How to Thank Someone Who Babysits Once in a While.

I have a neighbor who will babysit our son every once in a while, and yes, I will occasionally buy her a little something, even if it's a $10 Target GC. This year, I gave her son a birthday present. We don't buy for each other's kids, so this was unexpected for her, but I told her it was just a small way for me to show her gratitude for how she helps us out.

I also make sure I write her a Thank You note and I tend to include a picture of my son, just to make it extra special b/c she adores my son.

I have friends who babysit my son too, but we just trade off babysitting for eachother, so that's a wash.

by the American Express gift Card, that way she can spend it anyware she wants. Small gift Cards to there fav places. Or have them meet you for dinner (hubby watches the kids) and you pick up the tab. I have a friend who watches my daughter from time to time and she never accepts money or anything. But if we go out some ware I will buy her lunch or buy her that shirt she wants and wont by for her self.

You can reciprocate or even a simple $5 GC to Starbucks or something simple...in a card telling her how much you appreciate her help. Maybe make some cookies for her...

Give a gift certificate to Target or Wal-mart.
Ice cream coupons to Chick-fil-A or McD's.

As we go out of town, etc. my neighbor & I take care of each other's homes/mail, etc. We use to buy each other presents each time as a thank you but then we finally just said, "we're thanking each other as we exchange services". So we finally stopped buying each other presents! *lol*

I think if you're babysitting each others kids all the time then a simple thank you is enough. If, for example, your friend is going beyond the call of duty then a simple gift would do.

We usually do a gift card or something as well. Our best friends mom sees my son as her "adopted grandson" and sits for us alot. She refused to accept money from us, so I have to buy her little gifts or give her gift cards, etc. She does everything for everyone else, and hardly anything for herself. I got her a gift cert for Christmas to a nail place by her house for a full spa mani/pedi. She loved it and was so grateful. Our best friend says she still talks about it!

I think its important for you to do something to say thanks, even if its small. You'll continue to get that last minute help if the person feels like you appreciate them and that little effort makes all the difference. I agree with the idea about gift cards. I know its stupid, but those little ones always make me feel like I am saving money ~ its just a little bonus! Go get a couple of GC to the movies, stores, Starbucks, Baskin Robbins, Fast Food places and keep a couple of little cards around the house so that way you can write a quick thank you note and put the gift card in it.