[sassysarah]

If your child is in daycare are you going to give a Christmas bonus to the baby-sitter? Drew is at an in home daycare and I didn't know if I'm supposed to give her extra pay and if so how much? I really can't afford to do an extra week's pay but I also wouldn't want to not give her anything. What are you planning to do?

[TwoSweetGirls]

If your child is in daycare are you going to give a Christmas bonus to the baby-sitter? Drew is at an in home daycare and I didn't know if I'm supposed to give her extra pay and if so how much? I really can't afford to do an extra week's pay but I also wouldn't want to not give her anything. What are you planning to do?[/b]

This is a tough one. I definately don't think an extra week of pay is an option though, that seems a bit much, imo. Do you get an extra weeks pay at xmas, kwim? I have a hard time at xmas because in all honesty if you think about it you can tip anyone because it is xmas. Maybe you could get the sitter something useful for the daycare, or for everyday life? A few free visits for her to get in to the zoo, or wherever she takes the kids? I plan to get our sitter a gift card to the movies (our sitter is a 15 year old girl that watches Kaiya from time to time, she also watches our dogs).

[SassyGirl25]

When my friend babysat for me I just gave her an extra $30. I wasn't paying her much to begin with but I wanted to show her how much I appreciated her help. It wasn't much but it helped

[picklesmama]

When I was a nanny an extra week's pay was about the norm. The least I ever got was $100 (in 1995) and the most was $300 (in 2001 - this was a week's pay). I never expected it though, it was nice to get but not something I counted on. Also, I was a nanny, just taking care of one family's children. I think a daycare would be different since there are several children - I think I personally would tip as I do all other services at the holidays (like hairdresser, babysitter, housecleaning etc) about 25% what I pay them for the service itself. However a tip in those cases is just a nice thing to do if you can afford it. I think a card and a token like a box of chocolates would be just as nice.

[Birdie]

I was wondering the same thing. My daycare is in home so it's not as though she has a ton of kids. The daycare center I checked out had strict policies about holiday tipping, no money, but you could give a gift.

I was thinking either a weeks pay for maybe a gift certificate to a spa so she could get some relaxation......

[tinafrank]

I think you do what you can - just like with everybody else. This year my family is doing a "no-cost" gift exchange because all of us are strapped for cash - for all different reasons, but it's really nice that it's all the same year!

As for the sitter - do you know of something that she really likes? For instance if Tammi or Erika were my sitter I might get them a gift certificate for Dunken Donut's coffee. Something that you've noticed that she likes, that isn't super expensive, but is thoughtful. I like the idea of something for the daycare center, too - such as a big toy that the kids could play with.

ETA: I will miss Kurt's bonus this year - he used to get a whole MONTH'S pay. We had really nice Christmas mornings... but being a teacher, he obviously doesn't get a monetary bonus this year - but he does get a month off of work!

[Skrina]

Reid isn't in a daycare, but I have a single mom who comes in when I'm painting murals to watch him. She never gets a break being a single mom so i was going to get her a spa gift certificate with the option of babysitting for her while she gets pampered.

[DZErika]

i don;t have an in home person, but if I did I would probably give a gift as opposed to money. Something useful for HER, thats just me though.

[NFM76]

I usually get my sitter a giftcard for a spa or restaurant. Something to pamper her! Something she has no choice but to spend on HER! ya know..