Christmas gifts from DCfamilies to you

[MonkeyPrincess]

Let's go for something a little light hearted today :) what are some things that families have given you for Christmas? I appreciate all the gifts i have received, the families thought of something a little extra for me aside from the regular weekly pay. I have received things like soap/lotion sets, gift cards, coffee sets, etc. Today I got a $50 gift card to the LCBO (Liquor store) :laugh: We rarely drink but the thought was nice!

Also- on the flip side- have you ever received something odd or unusual? I haven't yet.

[bright sparks]

This year I have received a bottle of wine accompanied by an array of chocolates from the local chocolates shop which was a lovely gift except this parent clearly is forgetting herself as I have a dairy intolerance lol and yes she knows because her son is dairy free and it is something that we talk about on a regular basis...ah well, my husband is happy :) Today is my last day so I will update you all later.....I also have a little guy leaving today too.

I have received gift cards to the spa, hairdressers and bookstore (my fave) I hate receiving chocolates but that's my personal preference and I usually regift them. I am a big fan of regifting but there are some strict guidelines one must follow. I had a parent regift a scruffy little scarf, and she told me LOLOL Silly woman may as well have said "Someone bought me this ugly thing. Here, you have it" lmao

One year someone bought my kids a board game, 2 bottles of wine and put $125 in a lovely handwritten card. I was shocked. Other no no for regifting is when packaging is marked or damaged. Someone gave me some kind of candle in a box which had greasy fingerprints on it...some people are so dumb! If you can't put thought into it then don't bother. I love to receive a card with kind words in it :)

I don't think parents should feel obliged to buy gifts as I understand that for some people things are tight. A nice card with meaningful words is enough to put a smile on my face.

[Wonderwiper]

Today I have received 2 bottles of wine and a ton of chocolate!!! I don't drink but my DC parents are all funny and say "if I were you I would need a bottle at the end of the day!" and that makes me feel like they notice/appreciate all the hard work I do.

One DC parent (who already gave me huge box of goodies) said she ordered something online for me that is delayed so now will just be delivered to me..can't wait to see what it is!

Another parent paid me for my whole time off even though I only require payment for stats!! Woo hoo!

I may or may not have had something chocolatey for snack!

[cfred]

I've been spoiled rotten this year! So far, for Christmas, I got a $50 gift card to our local mall, a $25 gift card for LCBO and a $35 gift card for Chapters. Aside from that, my clients have really come through for me in a huge way. I had to have surgery last week which was stressing me out beyond belief. I was so worried about taking a week off now as well as 2.5 weeks at the end of January to go to New Zealand. I was sure people would complain and I'd have to postpone my vacation. EVERY ONE of my clients said I would absolutely not postpone my vacation and I was to take as much time as I needed off for my recovery. When I came out of surgery and my head was clear enough to check my phone, there were multiple text messages from all of them checking to see if I was okay. Text messages every morning to check on me followed as well as deliveries of flower arrangements, gift baskets of coffees, chocolates, etc. Offers of help with groceries, cooking, etc came in. 2 clients came to visit me with the kids. I had to book 2 extra days off because the surgery was 3x longer than expected (I'm tuckered)....not one single complaint....not one! One client is even insisting on paying me for my entire time off! I just can't believe how well this has gone.

All I can say is 'Wow......just wow......' I'm completely taken aback, in a very good way :)

[Wonderwiper]

OMG CFRED....sooo jealous you are going to NZ in January!!! I lived there for 9 years and miss it so much!!

So lovely that your families appreciate you so much and are genuinely good people!

[cfred]

I am indeed! I booked it ages ago to go and visit a good friend who had to move back. She was so sad to leave, so I emailed my ticket as a surprise to her. She has since planned 2.5 weeks of my life down to the second. She's very excited. If you're jealous now, wait till you hear this....it almost killed me. This friend and her hubby had 750, 000 airmiles that were about to expire a couple months back so they were offering free flights to NZ to all our friends. Of course, being a bit of a planner, I couldn't use them (kicked myself hard!!!) but another friend of ours took her up and is meeting us in Auckland the day after I get there. They ended up getting free flights for a crazy number of people. Where did you live there?

Yes, I'm feeling pretty lucky these days :)

Sorry for the little highjack there....done now.

