I was thinking about making something special with the kids and giving to the parents as a gift for but I also had thought about giving them a card for a "Thank you" for their business with either 1 day credit coupon or a % discount for whenever they want to use.

What do others do? Is this a good idea or too much? I do a LOT for the kids throughout the year and my husband feels that a gift from the kids is enough but I would like others opinions.

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The kids make a gift each year for their parents and I offer a free Parents Night Out in early December (just hosted it on Saturday, in fact).

The kids come to my house on a Saturday afternoon/evening, usually from 3-8ish. They play, do a craft, we have a fun dinner and some treats and play some party games if they're old enough.

The parents are encouraged to go out for dinner, do some Christmas shopping, catch a movie or whatever. This is my way of showing my appreciation for another great year together and all I'm giving is my time/energy.

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We always make something for the kids to give them and then I give them a little thank you card with a gift certificate in it - how much it is depends on their weekly rate, it averages about 10-15% of their bill. I also do a parents night out in December, free for current kids, small fee for siblings to attend.

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All of my families I care for have families whom live in town so during the evenings and weekends, they wouldn't even utilize my free childcare service because the grandparents would like to do it as well. So doing a parents night out is out of the option, but looking for other good ideas. We ALWAYS do christmas crafts to give parents but wondering about something from myself specifically.

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I don't do it anymore but I used to make an assortment of cookies, fudge, and treats and send a nice assortment home with each family with a card from me on top.

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I also bake cookies, plus one day all the daycare kids get to decorate cookies and take theirs home.

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Just a little wreath ornament for the parents with the child's photo inside (that the children make). Something else for the children.

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I did this craft from Pinterest. Very easy & inexpensive.
(I did 24 ornaments for under $20 and in about 30 minutes)
My daughters made them for all the Grandmas, Aunts etc.

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I have done this for the last few years and I have to say it has been one of the most well received things I have ever done. This years theme is Christmas Tree, last year was Snowmen and the year before that was Rudolph.

For the kids I just do a treat bag, like I do for every other holiday. Maybe a little larger and more personalized, but nothing super expensive. This year it's Christmas coloring books, markers that I got at school time, some candy and some odds and ends (think Oriental Trading), gloves, etc.

I'll try and attach a photo of last years project.

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I have stated this before, but I tend to be a little over the top with gifts. Besides what the parents receive from their children, I also make a tin of homemade goodies for each set of parents. I have done homemade cookie tins for years and years, way before I had children and provided child care, so baking this time of year is practically second nature (plus I absolutely love to bake!). I usually make 8-10 different types of candies and cookies. For obvious reasons, there is absolutely no way my family could eat it all. It is funny to see how the cookies remain the same year after year but those who receive them always ends up different. I used to give them away to coworkers, but these days they go to family, neighbors and daycare parents. As it gets closer to Christmas, I end up giving them to other random people to just rid my house of them haha! Out of all my goodies, I usually end up only eating ~2 different kinds of cookies and not many of them. My dh only eats the toffee and I limit the sweets to my daughters so they only eat a small selection.

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We made those snowmen framed pictures last year too!!

I take between Christmas and New Years off and I have found that the parents usually don't even mention the Christmas gifts by the time I see them in January.

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Aren't they cute? I have a folder full of stuff I run across and save. I like doing footprints because no matter what age you can get a footprint!

I do the same thing ~ Several of my families emailed or texted me and said how much they like them. I only had two of my eight families use the coupons last year. I don't know if they misplaced them or just decided not to use them.

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I used to do this. Truthfully I stopped because I felt like I was always the one who was making something for the dcf and their kids, ie..on birthdays I made cakes and had a party for dck with small presents. Same on Christmas...and then I guess I just got irritated when I didn't even get one Christmas card last year. I decided that I wasn't doing any gifts anymore. We may still make an assortment of cookies this year for a few favorite families that have been thoughtful throughout the year....but not all of them.

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Haha you sound like my dh. For years and years he has been saying to me "Why do you stress yourself out making all of those cookies when nobody is appreciative? You're lucky to get a thank you!" I guess I assume that many people forget or are not good about showing their appreciation but really do like it (I know, I know, still no excuse for not being thankful). I do it because it makes me feel good, not necessarily to receive something in return (even if that "something" is a simple thank you ).

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I love this idea I never thought of giving the parents a gift from me. Next year this is on my list. Might do a pajama night...thanks!

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It's such a good idea to do the parents night, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I have 2 of my own kids, I could never do a Saturday. I need those 2 days off to recharge.

I was considering buying gift certificates from restaurant.com when they are on sale. You can get a $25 gift certificate for $4 for a local place. What does everyone think about this idea? For those parents that know about the great prices from restaurant.com, they might think it's kind of lame.

I will do a craft for the kids to give their parents, but really, that's a gift from the kids, even though I am supplying the supplies and helping.

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I've done it as a pajama party before and that was a big hit. We had breakfast for dinner and decorated pillow cases.

The past few years I invited the 2+ crowd to sleep over and that was a lot of fun, too. I have a really young group this year, only one is 2+. So, while I invited older siblings (past dc kids) I decided not to do a sleepover this year.

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In the past I have bought the kids a small gift (usually around $10) and I give the parents a gift card to somewhere in the area (usually for coffee!) for around $25. I only have 3 families tho, so it's not a huge deal and one of which are very limited PT, so I may not even do the gift card for them!?

I also do a craft with the kids to give their parents, an ornament or something like that!

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