Gift Exchange between Dcks

[5 Little Monkeys]

I don't discuss it at all. I give gifts/treat bags for almost every holiday but I would never expect a parent to bring gifts in for the other kids and I would think that by discussing it, it would come across as they need too.

Some parents bring in treats or gifts for the other kids. I allow the child to hand them out and than they go in their bag to open/eat at home. The only time we open it here is if the parent sent treats for snack time. At valentines, it is totally optional to send cards. I can't remember if I've had any that didn't send though. I usually have extras on hand and would likely just write some up with that child to hand out.

In the past few years, holidays have become HUGE ( I think Pinterest is to blame! Lol) but I love it!! Some parents don't think it's necessary so I wouldn't want them to think they need to send in stuff for every holiday. I enjoy gift giving but I even have to scale myself back sometimes and remember that it's just st patty's day ( for example) and I don't HAVE to have a treat bag to give out!!

[AmandaKDT]

I would just leave it be, if they send stuff fine. My older daughter was in a home daycare before that had a established gift exchange for all birthdays and it was too much. It wasn't mandatory per say, but parents were sending presents for our kid so we felt obligated and it had a set spending limit of up to $20 per child. It was a hardship for us, on top of having to buy presents for kids we didn't really know.

I have some families here that send stuff for valentine's, etc and also for birthdays. But I never comment on it the parents or I try to not make them feel obligated to do anything.