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

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As families prepare to help kids draft their “Dear Santa” letters, Toys”R”Us today announced the launch of ‘Wish List,’ making it easier for gift-givers to grant gifts for kids this holiday season.

Using Wish List, parents and kids together can create a tailored list of toys based not only on what the child wants, but on his or her age, interests and abilities. This helps guide gift-givers to make appropriate toy selections and provides parents and families more input on the gifts their children receive for holidays and birthdays. Wish Lists can now be created, updated and maintained online at Toysrus.com/WishList and in all Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores nationwide.

“At Toys”R”Us, we know that creating wish lists during the holiday season and for other special occasions are among the most memorable experiences a child can have,” said Greg Ahearn, Senior Vice President, Marketing and e-commerce, Toys”R”Us, Inc. “Wish List provides families a fun way to spend time together, and at the same time, gives parents the opportunity to set realistic expectations with their kids about the presents they may receive.”

To begin the Wish List process, parents and caregivers create one master account online or through in-store Registry Centers or Guest Services stations. Once registered, Wish List participants can generate as many Wish Lists as they would like for each of their children, tailoring them for specific occasions, such as birthdays or holidays. Together with their little ones, customers can browse and select products with scanning devices in Toys”R”Us stores or with the click of a button online to create and update a running list.

Customers who create a Wish List for their child can enjoy the following benefits:

Customize a Child’s List with the RIGHT Toys — Wish Lists guide gift-givers to toys that are age-appropriate and suitable for an individual child’s skill level, helping to ensure that a child is not frustrated or bored with a toy.

Set Expectations in Advance of the Big Day — The exercise of building a Wish List can be used as an opportunity to teach kids about the cost of certain products and which items are within budgetary reach, so they are not disappointed if they do not receive a particular toy.

Rely on Expert Advice from The Toy Authority — In making Wish List selections, toy-buyers can consult with the company’s knowledgeable store associates or utilize the Gift Finder application on Toysrus.com for toy suggestions for a child’s Wish List.

Share Wish Lists Easily with Gift-Givers Near and Far — Notifying friends and family of a Wish List is as easy as sending insert cards that include the registrant’s Wish List number. Wish Lists can then be printed in-store at Wish List kiosks, Registry Centers or Guest Services stations. Wish Lists can also be shared via e-mail or through social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Avoid Duplicate Gifts — Once a gift is purchased, it is deducted from the Wish List, just like a gift registry, so kids do not receive more than one of the same gift.

Maintaining a List is Simple — Regardless of where it is created, a Wish List can be updated and maintained in any store or online. And, long after a birthday or holiday has passed, items that have not been purchased remain on a Wish List, in the event that friends and family want to give “just because” presents.

Source Toys R Us

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