[mickyc]

So far I have received a Christmas card with a photo and a box of chocolates from another family. Having a bad day today so a little bitter and cranky! LOL

[cfred]

Cheer up mickyc....although, having said that, I know how much it pisses me off when people say that to me. Better advice - put on some cheesy Christmas videos for the kidlets to bide your time through the rest of the day. Once they're gone, park your butt in a comfortable chair accompanied by your chocolates and a nice glass of wine. Chocolate and wine can fix the worst of bad days :)

In the meantime, it must be almost nap time :) :D

[mickyc]

lol. thanks cfred. I am tired, sick (on antibiotics), have a sore back, kids are behaving so bad today, lots of coughing and snotty noses, and to top it off it is too cold to go outside. I have worked my butt off this month doing all sorts of Christmas arts and crafts. Sending home parents gifts today as well as kids gifts. Barely take any time off during the year so as to not inconvenience anyone. Just feeling very unappreciated! I know it is just because I am not feeling that great but hard to hear about parent's having spa days and going to cuba in the next few months but all I get is a card and not even a nice note or anything in it.

OK I will quit venting lol. this was supposed to be a nice light thread!

On the flip side - I am glad there are some parents out there who truly appreciate their providers!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I haven't received anything this year. I am not expecting much lol. This group of parents is definitely my most frustrating thus far. My p/t girl has been with me for over a year and a half and she is the only one who I am thinking I will get a gift from as they gave one last year.

In the past I have received very nice gifts and very nice comments in cards which I love!! Actually, a previous dcm sent an email christmas card and said some very nice things and how they missed me and were thinking of me. THat meant a lot!! :)

funny story about regifting.....two years ago I got a candle set from a parent. I don't really use candles so I regifted it to my SIL last year. She didn't read who it was from so when she opened it she exclaimed to my MIL (her mom) "I gave this to you last year!!!" I immediately thought I goofed up and regifted something in the same circle!! After some discussion we realized that it wasn't the one she had given her mom LOL. My MIL is terrible for regifting which is why she assumed she did it. However, I felt like a tool cuz my SIL obviously knew I had regifted it. I'm regifting another dc gift this year so hopefully no one else has given this someone in the past LOL

[torontokids]

One family nothing, another a box of chocolates, another some homemade cookies and a $25 Gap gift card and a nice card, last family I don't think they will do anything.

[torontokids]

I had a family terminate card recently to go to a daycare centre. They gave me a $200 spa gift certificate! That was completely unexpected.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Torontokids...that was nice of them!! It shows that they did appreciate you but are doing what is best for them! I had a family go to a dc centre at the beginning of summer and they gave a $100 Keg gift card which was very appreciated. The card was nice but it was the sign that they weren't leaving on bad terms that I appreciated even more!

[MonkeyPrincess]

lol. thanks cfred. I am tired, sick (on antibiotics), have a sore back, kids are behaving so bad today, lots of coughing and snotty noses, and to top it off it is too cold to go outside. I have worked my butt off this month doing all sorts of Christmas arts and crafts. Sending home parents gifts today as well as kids gifts. Barely take any time off during the year so as to not inconvenience anyone. Just feeling very unappreciated! I know it is just because I am not feeling that great but hard to hear about parent's having spa days and going to cuba in the next few months but all I get is a card and not even a nice note or anything in it.

OK I will quit venting lol. this was supposed to be a nice light thread!

On the flip side - I am glad there are some parents out there who truly appreciate their providers!

That's ok, we all need to vent, we are all human :) and we are all here to listen! Guaranteed that we have all been thru the same things! We feel ya! You would think parents would appreciate the person who takes care of their kid all day!

I have a good group of parents and kids and i am so grateful for that. I have had enough challenging moments with challenging parents (like everyone else here) where i was seriously THISCLOSE to quitting all together. I even looked into jobs at one point. I made a few changes and i am much happier now. I just had to start being more strict and selfish :)

Like i said i have a great group of parents and kids. I care for a DCB who is 18 mos. His mom hugged me and kissed my cheek once, to show her appreciation for doing such a fantastic job with her little boy. (she's italian, i am portuguese, it's what we do LOL.) This is the mom who gave me the $50 giftcard to LCBO.

[bright sparks]

So the parent who already gave me the wine and chocolate at the xmas party gave me a spa gift certificate for $100 at pick up. WOW, that's something I definitely need and was totally unexpected. I got a plate of home made cookies and a gift basket from a new dc and the family who left...zip! No card no thank you no nothing. Silver lining...not great people to deal with so no great loss :)

[dodge__driver11]

Last year was good as far as gifts go, but this year has been dry. Not a thing thus far. I know I am a business, and these people aren't my friends, but even a card would be nice to know I am doing a good job..I dunno we've had threads about this before (Parents who don't gift) and though I know its something we shouldn't expect, it still hurts when it doesn't happen.

