Coming up with gift ideas for a babysitter or nanny isn’t a task that should be taken lightly. These are the valuable people, after all, who not only make your life much easier and more manageable throughout the year, but they also love on your little ones as if they’re their own.
Gift giving is always personal when the relationship is too, but to get you started, we’ve rounded up ideas for babysitter and nanny gifts. From sleek to cheap to homemade, there’s a gift idea in here for every budget.
Babysitter and nanny gifts under $20
Want to give a little something without breaking the bank? These cool nanny and babysitter gifts are super affordable.
1. 3D bookshelf mug
Talk about a unique gift for the book-loving nanny! This cool coffee/tea mug is the perfect thing to stare at in the wee hours of the morning when just coming to. (And, no, the coffee isn’t going to spill out, even though that’s exactly what it looks like!)
Where to buy: 3D Bookshelf Mug ($11, Light in the Box)
2. Clippable card pouch
It’s a wallet! It’s a keychain! It’s a wallet keychain! Exactly zero babysitters and/or nannies could do without a portable (stylish!) place to keep their cards and their keys.
Where to buy: Clippable Card Pouch ($24, Lululemon)
3. Artisan terracotta planter
For the caregiver who is also a plant lover. There’s no cuter way to say thank you than a gorgeous indoor planter perfect for succulents or other small flowers.
Where to buy: Mini artisan planter (Natural Life, $12)
4. Plush cookie throw
It looks good enough to eat, but it’s not … because this chocolate chip cookie is a blanket. Talk about making movie nights extra sweet! Also available in pizza or tortilla. Yum.
Where to buy: Plush Cookie Throw ($16, Target)
5. Cheese-Shaped Candles
Keeping with the foodie nanny gifts theme, how about these super realistic cheese candles? Candles are always a popular present, but how many people receive one that looks like it was plucked from a cheese board? (And, yes, they have a cheese scent.)
Where to buy: Cheese-Shaped Candles ($10, Amazon)
6. Palo Santo sticks
Whether they want to cleanse their space (or, hey, yours) or just enjoy the smoky, woodsy scent, this chic pack of wood incense sticks is a sweet little gift.
Where to buy: Bursera Palo Santo Sticks ($17, Amazon)
Homemade gifts for nanny or sitter
Fact: Few things are more meaningful than a homemade gift from the kids. Get crafty with one of these thoughtful DIY gifts.
7. DIY cardboard photo frame
Truly, the thing that will likely warm your nanny or babysitter’s heart the most is a framed photo of them with the kids. And all the better if you and the kids create a DIY cardboard photo frame, like this sweet one from Let’s Do Something Crafty.
8. DIY wallpaper coasters
Drink rings, begone! These pretty DIY wallpaper coasters from The Thinking Closet aren’t just practical, they’re super cute and fun to make. Nannies and babysitters will both love them and be impressed!
9. Sweater coffee cozy
Talk about smart! Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss had the cute idea of creating a sweater coffee cozy with no knitting required. You — and the sitter — are winning on all fronts with this gift!
10. Homemade exfoliating body scrub
For a fun afternoon concocting in the kitchen that results in a wonderful beauty product, consider making one of these DIY exfoliating scrubs from Tasty Home.
11. Beaded bracelets
You can get as simple or as elaborate as you want with these DIY beaded bracelets from @selfcaresundayx on TikTok — and that’s part of the beauty. Depending on the age of your kids, keep things super basic or get crazy with different patterns and designs. Either way, your sitter or nanny will be proud to rock it.
Personalized nanny or babysitter gift ideas
It’s not anyone’s gift, it’s their gift. Check out these personalized presents for nannies and babysitters.
12. Monogrammed leather zipper pouch
Now this is a classic pouch! Get your nanny or babysitter’s initials engraved on this mini pouch that will fit all of their essentials.
Where to buy: Everyday Italian Leather Mini Zipper Pouch ($49, Mark and Graham)
13. Personalized notecard set
Help revive the dying art of handwriting notes — but make it fashun. Few things are more thoughtful, or classy, than a pack of personalized stationery.
Where to buy: Notecards (Starting at $50 for 20, Papier)
14. Dainty custom name bracelet
Whether they want to wear it on its own or with other bracelets, this dainty name bracelet is sure to steal the show — and it’s a fun alternative to the ubiquitous nameplate!
