NICU Gifts?

[Mommy2APrincess]

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I am wanting to get a special Christmas gift for the NICU staff that have just been absolutely amazing to me and my boys - but I'm a little unsure of what to get! Even if I spent $10 for every person I would like to thank I would be in excess of $200 and I just don't have it like that. I was thinking of a cookie platter (higher shelf life for those that may not be working on Christmas day) but I'm unsure about food. I really want to thank them somehow - after all, they're taking care of 2 of the 3 most precious things in my life! (Not to mention the compassion they've shown to me during my moments of heartache and grief.)

I know the hospital is always taking monetary donations and my mom, a quilter with her own store, is planning to make a couple of quilts to raffle off with the proceeds going to the hospital on behalf of Carson and Aiden, but that won't be in time for the holidays.

Any ideas?

[solo]

we gave the hospital staff a digital camara to take pict's of the little ones with thier mom's and dad's when my little one left the hospital.( he now 2 and almost 35 pd's and 40 inches, no one believe's he 2.)

[whip]

When the kids were being discharged, we gave chocolate/candy covered pretzel trays for the NICU team, L&D nursing staff and my OB's team. I made sure there was enough for everyone to enjoy. I also wrote them letters to explain our tremendous gratitude for helping our family and gave specific examples... like how our fav nurse calmed me down when I was hysterical on the phone b/c I missed my babies after only leaving them 30 minutes earlier or when they dressed my duo in my "fav" outfits b/c they remembered what outfits I liked best.

I think whatever you decide to give the staff they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[FiletMe]

Good suggestion on the digital camera, but if they have already have one, maybe one of those small printers so that they can print the photos right there at the hospital. I think that a fresh fruit tray (or something from Edible Arrangements) is also a nice change from the sweets at Christmas, or maybe one of those really long sub sandwiches for those working on Christmas. It's a sweet thought to want to get them something, but I truthfully don't think they expect individual gifts. Someone last year posted some ideas for inexpensive gifts, and a really cute one was taking a whisk and you fill it with Hershey's kisses, then wrap it up with saran wrap or clear paper, put a nice ribbon or bow on it, and attach a tag that says "We whisk you a Merry Christmas". It was cute, cheap (you can get whisks at the dollar store), easy to put together, and you could put something else on the tag like "hugs and kisses from Carson and Aiden". You might be more creative with the wording than I am!
You are so sweet to want to do something for the nurses with all that you have going on!
Amy

I can't believe I still had the site bookmarked!
http://organizedchristmas.com/whisk-you-merry-kissmas

[TwoQTs]

Several people brought in cookie platters when the girls were in NICU & the staff was very appreciative.

Since it was Christmastime, some of the regular staff who had primary care of the girls were not there Christmas week anyway; casual staff was mostly on duty that week.

[MomNC]

When my kids were in NICU, I think we did a muffin/bagel trays. We did 2 trays...one for the day staff, and one for the night staff. And we got their primary nurses a little something extra.

Christmas is interesting at NICU. There is a mad sprint to try and get babies home if they are close to discharge. We thought our DD would make it home (her due date was 12/24), but she came home 12/29. Her twin bro was a ways off.

We also decorated our babies' isolettes and brought their Christmas gifts there. We had our own little Christmas.

[spoiledbrat]

We werent there for Christmas but we were there for Easter and DH and I made a huge basket of candy for all the staff and they loved it, I also made a basket for my nurses on the postpartem/labor & delivery nurses also since I was in the hospital 2mo before Zoie finally arrived.

Rhonda

[jennifuz]

We gave the staff a few boxes of See's candies to have around and munch on...

[spoiledbrat]

I am sure they are enjoying the candy, what a wonderful and thoughtful thing you did for them.


Rhonda

[bellastar]

When my ^triplets^ were in the hospital we brought in a basket with a cloth liner in it for their break room and would refill it once or twice a week with goodies(granola bars, etc). I placed a picture of my last surviving triplet at the time on it and a thank you message from him. When I brought in goodies to refill the basket our primary nurse would just take them to the break room and refill it.