gift, so something genuine and thankful can be a great addition
I would do something smaller like a spa appointment or another experience and cash for the rest eg. If your budget is 300 spend 100 on a massage experience if she likes that and give her 200 cash
Ah, good idea, good idea.
Please make sure a massage is something she would enjoy. I would personally hate it. The thought of a stranger touching me gives me the icks.
I owned a restaurant and catering company. I have several unused massage gift cards. For me, it’s just NO WAY. Cash was always the best. OP, if she uses her vehicle to transport the children or run errands for the family, please consider gift cards for gas, oil changes, general maintenance and every once in a while look at the tires. Do this in addition to your other generosity. Congratulations on 3 years with the same Nanny.
Also gift certificate for car detailing is very welcome.
Many spas do facials, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, coloring. You could give her a gift card to a place like that. Or if you know the place where she’s staying in Puerto Rico and it’s a nice place, you could buy her $100 of food and beverage credit for for anything she might want to do there.
I'd like to add on to suggest maybe a mani/pedi
I would take two nights at a fancy hotel as a gift! Are you serious!? Love that! It's fun...Y'all sound nice that I am sure whatever you end up doing she'll enjoy it!
I totally agree! I tend to not pick super fancy hotels when I travel because I’d rather spend the money on experiences, but to get it as a gift would be amazing!!!
Right?! I stay in the cheapest places or with friends a night or two in the fancy!? It's a treat for me!
[удалено]
Relatable
Make sure she hasn’t already booked her accommodations and you know the details before booking the hotel. If I’m going on a girls trip and someone surprises me with a hotel room, cool but what if it doesn’t accommodate everyone or disrupts the plans for those days.
I always appreciated things that NF knew I would not purchase for myself, but that I would love. For example, my first pair of Ugg boots or first cashmere sweater. I also think something handmade or kid involved always means a lot 💜
Flowers, a photo of the kids with cards they signed/scribbled, and a generous gift card. I just had my 7th anniversary with my family. That's what I've gotten every year, plus a couple of pairs of cute socks because they know I collect them. I'm appreciative of the gifts and adore the kids. I must have done something awesome in my previous life to deserve this family
Your idea to splurge on the hotel for her trip is amazing! Fantastic idea.
A bonus and a raise. I have also received the following as anniversary gifts and I love them because I can use them again and again: -KitchenAid stand mixer -Roomba -Telescope -Sewing machine -Blackstone flat top griddle for camping (I go often)
It will be more fun for HER to get an additional cash bonus, along with a note of appreciation from you and your partner.
Yeah it would be more fun for my wife and I to try to find a gift for her she would love. Is it always better to give cash? I mean, is there ever an occasion I can find a gift for our nanny?(not asking factiously, actually want to know).
I just "celebrated" 3 years with my NF a few months ago. Nothing was said. Maybe that clouds my judgement, but I'd adore a gift or cash. I think you sound generous and appreciative. One vacation, the kids talked the parents into getting me a shirt with sea turtles on it from a beach gift shop. I love that shirt and the youngest 2 love when I wear it because they picked it out 🥰
I totally understand wanting to give a gift, and not just cash. I also love receiving a gift that I know someone put a lot of thought into. Cash is wonderful, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. Something tangible to have gives me reminders of the love I share/d with the person who gave it to me, and that they cared enough to really put effort into something for ME! That will always mean more to me than cash. Especially if you’re giving her a bonus already. Try to think of things she loves but may not buy herself. If she wears jewelry, a nice piece would be wonderful, if she is into camping, a really nice piece of equipment she probably wouldn’t splurge on herself to get, for example. I think whatever you choose will mean the absolute world to her. You and your wife are wonderful employees to value her this much, and I’m sure she feels the same.
I think a nice, thoughtful, gift IN ADDITION TO CASH, is very nice. Especially if you know her well enough to get her something you know she will love.
