Gifts for Caregivers

The holiday season is a time we recognize those around us who provide essential services in our lives and show them our appreciation. Caregivers and teachers can get inundated with gifts that may not quite be their ‘cup of tea’. There are many affordable gifts you can buy. Or if you have time, create them yourself with the loving homemade touch of your child to show how much you value the special people in your lives. Don’t forget the card that expresses these feelings in words—that may be all you even need to give!

Here are a few store-bought ideas:

•    Gift cards. Let them choose their own gift. Consider bookstores, restaurants or even vacation services—supporting a local business in your community is a double-win!

•    Plants and flowers. Brighten up the staffroom or their home with air plants, a windowsill herb garden, a poinsettia or a colourful bouquet.

•    Initialed gifts. Everyone loves customization! Think name initials on mugs, keyrings, handkerchiefs, face masks or even t-shirts.

Here are a few homemade ideas:

•    Lunch. What better way to show your love then with food? Make a healthy meal or snack all the staff can share for lunch—keep it one-pot and allergen-free if possible, like a veggie chili, fruit and veggie tray or a flavoured popcorn sampler.

•    Meal in a Jar. If sharing food isn’t allowed, consider sending them home with a ready-to-make meal in a jar, like a homemade soup or pancake mix. It’s fun for kids to help prep the jars.

•    Candles. Easy to make in jars using your own colour of wax and essential oil to warm their homes on a cold winter evening.

Source:    
Nicole Fetterly, RD