[playfelt]

So far I have a Santa hat filled with Lindt chocolates and a $25 gift card from Target from one family and a $25 gift card from Michaels from another family. A third family has given me a big hug and kiss from the dad at drop off yesterday which was child's last day - filled in for a month with a 10 year old special needs child after their nanny quit till they could sort things out. And the mom at pick up said she had something special for me but it wouldn't be ready till next week so some sort of surprise to look forward to. Baby is home sick today so between that and child in wheelchair having a much more relaxed day than the last couple weeks have been so a nice way to end the week. They have already asked for pancakes for lunch so that makes that simple too. Finished their snowmen puppets late last night and wrapped them while waiting for them all to arrive. They are dancing with bells to the Christmas tunes on treehouse music and I am playing on my computer - nice way to spend a few minutes.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have to admit I wasn't expecting much more than a Christmas card from most of the parents this year. All but one just started with me this Summer/Fall. I was pleasantly surprised!! From my single mom in school, an angel ornament...my handful, a homemade snowman made out of jars and in the jars was stuff for hot chocolate and a set of two snowman mugs for my fiance and I...my boy, 3 hand soaps from bath and body and a box of cadbury chocolates. His dad also told me this morning how much they appreciate me and am glad to have found me and that I am awesome (that really touches me when they actually say it in person)....my pt girl (my only one who has been here awhile, 1.5 years) a $50 gift card for The Keg. I feel very appreciated this morning :)

I have another family whose last day before the holidays was Tuesday. They kept her home sick. She still has not showed up to pick up their gifts for them and her and to also drop off next week's payment. I'm not holding my breath on a gift from them.....as long as she drops off payment I will be happy!!

It's jammie day here so off to watch a movie in bed and then one is being picked up early!!! So far, it's a perfect Friday!!

Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy your time off and have a great time with friends and family!! All the best for the New Year!!

[ttremble88]

I just opened up in September so I am not expecting very much. I had my main family give me a box of Turtles yesterday. So far that it is. I have had 1 family leave for holidays on Tuesday, nothing. But not surprised. I have another family whos last days before the holiday was suppose to be today, but got an email saying that he was sick. Nothing. Another family who just started this week and even though I really like this family, I doubt that I will receive anything. Who else? Oh yes, my last family is Johaviah Witnesses, sweetest family, but they do not celebrate, so nothing there either.

[Fun&care]

I am spoiled this year. I have just two families, one bought me nice Sorel boots (I once complimented dcm on hers and she remembered I guess!) and the other a 100$ bonus cheque! Neither one got me a card tho...funny but I kinda like cards with something nice written inside but honestly, I can't complain! I have great families!

[mimi]

except for one family who put their daycare payment in the card (so at first you think it's a gift) with no words of gratitude to the rest of my families who spoiled me rotten. The gifts are so appreciated as they came with words of gratitude in the cards they gave.
One family's gift just overwhelmed me to the point of tears and speechlessness. They scrapped book an album for me. The theme was what dcg would like me to do on my Christmas holiday. First page was how happy dcg is here with a lovely picture of her, 2nd page was an LCBO gift card so I can enjoy a glass of wine, next page a pedicure/manicure gift card, next page a gift card to a fine dining restaurant and last page a large cash gift to spend however I want just that it must be on myself because in their words I deserve it. The homemade card really touched my heart and the recognition of a job well done is HUGE. I had a good little happy cry over it and even my hubby was teary for this act of kindness. I'm a lucky provider.:)

[Fun&care]

except for one family who put their daycare payment in the card (so at first you think it's a gift) with no words of gratitude to the rest of my families who spoiled me rotten. The gifts are so appreciated as they came with words of gratitude in the cards they gave.
One family's gift just overwhelmed me to the point of tears and speechlessness. They scrapped book an album for me. The theme was what dcg would like me to do on my Christmas holiday. First page was how happy dcg is here with a lovely picture of her, 2nd page was an LCBO gift card so I can enjoy a glass of wine, next page a pedicure/manicure gift card, next page a gift card to a fine dining restaurant and last page a large cash gift to spend however I want just that it must be on myself because in their words I deserve it. The homemade card really touched my heart and the recognition of a job well done is HUGE. I had a good little happy cry over it and even my hubby was teary for this act of kindness. I'm a lucky provider.:)

Wow Mimi that is amazing! I got teary eyed just reading your post. Just wow!