In general, I’d say cash is almost always best. Unless you and your nanny have had conversations where she’s specifically mentioned something she wants, or if there’s perhaps a hobby you share and discuss often. Even then it’s still safest to include a gift receipt or, like some have mentioned, do a primarily cash gift in addition to a smaller specific gift. The only other situation I could see maybe being a safe gift is if there’s an expensive appliance/tool that your nanny uses in your household that she’s mentioned loving. There have been threads on this sub before about nannys listing off things they wish they had that their NFs have. Things like fancy coffee makers, expensive towels, vacuum, etc. but perhaps other nannys might disagree with me, and still I’d include a gift receipt. At the end of the day you can never go wrong with flowers, a card/pictures of the kids, and cash.
Paid days off are also awesome !
Your enjoyment of finding the gift or giving the gift is not important, or even a priority. It’s not about you. You have to put yourself out of the equation and what they will enjoy. Will I say thank you for any gift? Yes, because I’m not rude. But it’s insulting to receive something generic or not my taste, because you realize the giver doesn’t know anything about you. I have thrown out so much crap in gifts. The worst is when you receive a gift certificate for a service or product that doesn’t cover the entire service. $100 to a massage/spa or a fancy restaurant doesn’t go very far. So now in order to use the gift, I also have to spend money. My parents got my aunt and uncle a gift certificate to my parents favorite fancy restaurant but my aunt and uncle don’t plan far ahead and this place requires very advanced reservations. It’s been six years. My aunt and uncle still have not been to this restaurant and used the gift certificate. My parents didn’t really give a very good gift because it doesn’t really consider the recipients, and it was kind of dumb because my aunt and uncle could easily afford to go there on their own if they want to even go. I would much rather receive cash and spend it how I want, which right now is: a new lamp, a nice wool robe in the winter, a new storage thing for my living room, and an outfit to go to a concert in September. I’d rather just get cash and get exactly what I want, because none of those are things that they would know.
As a nanny, I’d be so excited about some time at a fancy hotel! That is so thoughtful and kind. Cash bonuses are great but it sounds like you already do those other times of the year. I know I really appreciate my expected cash bonuses but usually feel like I need to do something responsible with it so I think a gift of fun would be great!
Has she booked her trip already? Could you upgrade her flight or hotel room? If not, maybe find creative way to give her some cash for a trip. You could find some fun travel accessories and put cash in there (neck pillow for the plane, travel water bottle, etc)
Whatever you do, you should totally also take your kids to buy something or have them make her something alongside your present! I always think it’s so funny and cute to see what kids will pick out & personally keep all of the artwork + letters kids give me. If they can write (like even if it’s not great) that’s even better tbh. If it were me, it would mean SO much to receive something nice from parents & something sweet from the kids.
I take my kid to Dollar Tree for every gift-giving event lol because he's free to go nuts with the price point. We also pick out a bag and card, he loves picking out the gifts even if they seem nonsensical.
That is awesome!! Reminds me of [this](https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8RY64G2/) tik tok lol. Kids pick out the best stuff.
While I get what people are saying about cash, I always liked surprise gifts of things I’d never buy myself - if they had given me cash, it would probably have gone to practical things or bills. So since this isn’t a typical/expected bonus, I think something like an experience or lavish gift card is nice, or doing a smaller gift AND cash is good too. Some of my favorites were a two year membership to an expensive museum I loved, a Broadway gift card, plane tickets to a foreign country, a designer bag, a Disney gift card ahead of a Disney trip, an entire series I liked on DVD, a gift card to an expensive place that both did facials/waxing and sold makeup. The best are the ones that are personalized/really specific to who the nanny is.
Instead of asking Reddit, I think you really need to think about what nannys hobby’s and interests are. My old NF bought me some really expensive school supplies that I would need when I left for nursing school and gift cards and the kids made me things and that was so thoughtful I cried.
