Getting a thank you gift for your foreign domestic helper doesn’t have to be a costly expenditure. Here, we show you a few great gift ideas to consider for your hard-working helper.
As the holidays approach, it is time to start thinking about what gifts you’ll be purchasing for the people in your life, including your domestic helper. To show your gratitude for their work, you may find yourself wanting to get them a holiday gift as a sign of appreciation. There are plenty of great gifts out there that are great for domestic workers and provide long-lasting value. We’ve compiled a list of 5 gifts that are not just great tokens of appreciation, but can also create long-term positive effects for your FDW.
Streaming Subscription
If you are looking for something that will provide your domestic worker with relaxation and entertainment, consider purchasing them a video streaming subscription. This can be an especially useful gift, considering the current climate. Rather than purchasing them one-time vouchers to the cinema, a streaming subscription will allow them to view many different movies, for a fraction of the cost. More specifically, the average cost for a movie ticket in Singapore ranges anywhere from S$5.50 to S$14.50 and the price range for a streaming subscription is between S$2.99 and S$11.98 per month. By solely watching 2 movies within a month, your domestic worker will get more value out of their subscription than they will from one-off entertainment vouchers.
A MySkillsFuture Personal Finance Course
Another beneficial gift that could be great for your domestic worker is an online course that teaches personal finance education. For domestic workers who have very little understanding of personal finance, a gift like this gives them the perfect opportunity to get their foot in the door. The courses offered teach valuable information about budgeting, financial planning, and saving for retirement. While this gift is on the more expensive side, it is well worth it considering the fact the information they learn will help them for years to come.
A Bank/Savings Account
One gift that you can consider for your domestic worker is a savings account. Surprisingly, 49% of domestic workers do not have a bank account, which makes it quite difficult for them to manage their personal finances. While it’s not a flashy or fancy gift, opening a bank account will give them a safe place to put their earnings and earn some interest along the way.
A Bonus Payment
Another great gift to consider is a bonus. While it may seem like a bonus as a gift may not seem as thoughtful, it does give your domestic worker the freedom to choose what they want to buy, and can be a good way of thanking them for the great work they've done over the past year.
There are a few ways you can decide the size of the bonus. One way is to base it off of a percentage of your domestic worker’s hourly pay. Another way is to provide them with a cash equivalent to a different gift you were considering.
A Relaxing Day at the Spa
Being a domestic helper can be quite taxing on the body, and a great way to remedy this is by giving them a voucher for a spa treatment. This gift provides a great way for your domestic workers to relieve their aches and pains, which, in turn, could lead to better productivity. The cost of a spa treatment can vary depending on what type you purchase. For those with a higher budget, you can consider purchasing a voucher that provides several hours of treatment, whereas those with a smaller budget can consider purchasing a voucher that provides 30 minutes to 2 hours worth of treatment.
A Little Thanks Goes A Long Way
Employing a domestic worker is expensive as it is, but a small token of appreciation can go a long way to improving your relationship. A great way to make your gift buying process easier is by taking a little bit of time to understand your domestic worker’s interests. This will give you great insight into what they enjoy. If you are concerned about piling costs, you can consider cutting expenses to make more room in your budget. For instance, why not swap your maid insurance for a cheaper plan? You may actually save as much as S$161 on a 26-month plan without sacrificing quality coverage. Regardless of your budget, there are so many different gifts you can get to show your domestic worker how thankful you are for them.
About Alex Noonan
Alex is a Junior Research Analyst at ValueChampion, analyzing various financial decisions for consumers in Singapore, from which credit cards provide the best values, how to maximise value of miles and other personal finance matters. Previously an SEO Analyst at a New York based fin-tech company, specializing in small business advice, he has extensive experience in content production & web optimization. He is a recent graduate of Rutgers University, with a major in Supply Chain Management.