[FSD]

This is my first year being open and I got spoiled from my dcp!! They all gave me cards with words of thanks, and I also received movie tickets for 2 including drinks and popcorn; a gift certificate for a pedicure; a box of chocolates and a $50 prepaid MC; a basket full of craft materials; AND from my last daycare parent (who is also a good friend of mine), a COACH wallet (:woot:) with a gift card for Starbucks inside!! I was floored!! She knew I always wanted one but just couldn't justify buying one. Now I can't wait to go shopping just so I can whip that bad boy out of my purse! LOL

[mimi]

Ha Ha FSD I'm sure you earned that "bad boy" :laugh:

[Wonderwiper]

So...my secret gift arrived via Fedex today! A gift card for a weekend at Blue Mountain Resort here in Ontario!!! Woo hoo!! I had been telling this mom that I am teaching my 3 year old to ski this year! Guess she remembered. I am overwhelmed!

[Wonderwiper]

FSD...I am also sure you earned that bad boy ha ha!!!!!

[mimi]

Wow Wonderwiper! That is fantastic. Enjoy!

[FSD]

Thanks ladies....I definitely did!! :) And yeah, Wonderwiper...that's awesome!!

[5 Little Monkeys]

At pickup my handful's mom (who had given the hot chocolate and mugs) gave a $25 gift card to a new restaurant here in my city. My mom who still needed to drop off payment finally came and paid $10 more cuz she didn't have a ten. She said she didn't buy me a gift and she felt bad so I could keep the $10 LOL......gee thanks!! The thought(or after thought I guess lol) is still appreciated though. Just glad she finally dropped off payment as I am not around next week.

FSD, that is an awesome gift!!!

[Mamateach]

I was completely shocked and overwhelmed by one of my DCK's mother. Last week she gave me an early Xmas gift of a beautiful handwritten card with a $100 bill inside!!!! Today that same mom showed up with home baked goods, a bottle of wine, crafts for all kids and gifts for both of my children!!!!!! I couldn't believe how generous she was. It definitely made me feel appreciated and as I said before...overwhelmed :)

[Mamateach]

So...my secret gift arrived via Fedex today! A gift card for a weekend at Blue Mountain Resort here in Ontario!!! Woo hoo!! I had been telling this mom that I am teaching my 3 year old to ski this year! Guess she remembered. I am overwhelmed!

That's amazing!!! What a nice and generous gesture!

[mickyc]

Well it is Christmas Eve. I so need a break! Looking forward to the next 5 days off!!

This year it is looking like all I am getting is a box of chocolates from one family and a card from another (not even a nice note inside). One mom brought homemade cookies for everyone and although I appreciated the thought they were horrible!! I have 2 families here today that haven't given me anything yet so maybe but I am not holding my breath. I haven't gotten any thank you yet from any families for their present I sent home their kids. Sigh....whatever. I am learning very quickly to not worry as much about inconveniencing my families. Taking more time off in the new year that is for sure.

[5 Little Monkeys]

That is horrible that none of the parents even said thank you!!

All of my parents said thank you for their gift from their child as well as the gift I gave their child. They all also thanked me for the care I have given to their child this year either in person on in the xmas card from them.

I don't expect a gift from them but I admit, I do expect a thank you for giving their child a gift. Thankfully, I haven't had any parents like that yet. My older children who understand all said thank you for the gift (without the help from their parents!!) and that was awesome!

Enjoy your time off!! And yes, take more time off!! lol. I take 2-4 weeks total throughout the year. If the parents truly appreciate you, they won't complain!!

[ttremble88]

Alright, so out of 5 families, I got 1 box of chocolates. No cards :( I love cards with personal messages. However, I am not surprised. 1 family does not celebrate anything (Christmas, birthdays ect), 1 family just started a week ago, 1 family, even though has been on roster for a month, I have only seen twice and 1 family has 'that kid'. I also have only been open since Sept, but a card would be nice. I sent gift bags home with the kids (filed with a bunch a of little things, socks, cookies, books ect) I had all kids say thank you when I gave it to them (all being older kids), but only received 1 email saying thank you from the parents. Again, not surprised.

[mimi]

mickyc and ttremble88 I am going to say "thank you" to you for being the special providers you are and remember we are here for the kids and some of the grown ups need a lesson in gratitude. A card with a thank you is not a difficult gift to give and means the world to us. Merry Christmas to all the ladies on this forum.:glomp:

[mickyc]

Well I was feeling better at the end of the day yesterday. The 2 parents that were left ended up both giving me gift cards. I got $40 from the one mom with a card and a nice note in it. Then the other mom gave me a Tim Horton's gift card although it doesn't have an amount on it. She gave it to me in front of the other mom who only gave me a card lol! I waited until that mom left and then thanked the mom for the gift card and said I really appreciate it. She then said how much she appreciates everything I do! That is all I wanted!! Just some acknowledgment! So all in all, it didn't turn out too bad. There still wasn't any parent who thanked me for their child's gift but oh well. I don't work now until Monday and I only have a few kids so looking forward to that!