Originally Posted by Unregistered:
If I am going to be judged by provders about the gift I give, I wont bother getting anything at all.
I always figured it was the thought that counts.
This thread makes providers seem very materialistic.
I follow my daycare ladys rules and policies and am respectful of her and home. I always pay on time too. She always says that is more than enough and shows my appreciation of all she does.
Really? In my opinion, a $1, tacky gift shows exactly the thought that went into it. It says "I HAVE to get you something, but I don't WANT to, because I don't think you are worth it". It really DOES hurt to have someone give you a gift like that. It doesn't bother me a bit to get NO gift, but getting a gift that says "this is an obligation, not a heartfelt *I appreciate you*" just plain sucks.
My own provider, when I used one, received a week's pay (and I couldn't afford it, but knew she DESERVED it-I consider that just to be a part of hiring her to give her a bonus, the same way I do for my hair stylist).