There is a group of adults who do a great deal for a child and are thanked with a card: godparents, nannies, childminders, the au pair, the nursery key worker. The right gift for them is specific rather than expensive. It names the child, it names the role, and it is something they will use on a Tuesday. This is a short list for each.
Godparents, on the day
The tradition runs both ways: the godparent gives the child a keepsake, and the parents give the godparent a small thank-you for taking the role on. A kraft notebook with "Godmother to Ivy · 14 June 2026" on the cover, or a fabric coaster with the same line, is enough: the point is the date and the role, written down. A personalised iced coffee glass with the godparent's name is the version for the friend who will actually use it. For what the godparent gives the child, see christening and naming day gifts that get kept.
Nannies and childminders, at the end of a year
The end of a childminding year, a nanny leaving, a child moving up to school: these are the moments. The best gift is the one that carries the child's name to the person, because that is the relationship. A photo mug with a photo of the child and the childminder together on one side and "Thank you, from Ivy" on the other; or a tote bag gift set with the childminder's name for the daily walk to the park. A childminder with several families gets several mugs; make yours the one with the photo.
Nursery key workers and the whole room
For a room of four staff, one gift each with their own name, rather than one shared thing: a coaster or a notebook each, or a set of three photo magnets for the room's fridge with the child's photo and "Thank you from Ivy, Butterfly Room 2026".
Wording that says the specific thing
- Godmother to Ivy · 14 June 2026
- Ivy's godfather
- Thank you for saying yes
- Thank you, from Ivy (and her parents)
- Ivy's second-favourite person
- Butterfly Room · 2026
- The one Ivy talks about at tea
- For the park walks
- Nanny Jo
- Sarah · childminder · est. 2015
Use the child's name; that is the gift. Script suits a christening date, Block suits a nursery room. The font guide has the six styles.
Timing
Everything is printed to order in Cheshire, usually dispatched within one to three working days, with free UK delivery. Christenings have a fixed date; order at least a week before. End-of-year thank-yous are best given on the last day, not the last week, so the person is not carrying gifts around. Because each piece carries the name you type, it cannot be returned for a spelling change; check how the childminder spells her name on the invoice. More in thank you gifts.
Frequently asked questions
Do parents give godparents a gift at a christening?
It is a common, quiet tradition: a small thank-you for taking the role on, printed with the role and the date ('Godmother to Ivy · 14 June 2026') on a notebook, coaster or glass.
What is a good thank-you gift for a childminder or nanny?
Something that carries the child's name to them: a photo mug with the child and the childminder together, or a named tote bag set for the daily park walk.
What should a thank-you gift for nursery staff say?
The child's name, the room and the year, or a line only that child would say. One named gift per staff member beats one shared gift for the room.
