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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask who you tip at Christmas and how much?

208 replies

ChocolateCinderToffee · 17/12/2023 17:52

Inspired by another thread.

Postie?
Hairdresser?
Cleaner?
Window cleaner?
Gardener?

Anyone else? Do you tip people who are in any way friends even if you pay them for a service? Do you give gifts rather than money?

OP posts:
Blanketpolicy · 17/12/2023 19:02

Waiters/barstaff - they are mostly students, get paid a pittance and dont get much holidays this peak time of year and missing out on partying.

Professionals and self employed no. They get salaries, or set their own prices.

Cadenza12 · 17/12/2023 19:02

Refuse collectors 20
Window cleaner 20
Postie wine
Supermarket delivery 10

Ginandjuice57884 · 17/12/2023 19:00

Our postie is getting one this year because he's earned it. He's delivered parcels from companies that he isn't responsible for that have been misdelivered to other houses up our road which otherwise we would have known nothing about because said delivery companies are so useless that they don't know where they delivered them. He always goes above and beyond and is just a really nice guy.

maras2 · 17/12/2023 19:00

Tesco delivery person £10 on Christmas Eve and New Year.

Maireas · 17/12/2023 18:59

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:55

I already pay well. Bonus really is a bonus and it’s increased in line with our profits. Profit share for those that create it if you will.

I know what you mean, but a windfall is also useful. If I had the worst year, I don’t want to be bankrupt, that helps no one.

Edited

Right, so it's a bonus rather than a tip, isn't it?
It's all strange to me, being public sector.
I personally don't like the culture of tipping because I do think it means that some employers keep wages low.

VickyEadieofThigh · 17/12/2023 18:59

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:41

Do none of you not get a bonus at work?

I’m shocked. I give my cleaner a big tip - months money, and time off.

I also do the same for our gardener, but pay summer rate, not Winter.

I then give my team a bonus of the same, including time off.

Without these people I couldn’t function.

As I was a teacher - no.

What's your point?

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 17/12/2023 18:57

I used to tip the bin men and post man but we no longer have regular ones and the device reflects that.

I tip the cleaner - in the sense of I pay her for the week she’s off and a box of chocolates.

I always tip the hairdresser £5 each time plus I take her a latte in so about £70 a year.
Same with the beautician.

I give the window cleanser double money plus a box of chocolates in December.

F1ymetothetoon · 17/12/2023 18:57

Out of the list I only have a postie and not necessarily the same one day to day so nope I don't feel need to tip someone for merely doing the job they're paid to do.

Wednesday6 · 17/12/2023 18:56

I don't tip but I get a little present for my cleaner

Bax765 · 17/12/2023 18:56

I don't think I tip anyone except in restaurants, but we do give our cleaner a Christmas gift.

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:56

Liverpool52 · 17/12/2023 18:49

Public sector workers generally don't no.

Ah yes, good point.

Crazycrazylady · 17/12/2023 18:55

Hairdresser . Fiver every time I go. Fairly often as totally grey
Postie. Bottle of booze
School
Bus driver. Candle etc
Teachers and snas . Gift of some sort

That's it from me

I just see it as a way of expressing my appreciation for the work they do all year. Often all these people go above and beyond .

Nearly everyone around me does the same though so it's never even occurred to be not to

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:55

Maireas · 17/12/2023 18:50

Perhaps increase everyone's wages for next year so that they get more per month, rather than tip?

I already pay well. Bonus really is a bonus and it’s increased in line with our profits. Profit share for those that create it if you will.

I know what you mean, but a windfall is also useful. If I had the worst year, I don’t want to be bankrupt, that helps no one.

ohtowinthelottery · 17/12/2023 18:51

None of them.
We only get post about twice a week. We wheel the bins to the pavement so the binmen move them about 5 meters and then don't always put them back outside our house (I was brought up in the days when the binmen went to the back of your house, hoiked a full bin onto their shoulders, carried around to the front, up the drive and to the lorry on the road to empty it then returned the bin to the back of the house - that was worthy of a tip!) My hairdresser gets a tip when she does my hair throughout the year so nothing extra at Christmas. Window cleaner comes when he feels like it and I don't always see him - paid by bank tf. I don't have a cleaner or gardener.

Maireas · 17/12/2023 18:50

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:45

I suppose I am, and I can’t stay that way if my business fails, or if I’m too stressed. I want good people to stay. I don’t exploit people and try and share the joy.

Perhaps increase everyone's wages for next year so that they get more per month, rather than tip?

Liverpool52 · 17/12/2023 18:49

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:41

Do none of you not get a bonus at work?

I’m shocked. I give my cleaner a big tip - months money, and time off.

I also do the same for our gardener, but pay summer rate, not Winter.

I then give my team a bonus of the same, including time off.

Without these people I couldn’t function.

Public sector workers generally don't no.

switswoo81 · 17/12/2023 18:49

Big tin of roses for postman and binman.
Same for receptionists in the clinc my daughter attends.
Again the same for the volunteer coaches of camogie team.

It would be great to give cash but I find I can spread the appreciation more with tins of chocolates.

CarrieMoonbeams · 17/12/2023 18:45

Bin men - £20 (taped in an envelope inside a freezer bag on top of the bin!)
Postie - £20
Local garage/mechanic - beers and a box of biscuits
Doctors' receptionists - box of biscuits
Vet staff - a tray of cupcakes (not homemade, I don't want to kill them!)
Hairdresser - always £10, whether I'm there at Christmas or not.

All of the above are absolutely fantastic, they really go above and beyond.

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:45

wp65 · 17/12/2023 18:43

You sound very wealthy.

I suppose I am, and I can’t stay that way if my business fails, or if I’m too stressed. I want good people to stay. I don’t exploit people and try and share the joy.

bananaboats · 17/12/2023 18:43

I don't tip anyone but don't have a cleaner or a gardener!

wp65 · 17/12/2023 18:43

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:41

Do none of you not get a bonus at work?

I’m shocked. I give my cleaner a big tip - months money, and time off.

I also do the same for our gardener, but pay summer rate, not Winter.

I then give my team a bonus of the same, including time off.

Without these people I couldn’t function.

You sound very wealthy.

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 18:41

Do none of you not get a bonus at work?

I’m shocked. I give my cleaner a big tip - months money, and time off.

I also do the same for our gardener, but pay summer rate, not Winter.

I then give my team a bonus of the same, including time off.

Without these people I couldn’t function.

1AnotherOne · 17/12/2023 18:39

Used to tip our DPD guy as he was fantastic but he’s not been to us this year and the others have been a mix of people so won’t bother.

i gift the dog groomers (2 women team) Costa coffee vouchers and some sweets/chocolate, nice hand cream.

TravellingCross · 17/12/2023 18:38

We give our cleaner £100. We use a regular handyman so if he’s around near Xmas, he gets a bottle of whiskey.

Squirrelblanket · 17/12/2023 18:38

Same as I do the rest of the year - nobody.