Christmas gift for your babysitter or nanny: what to give and how much

The short answer: A good Christmas gift for your babysitter or nanny is usually cash or a flexible gift card, plus a small personal touch from the kids. For a full-time nanny, a common guideline is about one week's pay as a holiday bonus. For an occasional sitter, many families give around one evening's pay.

These are common customs, not rules, so adjust to your budget and how often they help.

Common bonus ranges

How much you give usually depends on how often the person works for you and for how long.

If a full bonus isn't possible this year, a smaller amount with a heartfelt note is still appreciated. Many families also add a paid day off during the holidays for a full-time nanny.

The Emily Post Institute's holiday tipping guide suggests up to one evening's pay plus a small gift from the kids for a regular babysitter, and up to one week's pay for a live-in nanny. Our holiday tipping guide has amounts for everyone else on your list, from teachers to the mail carrier.

Example: turning "one evening's pay" into dollars

The ranges above are easier to use with real numbers. These examples are made up for illustration, so plug in what you actually pay:

For a regular sitter, a gift near one evening's pay plus a small gift from the kids falls inside the common range. For a full-time nanny, one week's pay is the typical starting point, and a paid day off or a thoughtful personal gift can go on top.

Gift ideas for a regular sitter

Most babysitters are students or young adults. Practical, flexible gifts work best.

• A gift card she'll use. Coffee, a bookstore or a general card she can spend anywhere.
• Insulated water bottle: useful for school, work and the park.
• Portable phone charger slim: a good add-on gift for under $25.
• Cozy throw blanket: warm and nice to receive in winter.

Gift ideas for a full-time nanny

On top of the bonus, a small personal gift shows thought.

• Personalized tote bag: for all the things she carries for your kids.
• Spa gift set for women: a pampering gift for someone who spends the day caring for others.
• Leather planner: for keeping her own schedule.
• A photo book of the year. Photos of her with the kids, printed and bound.

Gifts from the kids

The part caregivers often keep is what the children make.

1. A drawing or painting. Frame it simply.
2. A handwritten card. Older kids can write their favorite memory from the year.
3. Baked cookies. Let the kids decorate them.
4. A handprint ornament. Add the year on the back.

What to write in the card

The card often matters as much as the gift. Name one or two specific things: how she gets your toddler to nap, the way your kids light up when she arrives, the night she stayed late when you were stuck in traffic. Keep it short and genuine. If your children are old enough, let them add a line of their own. A sitter who feels valued is more likely to stay with your family, which is worth far more than the size of the bonus.

Gifts to avoid

Skip personal items like perfume or clothing, which depend on taste and size. Avoid anything with your kids' photos on it as the only gift for a sitter who works for several families; pair it with cash or a card instead. Don't give a bonus late in January when she may have counted on it for the holidays. And if money is tight, be honest and give what you can with a warm note rather than skipping it entirely.

Make sitter nights easier next year

A great gift for your sitter is also a well-organized house. Our Household Binder ($6.99) has sitter information pages, an emergency plan and family contacts, so whoever watches the kids has what they need in one place.

Budgeting for caregiver gifts

Caregiver bonuses can be one of the biggest lines in the December budget. Plan them first, before gifts for extended family. List each caregiver with the amount, then set aside the money in early December. Our Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has room for every name, including teachers, coaches and sitters. The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) adds a sinking funds tracker, so next year's bonuses are saved month by month.

Taxes and pay for nannies

If you employ a nanny directly, a cash holiday bonus is generally treated as wages for tax purposes. Rules depend on your situation, so check with a tax professional or the IRS household employer guidance. A small non-cash gift is different from a bonus.

See also: holiday tipping guide, Christmas gifts for teachers, printable gifts and Christmas gifts for coworkers.

If you pay a nanny regularly, the IRS explains your obligations in Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide.