Christmas 'boxes' for postman, dustman etc

[SingingBabooshkaBadly]

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.

I've always given £10 to postman and £20 between the refuse collectors. My very wealthy ex MIL used to give her poor postman a box of handmade Mince pies. Hence Christmas 'box' I think, sure the poor bloke would have preferred a few quid than traipsing around all shift with mince pies

I always give the postie a fiver in a card. Back in the 70s the milkman, insurance man etc, would literally come in for a whisky with the family. Ahhhh the days before seatbelts and drink driving was "ok". It was bonkers, they probably were pissed as farts.

Our Postman is marvellous and we always give him £5 in a card. They share it out among the team on our route. We're very rural and if I'm not downstairs he just pushes the door open and leaves the packages just inside the door - that's normal for here. I even shouted down to him once from upstairs that no, I couldn't sign for something as I had no clothes on. I was a bit embarrassed when I thought about it afterwards! We give the bin men £10 as there are more of them - they share it out too I think.

My regular postman is very good (sometimes waits for me to come back from the school run so I don’t miss a parcel!)

I just gave him a box of celebrations and said Merry Christmas when he delivered something the other week.

I’d be more embarrassed about approaching the binmen - but what can you do, leave it on the bin?

I give a card with money to the postman (regular and he looks after us all).

I left a card and box of biscuits for the cleaners on the table this morning for them to take away. And DD dropped biscuits to the staff room in school yesterday.

There is a class gift for the teacher (voucher) and DD will write a card. I'm sending a small gift to the SNA as, even though she officially supports another DC in the class, she keeps a good eye on DD as well (not severe enough ASD for support but it helps avoid things escalating).

And I have my hairdresser a card with a tip and a jar of hm mincemeat as I know he loves that. (I've had him for years and he comes to the house).

But we never see the binmen (5am here!), or the once a week newspaper delivery. So they don't get anything.

I didn’t know it was called a Christmas box but yes we do. We have a regular postman who is lovely so may tip him £20 this year and will try and catch the bin men to give them something - cash to put in the kitty to share. The cleaner gets double time and a bottle and the Babysitter gets an extra £20 plus a bottle.

My parents always did this so I carry it on. Also give my food shopping delivery person a good tip too. It really doesn’t end up costing us that much but to the people we tip their tips could all add up to be something decent and I’m sure they appreciate it.

For the postman and milkman yes we do, but I'm at home all day so regularly see the postman and the milkman I just leave a card with the empties.

I have an army of bin men who collect the rubbish, it would cost me a fortune!

We do t have a milkman or a paper boy. I don’t give anything to the others because it’s never really occurred to me.

I never have but my mum rushed out to catch the postie on sat morning to give him a card and money. I think its mad but I have never been given a tip in any job I have had and they prob all earn more than me too.