It’s that wondrous time of year filled with family, friends, beautiful lights, spectacular decorations, dozens of gatherings and well wishes that make your heart full. But remember to also make time for yourself, and for date night. Meet Clique Sitter, Alexandria's newest babysitters club, that is dedicated to providing a relationship-centric approach to finding childcare. More than just a platform for booking babysitters, this new service, founded by Mark Shiffer and Reid Varner, aims to create a vibrant community where parents, caregivers, and local businesses can come together, building connections and trust.

I was first introduced to Clique Sitter at the Alexandria Fall Festival, just days after their official launch. Since then they have been building their roster, spreading the word, and making it easier for families to find reliable caregivers for needs ranging from date night to everyday childcare. Their vision extends beyond being merely a babysitter finding app. Their unique value is becoming a hub where members can discover the sitters who their friends and neighbors trust and recommend, building a strong sense of community in the process. 

The platform is free to use for booking, with payment coordinated directly between you and the babysitter you choose. Currently, the app is focused on serving the Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Arlington areas. The nature of the app extends beyond just booking, and is looking to foster collaborations between local businesses and families within our communities. 

Clique Sitter is running a special promotion this month with the opportunity for new users to win a night out; the drawing is open until December 5. The lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Ichiban Izakaya in Alexandria. Check it out and let’s grow our clique!

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