What Should I Give My Nanny for a Holiday Bonus/Gift?

The holiday season is here and this is a great time of year to reward your nanny for all of their hard work and show them how much you appreciate them! Many nannies are working extra hard this time of year making sure the holiday’s are a truly magical and stress free time for your family. From holiday crafts, school parties, and baking projects, nannies certainly add to the magic of the holidays for your family!

A question we get frequently this time of year is “What is a typical holiday bonus for a nanny?” A holiday bonus should never be expected but it is standard in the nanny industry to do 1-2 weeks’ worth of pay as a holiday bonus. It is typically less if the nanny has only been with your family for a few months and on the higher end of that if they have been with you for several years.

It is nice to give your nanny their bonus early in the holiday season so they can use that extra money for holiday gifts or travel. It is also so meaningful to give a card with a heartfelt note about how much you appreciate your nanny and all they do for your family. Some families will also give a gift from their kids such as an ornament they made, framed photo, or photo book of them together.

If money is tight and you are unable to afford a bonus, there are other creative ideas you can do such as gifting them skymiles to use for a vacation or to go home to visit their family for the holidays, gifting them a weekend away if you have a second home or giving them an unexpected day off and a spa day. These are all ideas that many nannies would appreciate but from feedback we receive from nannies, a bonus is always at the top of their list!

If you have given a higher bonus in the past but can’t afford to do the same amount this year, it is always good to communicate that with your nanny. Otherwise they may be left feeling confused or it could cause unnecessary resentment.

Some families choose to do a cash bonus but if you pay the bonus through payroll, that is considered taxable income for your nanny.

If you have further questions about offering a bonus or what is appropriate, we are always happy to help advise you on these matters at Your Happy Nest! Reach out to your direct contact with our agency and we would be more than happy to offer our advice and suggestions. If you are new to our agency, you are welcome to email our general mailbox HERE and we will be happy to assist!