Christmas Boxes - postmen?

[hefzi]

Hoping someone can give some advice - this is the first year in five years we've had the same two postmen all year: how much is it appropriate to tip them?

(They are always very pleasant, and I did all my Christmas shopping online, if that makes any difference!)

[Frostyleapingholly]

I was thinking a box of chocolates is that rubbish!

[Floralnomad]

We put £10 in a card for our lovely postman , he's really helpful .

[motheroftwoboys]

Didn't realise people still did this. We used to tip the postman, milkman and binmen but it just doesn't seem to happen anymore. We don't get milk delivered, never in when the binmen come and wouldn't know our postman from Adam.

[Floralnomad]

I don't bother with the bin men , there are 3 different lots and they are not remotely helpful !

[CakeNinja]

Our postie gets a tenner in a card. He's always always so cheerful and sometimes lets ds post our letters if we are coming home at the same time :)

[miniHovis]

As a postie can I just say that no matter what you give be it just a card or a small box of chocolates that it is very much appreciated and makes us smile for the rest of the day

[neddle]

As the wife of a postman (and a former postwoman myself), I would say:
Money is lovely - dh buys me presents with it.
chocolate is brilliant - we have 5 kids and it always goes down well.
wine - neither of us drink so normally gets regifted
homemade cake/biscuits - awesome and you'd definitely get looked after next year.

Postmen tend to work in pairs now on a five day week, so you ought to see the same two all the time with an extra one once or twice a week.

[chocomochi]

I was wondering the same thing. Where do you leave the cards/gifts as I'm not always around when the postman calls.

[Jemimapuddleduk]

I tend to do £10 in a card for our 2 posties. We have loads of parcels delivered and they sign for us and all sorts. Total stars.

[Perfectlypurple]

The last couple of years I have given my postie home made stuff. He was so pleased. Struggling to find the time to do anything this year. May have to be money.

[Paperblank]

I wouldn't know my postman if he bit me on the bum - we don't get much post and I tend to get all our orders delivered to work.

And since we have to drag our bin 100 yards away from the house so they will empty it and drag it back again the binmen aren't gonna get a tip!!

[FuckyNell]

I gave him a tenner and he was well chuffed 😃

[hefzi]

Brilliant - thanks! And very helpful to have the inside track from minihovis and neddle also :-) I'm from a small village where my parents still live - they've had two different postmen in 47 years, which is a bit different to life in this city! I used to work at a different house in the village, and they'd bring parcels down there - they also leave things on the step and are generally helpful so that people don't have to drive the fifteen miles to the DO.

But my guys are lovely - so friendly, so polite, always really helpful: they really deserve something for Christmas, as they bend over backwards to sort things out for people on our street regarding parcels and signing etc (and I'm sure for the rest of their round too - interesting to hear how it's split now: thanks for that) - I think I will go for money, though, just so that they can spend it as they want, whether that's on food, wine or pressies for someone else! I'm going through a bad patch at the moment of trying to press wine onto non-drinkers, so I don't want to take the risk

I have never seen our bin men, but I do feel for them: we don't even have wheelie bins - they have to open the gates to the ginnel between the terraces, and take the bags out from there. I have lovely neighbours behind, who leave large items (like fridges and double mattresses) blocking the way every damn week, and other even lovelier neighbours who prefer not to use the facilities in their homes when they can just make free with the ginnel . And on top of that, there's the charmers who don't believe in using bin bags (or any bags) for nappies and sanitary towels Those guys deserve medals (and innoculations!) - I'm planning to lurk about next week when I'm off and see if I can ambush them!

Thanks everyone for all your input - I am never too sure anymore what the appropriate thing to do is...

[Saz12]

My post-lady is scary and mean, so will continue the relationship and give her nowt.
The binmen are lovely and will give them a tub of chocs (I know - is inexpensive gift but am not that well off and is the thought that counts...right?).