Where to buy: Dainty name bracelet ($49, Custom Goods)
15. Personalized insulated bottle
The cool thing about these insulated water bottles (aside from the fact that they’re so pretty) is that they can be personalized with both your nanny’s name and birth month flower!
Where to buy: Personalized insulated bottle (starting at $20, Craftverse Art/Etsy)
16. Custom kids drawing necklace
Make a beloved drawing from the kids last forever. These necklaces come in several finishes and can be customized with any art you prefer.
Where to buy: Custom kids drawing necklace (starting at $39, Caitlyn Minimalist/Etsy)
17. Heart collage art print
If you have enough photos of the kids with their nanny or babysitter, consider creating a beautiful heart collage of all of their memories together. One of the most thought gift ideas for a babysitter or nanny!
Where to buy: Tilted Heart Collage Art Print ($45, Shutterfly)
Practical gifts for nannies and sitters
Practical? Yes. Boring? Never. Any babysitter or nanny will get a lot of use out of these gifts.
18. Feetures socks
For nannies that are on their feet all day (read: all nannies), consider gifting them with socks that are made for just that. Feetures socks have built-in compression, added cushion and reduce the risk of blisters.
Where to buy: Feetures socks (3 pair for $54, Feetures)
19. A very good mug
When you’re watching kids, there’s a good chance your coffee is going to go cold. Enter the Yeti Rambler, which will keep drinks piping hot for hours.
Where to buy: 14 oz. Yeti Rambler Stackable Mug ($30, Yeti)
20. Purse organizer
Talk about a genius invention! This organizer makes it so purses, nanny bags or babysitting kits stay neat and organized on the inside while also providing a super-simple way to switch bags.
Where to buy: OHMYSTYLE Purse Organizer (starting at $10, Amazon)
21. Insulated lunch pack
If your nanny brings their lunch to your house each day, a thoughtful gift might be a new insulated lunch pack — and one that’s pretty to look at to boot!
Where to buy: Joymee Insulated Lunch Pack ($14, Amazon)
22. Mug warmer
Never let your caregiver find themselves standing in front of the microwave reheating their tea again. This handy little mug warmer will keep that drink nice and hot (and it’s portable!).
Where to buy: Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer ($20, Target)
Self-care babysitter and nanny gifts
Everyone loves to pamper themselves in some form of another. Check out these self-care-focused gifts for nannies.
23. Mini skincare set
The Ordinary brand went from having a cult following to being a major player in the skincare industry for a reason — their products work. Treat the one who watches your little ones all day with a little sampling from their line.
Where to buy: The Ordinary, The Most-Loved Set ($15, The Ordinary)
24. Mini massage gun
Touted as one of the best mini massage guns out there, the TheraGun is ideal for massaging tired muscles after time at the gym — or with the kids.
Where to buy: TheraGun Mini Massage Gun ($150, Amazon)
25. Mind and body wash
Not many people are willing to shell out the money for a fancy body wash for themselves — which is exactly why the exquisite-smelling Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash makes the perfect gift.
Where to buy: Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash ($36, Amazon)
26. Shower affirmations cards
Fact: Everyone does their best thinking — and maybe manifesting? — in the shower. So these affirmation cards are an ideal gift for anyone (read: everyone) trying to make their dream life come to fruition.
Where to buy: Shower Affirmation Cards ($17 for pack of 52, Amazon)
27. Shearling sandals
Are these practical? No. But that’s exactly what makes them an awesome gift — they’re fun, cozy and something your nanny or babysitter wouldn’t buy for themselves.
Where to buy: Arizona Teddy Shearling Birkenstock Sandals ($180, Free People)
Monetary gifts
Gifts are always nice, but at the end of the day, you can never go wrong with cash, or something that acts like it.
28. Gift card bouquet
Consider either putting together a gift card bouquet featuring a few of your nanny’s favorite places, or put all of your funds toward their favorite place. Either way, they’ll be happy for the caregiver tip!
29. Paid time off
Give the gift of time and money with an extra day off, bonus paid vacation time or other ways to cash in on a fully covered day off. It’s a great way to show some extra love to a regular sitter or full-time nanny.
30. Cash
And, of course, when it comes down to it, you can never, ever go wrong with a cash bonus. It says, “I appreciate you” and let’s them spend it where they want.
