This blog was originally published on Nov. 29, 2021, and was updated on Nov. 19, 2024, with new information. The holiday season is here! That means it’s time to, once again, answer the age-old question of what gifts to give your staff.
Child care is an incredibly rewarding career, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult. Your staff works hard to create your daycare’s warm, safe and educational environment. Show them you appreciate their efforts with a gift.
Every employee, regardless of where they work, wants to feel valued. One of the easiest ways to make them feel this way is to give them a holiday gift. And when employees feel valued, they tend to stick around. This is important because staff turnover is expensive. Your business will grow faster when you don’t have to spend resources hiring new employees.
Weâve compiled four holiday gift ideas to help you decide what to give your employees this year!
1. A Gift Card
Nope, itâs not the most original holiday gift idea. But what gift cards lack in originality they make up for in practicality. Seriously, who wouldn’t want an extra $25 to spend on Amazon or Starbucks or at a book store. The answer is basically no one.
The trick is choosing the right gift card for each of your team members. Think about each employeeâs interests and choose a gift card that matches those interests.
For example, if one of your teachers always has a mug in their hands, they’d probably enjoy a coffee or tea-related gift card. Teachers who work full-time and have a gaggle of kids might appreciate an Amazon card, which will allow them to shop without leaving the house.
Gift cards don’t have to be a thoughtless gift. Personalizing them doesnât have to be difficult, and when in doubt, opt for a Visa gift card that can be used anywhere.
2. A Day of Relaxation
Child care is stressful. Help your employees relax by giving them a day at the spa or a trip to the masseuse for a massage. They’ll need it after a whole year of wrangling kiddos.
What if your teachers are homebodies and the thought of going somewhere to relax actually adds to their stress levels? No problem. Bring the spa and/or massage to them. Bath bombs and essential oils from Lush are popular home-pampering items. So are back, neck and shoulder massagers like this one from InvoSpa, which you can buy on Amazon.
Spoil your team with holiday gift ideas that center around tranquility and relaxation this year!
3. A Beautiful Plant
Did you know that indoor plants can boost your mood, productivity levels and creative abilities, while reducing stress and minimizing sickness? It’s true!
Obviously, we all need more plants in our lives, which is why beautiful potted plants and mini desktop gardens are excellent holiday gift ideas. Appreciation Plant Cubes from Baudville are great options, too, and have the added benefit of being super affordable.
Just make sure to choose a plant that’s easy to maintain. The last thing you want to do is give your employees another chore to complete on a daily basis.
So, when doing your research, look for plants that are easy to take care of, even for those without the greenest thumb in town.
4. A Meaningful Book
Books make for great holiday gifts. The key, as with gift cards, is to give the right book to the right person.
What do your employees like to do in their free time? What goals do they want to achieve in the next year or two? Non-fiction books that speak to these things would be wonderful gifts. For example, if one of your teachers sells jewelry on Etsy, she might really appreciate a book about entrepreneurship and growing a side hustle.
Novels can be excellent holiday gift ideas, too, because they offer an escape from reality â something we all need from time to time.
Again, take your employees’ preferences into account. If they like sci-fi and fantasy, buy them a book about weird creatures in an imaginary world. If they enjoy reading romance novels, buy them a book where two people fall in love.
âWrappingâ Up and Looking Ahead to Next Year!
Finding and retaining good staff is the biggest hurdle facing child care providers today, which means it’s important to show your valued teachers and other employees how much you appreciate their hard work!
The 2024 Child Care Management Software Industry Trends Report from Procare Solutions found that 61% of respondents said itâs a challenge to hire and retain staff. The data from the confirms that staffing shortages are affecting centers in multiple ways:
Many in our field face the challenge of balancing the demands of their work with personal well-being. Showing your appreciation for your ECE teachers and staff is something you must do year-round, and not just around the holidays.
Check out this free infographic with tips on stopping staff burnout in ECE professionals and learn how Procare can help!