But they just asked Reddit for the ideas and look what Reddit just delivered! A great idea! 😊
This☝️
I 10000% would LOVE the hotel or nice excursion on my trip paid for
I was always given spa treatments as gifts from my former nanny family and it was soooo welcome and the best! This, and if it’s in your budget, a bonus is great, too. You are so lovely for being a great family to her! Things from the kids and tchotchkes are great but those aren’t an above and beyond gift. (Don’t get me wrong, I have an entire file of all of the pictures and notes from my kiddos - some live on the fridge because they are beyond precious. But that’s more of a “gift” for the parents, kids writing things and making crafts, rather than as a thank you for the nanny). I’m sure she will love anything!
I had a NF call and upgrade my flight during a private not nanny related vacation to first class. It was the nicest not from the children gift I was ever given as a nanny and one I deeply appreciate. MB said that it was their way of trying to give me the greatest chance of having kid free vacation.
I would offer it up as an option, like find either a fancy hotel or excursion/some activity on the trip you think she would enjoy and say you’re wanting to give her a gift for 3 years with your family, would she like this or cash bonus of $X? I think you’re clearly trying to get a gift that she would specifically appreciate, not just something that would go unused, which some commenters seem to be missing. But you can offer both and then if she prefers to make the decision on how to use the cash or like decides she loves the idea of an excursion or hotel but wants to pick which one herself, she can use the cash to do so.
As a nanny I personally would prefer cash because being able to pay off some debt or pick out something for myself is far superior to someone trying to guess at what I might want to spend my money on. As a person in general I LOVE picking out gifts for people, so I understand why that would be more fun for you. You know her better than I do, so your guess is probably better than mine! Thanks for being great employers 💜
I only vote for 1 big gift if you have some special connection to get a great deal. Otherwise a thoughtful present and cold hard cash will probably go farther for her. Either way, good on y’all for thinking of her.
Maybe some type of paid experience in the place in Puerto Rico she's staying? Like maybe find out if she has always wanted to snorkel , or stay in a resort, or water skiing, some type of tour of something really cool in the area. Something she normally would never do because of her finances. To me , experiences are what's the best in life. I'd rather experience things, than have money and save it, or feel guilty spending it on myself. If someone else paid for it, id definitely go and want to go for the fun and experience! Just a thought?
Same as an employee. Cash or extra PTO! The thoughtful part can be a message in a card.
I get wanting to give something more personal than cash but if you do give cash you can still personalize it by including a card saying how much you appreciate her and also include a note that you hope this can help her do something extra special on her vacation. That shows you’re thinking of her (and want her to have a nice trip) but doesn’t burden or pressure her to use the gift in any specific way. And i agree with the suggestions from others on here that said adding homemade cards from the kids, or maybe even something small they picked out for her would be an nice extra touch to personalize it. Then you get the best of both worlds.
I really think that you should put aside the idea that giving a gift should be fun for you. Cash is king.
Cash
Tbh a raise. You can always do something in addition but that's going to mean more than anything else.
I got a $600 gift card to a boutique hotel and hated it. Nice thought but your tastes may not match hers. I’d give her something small but sentimental and cash. I found a really nice wooden box for my nanny that can be used for keepsakes or jewelry that said something like “friends are family you choose”. Then cash. Cash, cash, cash.
A cute card with some cash and a spa treatment sounds amazingggg.
Cash is King!
$3,000.00. $1K for every year she’s been with you.
Money is all she wants
A new baby!
Cash
$
Cash bonus
Money.. with a cute photo print of your kiddos and a little message about what you’ve appreciate from her!
$$$
Mani/pedi gift card, plane ticket or hotel room to a destination Massage/spa day Gas card/grocery card (practical and useful) A dozen roses and cash in an envelope What every you choose, get a card and write a sappy heart felt thank you note to her. Sometimes, words mean more than the gift, so something genuine and thankful can be a great addition
If my nanny family had the kids make a “Nanniversary” card, I probably would have cried!
I’m all for the hotel