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Original poster

Christmas 'boxes' for postman, dustman etc

35 replies

SingingBabooshkaBadly · 19/12/2017 21:53

Does anyone still do this? When I was a child my DM and DF used to always give Christmas boxes (a monetary tip) to the milkman, postmen, dustmen etc. I've never done this. Where we used to live we never seemed to see the same postman twice so it never seemed an issue. Where we are now we have a really nice regular postman and I'm thinking perhaps we should. But what? is it still the done the thing to give money? If so what sort of amount is acceptable? As for the refuse collectors we have so many different people for paper recycling, non-recyclables, food waste, glass I wouldn't know where to start.

I'd be grateful if any of you are able to let me know who you tip and how much. I don't want to appear mean or ungrateful but slightly worried I may offend someone if this isn't really something people do nowadays.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/12/2017 21:56

IIRC most Public Sector workers are not allowed to accept monetary gifts (I work NHS and were aren't)

itusedtobeverydifferent · 19/12/2017 22:02

In my area they're not allowed to accept as it's seen as bribery - which is silly and a shame.

clearingaspaceforthecat · 19/12/2017 22:06

I normally give a Christmas box to the postie. A card and £10.

eddiemairswife · 19/12/2017 22:06

I've just left out a card and £5 for my milkman, and will give the same to my paper boy.

dudsville · 19/12/2017 22:09

We do it, £10 in a card. My question is why is it called a box? The bin men literally run past so we have to be ready!

dudsville · 19/12/2017 22:09

Ooh and the postie always poats a card back.

80sMum · 19/12/2017 22:10

In the early years of our marriage, I used to do this, simply because my parents always had and I thought everyone did. I stopped about 30 years ago.

When DS was a newspaper delivery boy in his teens, about 25 years ago, he used to receive generous Christmas tips, all of them from elderly folk.

I think the practice has largely died out now.

These days, I don't tip anyone if I can avoid it! I feel it's a very outdated thing and actually a bit demeaning to the recipient - except perhaps when the recipient is a child. I see tips as being a bit like pocket money.

Redcrayons · 19/12/2017 22:13

I'm at work when the postman and bin men come so I wouldn't know if we have regulars or not.
I've also wondered about why it's a Christmas 'box'. Isn't it always just cash?

BelfastSmile · 19/12/2017 22:16

Why is it seen as potential bribery? What are people bribing the bin men to do?!

My FIL is a postman, and he gets presents at Christmas from a few people. Usually a bottle of something or some chocolates.

I've never worked out how to do it... the bin men work at the speed of light; am I meant to catch them? But there are about 4 of them - do I give something each, or give it to one and tell him to share it out? Postman - surely he won't want more stuff to carry?

PartridgeInAPetri · 19/12/2017 22:19

I give them all a big box of chocolates and a card but we are rural and know the bin men, the post man and the coal man so just leave it out for them if we are out.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/12/2017 00:01

We always do - still have a milkman (all done online, v. convenient) so him, dustmen, postman, paper boy. Cash in a card.
Dh already caught the dustmen the other day. Paper boy and milkman have already left us cards.
I don't see it as any sort of bribery - just thanks to people who are often out in the cold and wet - milkman always in the wee small hours, too.

Original poster
SingingBabooshkaBadly · 20/12/2017 00:06

Thanks to all who responded. belfastsmile I know what you mean about the bin men. There are about four for three different collections - so about twelve I total - £10 each would be a bit much and they work st the speed of sound! I wonder do people give £10 to one bin man and they share everything.

Anyway, your responses are much appreciated. Merry Christmas! Xmas Smile

OP posts:
Imstickingwiththisone · 20/12/2017 00:07

Is the 'box' in connection to boxing Day when the servants would be given their gifts?

FoxInABox · 20/12/2017 08:04

I give a card and £10 to the postman, we’ve had the same one for years and he is brilliant.
I also give a higher tip than usual at the hairdressers and the beauty salon. If I catch the bin men then usually a tub of roses.

Littlelambpeep · 20/12/2017 08:14

I'm Grin at the postman not wanting more stuff to carry !!!! As if, they would love it

HellsBellsnBucketsofBlood · 20/12/2017 08:23

I think it was more of a thing when someone was actually home during the day and so you knew the postie or dustman. Nowadays we only see ours in passing, they seem to constantly change, and I doubt leaving anything out with money in it would stay put long enough for the postie/dustman to get it!

Bowerbird5 · 20/12/2017 11:16

I thought I might give bin men a cake to share for their bait. Didn't give postman one kept meaning to and would forget in run up to Christmas but now he is on another route and I miss him. Thought I might send it via other postie.

givemushypeasachance · 20/12/2017 11:34

When I was 13 (late 90s) I had a daily newspaper round and got quite a few Christmas tips in cards, either handed to me or stuck to the door. I only got paid £13 a week - terrible for the time it took making up the bags and going around about 40-50 houses in a spread out area every morning - but I made about £70 in Christmas tips! (I was well chuffed)

I also got a box of malteasers taped to one door and was just as chuffed with those tbh!

Iwantacampervan · 20/12/2017 12:20

I give a box of biscuits to the dustmen (same team each week) and also to the postman to take back to the sorting office. It's no different to giving teachers or other paid workers presents to say thank you for a good job.

rightsofwomen · 20/12/2017 12:26

Fiver each for my lovely postman and milkman.

Chocs for the Tesco person bringing my Xmas delivery unless they're out of Twiglets

Snausage · 20/12/2017 22:50

I sellotape a Christmas card with money to my bin for the bin men and also give a card with cash to my lovely postie.

SellFridges · 20/12/2017 22:55

I’d happily give our binmen a tenner at the moment if they actually emptied the bins. They’ve missed our recycling for 3 weeks now, and they took the bin today but somehow didn’t empty it properly so half the rubbish bags are still stuck in there.

First day of my Christmas hols will be spent emptying the recycling out of the bin and taking it to the tip. Likewise the bin. Fun!

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 20/12/2017 23:22

I've given the postie and one of regular delivery men a fiver.
I'll give a fiver to the Christmas & NY grocery delivery drivers too.
I mainly work from home so I get a lot of deliveries and I'm grateful for how easy and friendly most of the drivers are.

CatastropheKate · 20/12/2017 23:38

I've got beer, cider and biscuits for the binmen. I never see them (too early) but they leave biscuits for the dog on recycle day which is nice. Biscuits for the postman too.

Tesco delivery driver told me that they're not allowed to accept anything.

Tryingtogetitright · 20/12/2017 23:44

I gave our bin men a tub of Celebrations. They're great - DS (3) adores them. He waits for them and waves out the window on dustbin day. They always smile and wave even when the weather's awful. Will give the postman cash if I see him Christmas eve.

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