At Christmas time - how much do you tip your mail carrier and newspaper delivery person?

Question

We have good service from both, and just wanted to know what would be appropriate. Thanks

Answer 1

As a letter carrier, I have to say, it is wonderful to know that my customers appreciate the service that I provide 6 days a week. We often find ourselves in the position of neighborhood look-out and the one and only friendly face to an elderly individual on a daily basis. I don't expect to receive money or anything from my customers but it is greatly appreciated and it is NOT illegal for them to give me a gift!! Who doesn't like to be acknowledged for doing a good job? The P.O. certainly doesn't make much of an effort to thank us! I suggest giving whatever your wallet allows and what you feel their services are worth to you. Peace and light.

Answer 2

I do NOT give it as a tip. I have on occasion, when we've had great service, or I had extra money, or was just in the mood, given Christmas money to the trash collectors, our mail carrier and the paperboy.I gave it because I wanted to give it. Our mail carrier told me not many did that, and that she was happy with that bonus every year. She had probably a thousand people on her route, if everyone gave $10, that would be crazy, Right? Same with trash and newspaper guy (not kids anymore). I stopped with the newpaper service because they were so lousy, and finally stopped the paper as well. As far as the trash guys, I had big property, and when we had clean up done, there was extra for them. I always made a point of going out and tipping them for extra work. Christmas is a gift, not something earned, however.

Answer 3

It's wonderful that you realize these people do not make a LOT of money throughout the year and a Christmas bonus might be very helpful to them at this time of year.......

There is no set tip to give these people just sit down and figure how much their services are worth to you put the cash in a card with a personal note about how much you appriciate them...if it were me I would give each $80-$100 but I also do not make that much myself....

Answer 4

I give mine a card with a HANDWRITTEN note of appreciation and good wishes, along with a small Christmas gift bag of candy. Not much but they do appreciate knowing you think of them. I do the same for the guys on the garbage truck.
Example of note : "A small gift, but a BIG wish to you for a very Happy Holiday Season".
Note: Mail carriers, by law, can not accept a monetary gift.
EDITED 12/21 - I re-word the above NOTE....It is against the USPS Code of Ethics for postal employees to accept gifts of over $20 in value
If there was any confusion, I did NOT say it was illegal to give them a GIFT.
Oh, reminds me... I better be sure to get that gift bag in the mailbox tomorrow!

Answer 5

It is illegal to give a mail carrier any gift valued over $20.00 you could be arrested however anything valued under $20.00 is OK, the newspaper delivery person, whatever you think they deserve, they don't make much money so let you concious be your guide.

Answer 6

give them a card ..... collecting money on a holiday is not there job....they have a job and make money and its to give you quality service all year round not just one day a year...so why not praise them everyday during the year instead of just once a year?

Answer 7

I do not encourage you to do this dollar recognition thing,.
Value their service by being cordial and appreciative throughout the year.

Answer 8

depends...give him 10-20 dollars......what do you think it was like waking up early and driving a car all day..personally i would give him/her $25-$30...give him/her whatever you think his/her service was like....GOOD LUCK..MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Answer 9

I do not give money... My mailman gets candy every year !