One of the most common questions from parents this time of year is what they should give to their babysitter or child care nanny this holiday season.

While a third of sitters said they are not expecting a holiday gift from their families this year, those who are hoping for a little something were fairly consistent. The following are those gifts topping sitters’ wish lists for this holiday season.

Monetary Gift. Fifty-seven percent of Sittercity sitters ranked cash the highest on the list. Some parents prefer bonuses to raises because a bonus is not a year-round commitment. So how much do you pay? For a part-time sitter, double her pay for the last job that she had before the holidays. For a steady babysitter/nanny working more than 20 hours a week, consider doubling her weekly salary for one week instead.

Gift Certificates. If a monetary gift is not an option, a Sittercity.com poll indicated that the most popular non-cash babysitter gift is a gift certificate. There are a great deal of gift certificates to choose from: movie passes, popular restaurant, favorite store. Make sure you know what your sitter likes so he or she can get something they would use for the holidays.

Handmade Gifts. Sitters and nannies often love getting handmade gifts from the children, so that’s a great place to start. Have the kids make your sitter an ornament, delicious holiday cookies and or a thoughtful card is a cute and personal way to show your appreciate for all that your caregiver does. Note: Handmade gifts are good on their own, but it’s best to supplement them with a monetary gift.
Remember that whatever you can afford to give your sitter this season, all that matters is that she knows she is appreciated. Just taking a few minutes to thank her for everything she does for your family will go a long way in helping to make her season bright. Happy gifting!

SOURCE Sittercity.com