Gift for my helper

Posted by matsai (22 days ago)

I plan to buy a welcome gift for my incoming Philipino helper. Any one has any good suggestion?

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Posted by Peggie Wong (22 days ago)

Nothing is better than money in the beginning. Give her a red packet with the amount of money you had in mind to welcome her. It would be much appreciated.

Posted by axptguy38 (22 days ago)

I would not give her extra cash until she has proven herself.

Spend some money on her room. A nice little rug, a bedspread, some nice sheets. Ask her if she needs anything for the room, like a chest of drawers from IKEA.

Posted by GreenValleys (22 days ago)

I agree that it would be far better to do something practical (like to her room) than to give money. In fact I think giving money could be absolutely the wrong thing as it could raise expectations falsely. Also if she left you early (for whatever reason) then what you have sopent on her room will still be there for the next one.

Posted by cara (22 days ago)

i agree, i would do something to make her room, her "home"

Posted by cara (22 days ago)

i would also prepare a "welcome" basket. make sure she knows that it is just to welcome her and that after this, it will be up to her to supply her own products.... but, i would include:

toothpaste
deoderant
shampoo
conditioner
soap/body wash
body scrub/exfoliator
toothbrush

etc.

Posted by Wiz Bang (22 days ago)

i agree with cara... a basket of toiletries would be nice, maybe a set of towels too.

i don't agree with giving money, expensive gifts i.e mobile phone, appliances etc at this point in time

if you have kids, have them draw up a welcome banner of sorts

also it would be good if you have a written manual for her to browse incl. duties, how your household is run and household rules, important telephone numbers, etc etc

Posted by Peggie Wong (22 days ago)

Hi O.P.

Guess my advice was not such a good idea as I see so many objections, even my husband said so after I told him. For us Chinese, to help someone without hurting their pride always come to our mind a laisee (red packet) as in lucky money. For this occasion as a welcome gift, it's really not appropriate. Sorry for the bad advice.

Maybe a scarf for the coming cold weather....just a thought!

Posted by beancurd (21 days ago)

I think the best welcoming treat that would be greatly appreciated would be a red packet with HK$50.00 to 100.00 because if she just came from Philippines, she has no Hk dollar or cash at all to buy something personal for herself.

Posted by cara (21 days ago)

THAT'S why you give a little "gift pack" at the begining. it has everything she'll need for the first month or so.

starting with money is NOT a good idea. besides, it's not like money-changers are difficult to find in hk.

Posted by matsai (21 days ago)

Apart from money or daily utilities pack, I am thinking about if there is something in the culture of Philipines that is very important and be warmly welcomed as a memorable gift.

Posted by Wiz Bang (21 days ago)

go to worldwide house in central and get her food /snacks, magazines, maybe a phone card

Posted by smallfry (20 days ago)

I think it is interesting that the western expats have said not to give money while the Chinese and Filipina posters have said to give a red packet. I guess that gift giving is culturally specific (like not giving a clock to a Chinese person).

Given that Filipino culture is more like that of HK than western cultures and the purpose of the gift is to make her welcome, I'd give the red packet. HKD100 is unlikely to corrupt her any more than a basket of toiletries, in my view. They are both nice gestures that she is likely to appreciate.

Posted by Wiz Bang (20 days ago)

the best compromise is to give her a wellcome or park n shop, watson's, or mannings gift coupon. more useful, and would be less "in your face".

Posted by itsmeinhk (20 days ago)

I think money would definitively send a wrong message.

When our helper arrived in our family, I bought all the toiletries + some new bedsheets, 2 nice pillows, bath towels and a new small fridge for her room.
I also made sure her room was clean (painting and floor).
She was very happy with this.

Posted by notyou (20 days ago)

Give her a good room, good situation and that's good enough. i agree with asiaxpat guy and itsmeinhk

Posted by beancurd (18 days ago)

I am a filipina and when I arrived HK, I do not have any idea how the Hk money looks like. And I borrowed money from a new friend neighbor for my allowance on my day off. During that time, we can take our day off immediately. Luckily, I have a new friend. I did not ask anything from my boss. I have few US dollars to start with in case of emergency and I did not touch it. And thinking very bad idea to give money or lending small money as allowance does not apply to all. I have been working in Hong Kong for 25 years but I never borrowed money and asked advance money from my boss.

However for some chinese family, they understand this lucky money and normally, they give red lai see.

From my experience, small Hk50.00 or HK$100.00 in a red envelope will be very good welcoming treat.