The holidays are here! The excitement of the season is in full force — as is holiday shopping. Over at Sittercity.com, the most popular question we get from parents this time of year is what they should give to their babysitter/nanny as a gift.

We know that the economy has made gift-giving a little tougher this year, so we’re going to start with more affordable gift ideas and work our way up to the common monetary gifts that are always popular.

1. HANDMADE GIFTS

Sitters and nannies often love getting handmade gifts from the children, so that’s a great place to start. Having the kids make the sitter an ornament, delicious holiday cookies and/or a thoughtful card is a cute and personal way to show your appreciation for all the work that your caregiver does.

Handmade gifts are good on their own, but they’re also a nice way to supplement a monetary gift, especially if you have to cut back on the cash presents th

2. FEEL-GOOD GIFTS

Polls through Sittercity.com have indicated that the most popular non-cash babysitter gifts are what we call “feel-good gifts”:

• Mall and movie gift cards
• Bath and body products
• Gourmet food treats
• Clothing (like a cute new scarf)

Sticking to something in this general feel-good category is always a sure thing. Again, to add a personal touch to this type of gift, have your children make their own holiday card to go along with the present!

3. MONETARY BONUS

A Sittercity poll also revealed that babysitters’ favorite holiday gift is a monetary bonus. After all, sitters are often looking for extra cash to cover their own holiday expenses, pay tuition, etc. Some parents prefer bonuses to raises because a bonus is not a year-round commitment.

What to Pay: For a part-time sitter, double her pay for the last job that she does just before the holidays. For a steady babysitter/nanny working more than 20 hours a week, consider doubling her weekly salary for one week instead.

How to Pay: If you’re concerned that your sitter might mistake a bonus for a raise (oops!), the best way to offer her the extra cash is to slip a separate check inside a holiday card when you pay her for that last job.

4. RAISE

For parents who have been lucky enough to keep the same babysitter for at least six months, an annual raise is another great gift idea. If you’ve expanded your family or increased your sitter’s responsibilities without yet offering her a raise, you MUST offer one now.

What to Pay: Raises are often $1-$3 more per hour than the babysitter has been making in the past.

How to Pay: Tell the babysitter that she’s done a fabulous job and you want to raise her hourly rate. It’s simple, it’s direct, and you’ll get to see her face light up.

Remember, whatever you can afford to give your sitter this season, all that matters is that she knows that she’s appreciated. Something as small as taking a few minutes to sit her down and truly thank her for everything she does for your family is such a gracious gesture. Even if your sitter “knows” that she’s a valuable part of your family, now is the perfect time to verbalize that appreciation.

Happy holidays from Sittercity.com!

About Sittercity
Sittercity is America’s largest and most trusted online sitter network. Find the nation’s best babysitters, nannies, senior caregivers, petsitters, dog walkers, housekeepers, housesitters and tutors in every city across the country, with hundreds — even thousands — in your own neighborhood. Sittercity features a four-step screening process and sitter profiles that contain background checks, reviews, references, schedules, photos, certifications and more. All sitters are 17 or older with a wide range of skills and specialties — the options are more varied than a child’s excuses for avoiding bedtime. Click here to visit Sittercity.

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