1 February 2010
Is it tacky to give our babysitter money as a gift, instead of a Christmas present?
Posted by admin under: Parenting .
Our sitter is 12, so still young, but she does a FANTASTIC job watching my kids. I never have to worry about them when my husband and are out. She’s only been babysitting for us for about 3 months now, so I don’t know her well enough to know what she likes or needs. I’ve been racking my brain, and thought that maybe she might appreciate the extra cash….Is this a bad idea? If not, how much should we give her? All opinions are MORE then welcome!
13 Comments so far...
~Carrie~ has 5 Says:
1 February 2010 at 10:47 pm.
No it’s not tacky at all.
Tell me, what would you rather get from your employer…..scented lotion or a cash bonus?:-)
*smile* Says:
2 February 2010 at 1:36 am.
No, I bet she would LOVE cash, at that age. If you really wanted to get a gift you could get her a good paperback book and put the cash in the card.
winkster520 Says:
3 February 2010 at 11:26 am.
I think it is a good idea. She will appreciate it and can buy what she wants.
greenjellybean Says:
6 February 2010 at 7:16 pm.
I don’t know. I doubt a 12 year old would think it was “tacky” but maybe a gift certificate for the local mall or something placed inside a card would be a little more….formal.
BG Says:
10 February 2010 at 4:32 am.
I think she’d appreciate the cash. I don’t think it’s tacky at all. But if you wanted to make it a little more special, maybe you could buy a prepaid Visa. She can use it wherever they take Visa, and it would probably be very cool to her, using a “debit/credit card.” At least, I would have thought it cool to be using plastic at 12 years old. Sigh. It sure is a different world now.
jenga Says:
12 February 2010 at 9:17 am.
i think probably 50$ is appropriate
sorry i didnt know you were broke and cant afford 50$ for the babysitter who watches your kids when you want to go out.
Debbiee Says:
13 February 2010 at 2:50 am.
I bet she not even excepting a gift from you since she has only been working for you for 3 months. She will love the cash, I would give her and Money Card and attach a box of candy to it. She will think the candy is her gift and will be more surprise when she opens your xmas card.
Good for you to remember her. Happy Holidays.
ozboz48 Says:
14 February 2010 at 9:03 pm.
It’s more appropriate that any other gift. One tips babysitters at the end of the year.
All the best.
? Says:
17 February 2010 at 8:04 pm.
I used to babysit for people whern I was a teenager. The ones I was more than willing to go back to were the ones who handed over a bonus at Christmas. It is not just the money but the fact you know that you are really appreciated.
I presume you will be going to a Christmas party between now and Christmas. I would give her double the next time she sits for you.
Ahimsa Says:
18 February 2010 at 4:53 pm.
I’d give her a gift card, but that’s just me. Or you can call it a christmas bonus. How much do you pay her per hour?
Emmie :D Says:
21 February 2010 at 11:20 pm.
It’s not bad at all!
Money is fine.
Give her £10 or £15 (about $20, think, if you’re American).
If you are unsure about giving her money, you could give her a store voucher, which is kind of money, but a bit more gift - ish!
I gave my babysitter an Accessorize voucher for christmas last year.
x
*** Says:
22 February 2010 at 10:39 pm.
the old faithful wally world gift card is always a big hit,$30.00-$40.00 is resonable.
Kily Says:
26 February 2010 at 7:19 am.
I used to babysit for a few familys. 3 mainly.
one, a single mom who i was semi-related to, didnt get anything.
Another would give me 20-30 in a card around the holidays
the last normally had me booked for new years eve, and would pay me more than normal. (8pm-1am i got 80$)