With the holidays steadily approaching and Christmas decorations proudly displayed in every store, it’s time to start planning the holidays and preparing for the excitement of Christmas trees, holiday food and gift giving.

Are your family’s hands as clean as they could be? Read the DETTOL Liquid Hand Wash reviews here

Once you’ve decided where to set up your tree this year, your thoughts may turn to the presents that you’re going to put under it.

While, no doubt your children have lists of things they’d like for Christmas, you may feel slightly less sure about what to get for your au pair. Finding the perfect gift for someone who is no doubt a big part of your family’s life can be tricky, so Nicole Kofkin from Smart Au Pairs has put together some ideas to help you decide the best way to show your appreciation.

Location, location, location

Your au pair is far from home and may be used to spending this time of year with friends and family.

This will be a memorable Christmas for her with new traditions in a brand new place and new people with whom to share it.

You may like to consider getting her something that will remind her of her time in your city or of Australia by buying something that is unique to your country or state.

Consider a piece of jewellery in the shape of your state or postcards from all the places she’s experienced on her trip. By reminding her what’s special about where she is, you’ll not only help to fight off homesickness, you’ll also have given her something she can keep long after her time with you is over.

Part of the family

Your au pair has spent a lot of time getting to know your children and will likely feel like an integral part of your day-to-day lives now. Why not make her really feel like part of the family with a gift that reminds her of the special bond she shares with your children. This may be a personalised mug or photo frame or a Christmas stocking to hang next to the rest of the family’s stockings.

Whatever you decide, get the kids involved in helping pick something special that shows that they appreciate how much she does too.

Made with love

Your au pair will have a special bond with your children and share your sense of pride in everything that they do.

Getting the kids to make something special for your au pair for Christmas will get them involved and excited and will provide your au pair with a one of a kind keepsake that will bring back memories of her time with the children.

Think of activities they enjoy doing together such as crafts or painting or perhaps create a collage of all the things they appreciate about their au pair.

Whatever you choose, make sure you stick to projects that are age appropriate and that aren’t too complex or you may find yourself dashing off to find a gift at the last minute to replace an overly ambitious Pinterest project that seemed like a good idea at the time!

Time out

While your au pair enjoys spending time with your children, you’ll know better than anyone that everyone needs some time off.

Your au pair will be on a budget and may be saving her pennies for sightseeing and experiencing all that Australia has to offer. Why not contribute by putting some money towards an activity that you know she’s wanted to try or a weekend trip you know she’s been saving up for.

You could also show that you know how much hard work she puts in by getting her a voucher for a massage or another relaxing activity you know she enjoys.

This will help make her trip extra special and help her extend her budget to make sure she can tick off all the activities she’s been wanting to try.

Whatever you decide to get for your au pair, remember to make sure that any keepsakes are light enough to fit in her luggage and aren’t likely to get damaged on a long flight.

Also remember to take into account your au pair’s interests and likes and dislikes as this will show her that you’ve taken the time to get to know her and have thought carefully about a personal gift you know she will enjoy.

Have you given your au pair a great Christmas gift? Share your awesome ideas with us in the comments!

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com