Community Chat

[kivah]

I've always given my mailman (of 14-1/2 years) and gardener (6 years) generous gifts for Christmas. This year, I thought I'd give cash. I'm sure they would prefer the cash --- but are gifts more memorable?

[151949]

Mailmen are not allowed to accept cash at Christmas, We always give ours a BP gift card - we figure everyone has to buy gas.

[Boehm Collector]

That's correct... mailmen are not supposed to accept cash.  However, during the past 29 - 30 years I have never had a single mailman refuse it.  

[ladyroxanne]

everyone can always use some extra cash and i'm sure it would be extremely appreciated.  very nice of you to think of them.

[Burnsite]

I give the letter carrier $20 and a Christmas card.  Every time I post that I am attacked on here, but that is what is customary in my neighborhood and that is what I do.  It was also customary where I used to live in Manhattan.

[GingerPeach]

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@Burnsite wrote:

I give the letter carrier $20 and a Christmas card.  Every time I post that I am attacked, but that is customary in my neighborhood and that is what I do.

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I did that last year for our letter carrier.  I probably should have done it more often.  She was very good and very nice.  She has now switched routes (no connection to not getting tips!)

[Meowingkitty]

I doubt anyone in our neighborhood tips the mailman. The boxes are arranged in groups at the end of the street, so unless the mailman has a reason to come to directly to my door I never see him or her. I have lived here for 30 years and have no clue who my mailman is.

[VanSleepy]

I have no clue who my mail person is either.  And for as many times as I have gone to the PO with mail I have received for "Mr. Lee" who could not have possibly EVER lived at this address, and the mail I am hand delivering to my neighbors' homes, I'll reserve my gift giving for someone who does their job well.

[redhead65]

We all have had a year every year since birth to prepare for Christmas if it has meaning to you. No excuses.  Think, plan, organize, prepare and get it done properly and before the week arrives.

I believe cash is a poor choice as it indicates lack of planning, doing and little desire to please the giftee. Anyone can get so many ideas from TV, retail, magazines, social media, talking with others, etc.

It really comes down to how much is celebrating Christmas to you and the kind of person you are. Lazy, sick, unorganized...?

There are always exceptions such as illness, age, or conditions that must apply to you that prohibit you from doing tradition gifting.

Love, kindness, respect, and remembrance are the best gifts.

[Shorty2U]

Since you buy the mailman something I would give a gift because mail workers are not allowed to take cash. The gardner either a gift or money, which ever you prefer.

PS) The only people we gift @ Christmas time besides family are; The paper delivery person when they ring to drop off the yearly calander, and our hair stylist gets an extra tip at Christmas. (We tip both of those year round also). Oh and my husband treats his dept employees to a Christmas luncheon, and we donate gifts to the Childrens hospital, and make donations to the food bank. We no longer buy friends gifts, our friends and ourselves stopped long ago. Its too much.