what's this about getting presents for the lollipop person, postman, dustbin person, doctors surgery etc etc??

[nappyaddict]

i think it's spending gone mad!!

I do Christmas tip the postman (£5 in card) and put a crate of lager out with a card for the bin men. I didn't htink it was weird

i just think they are doing a job the same as everyone else. i don't get christmas presents just for doing my job!

I tip the postie, the paper boy, the milkman and leave beer out for the dustbin men.

These sort of things just grease the wheels of society imho.

If someone is doing a good service for you and you are happy with it then why not show that you apperciate them. There's no harm in that. Esp if the people concerned are on low wages. My mum always gave us a present to give to the lollipop lady on the last day fo school and thats going back quite a few years and she tipped the binmen and teh postman. If anythign I'd say the tradition is dying off rather than more people doing it.

I don't either, but then I don't dispose of other peoples used tampons/condoms/food waste for a living.

that was in response to NA saying she does not get tips for doing her job

i think if i were a postman (well woman obviously) i wouldn't want to lug around a load of presents in addition to all the extra letters, cards and parcels at xmas time.

Our dustbin ben have gone out of their way on more than one occasion; knocking to remind me if our binbags aren't out and often picking up all the mess if a bag has been attacked by a fox...yuk!!!!

They will get a tip.

I tip the postman because a) he's a nice chap, b) takes the extra effor to make sure we get our parcels and c) remembers DS's name. I hardly ever see the binmen but if I saw a street cleaner regularly (ha!) I'd tip them cos they get tiny wages for a pretty nasty job.

wouldn't dream of it - can't really afford presents for DS so the postman has NO chance!

I don't.

My limits will be, ds's nusery teachers x 3 and perhaps dd's teacher, but I haven't met her (dh has), so will leave it up to dd if she wants to get her something.

I will go to Lidl and get them boxes of shortbread.

Wouldn't tip postman but am liking the idea of a crate of beer for the bin men.

Won't be tipping the window cleaner because he's a cheeky twunt who knocks on my door and asks me to make teas/coffees/cold drinks for him and his 7 (yes 7!) co workers) every month!.

Will buy small gift for ds nursery workers and the manager as they have been very good to us this year when i was ill.

I don't do Christmas tips generally. I don't get gifts for doing my job (secondary teacher) but I still do it to the best of my ability all year round and our bin ben are pretty useless. BUT I think we will wrap a box of chocs from dd2 for the lovely lollipop man, who always has a smile for her. She will also give her teacher a box of chocs and perhaps a Christmas tree decoration.

We always give postman a bottle of wine at Christmas, mostly because our dog's favourite time of day is when postman comes and he barks like a big vicious dog from when post van is 1/2 mile away.....when they get to meet (dog & postman) they adore each other! also feel bit guilty about dog hair postman collects on his coat when he does make a fuss of said dog.

Also, nice postman signs for recorded delivery things for us and puts it through door if we are out - I like that in a postman.

how do you get posties to sign rd for you please?

give him a bottle of wine each christmas

really...umm...dunno..he just started doing it.... 'tis very helpful though.

Easy, don't give anything to anyone! [grn]

I gave some biscuits to the girls that clip and groom my dog ...she shat all over them so they deserved it

Think I'll tip the postman as he's a godsend and signs for my parcels.

Lollipop woman-nah too awkward stopping in the middle of the road to give her gift.Everyone will think I am creep.

Dustin men-nah,I am asleep when they come,never seen them.

Not sure if it is the done thing here in Hungary - must find out (you would think that I would know as it is our 3rd year here!!).

We do a collection from all the class parents (those that want to conribute) and buy joint presents for DS's teacher and TA.

Have noticed other people also buy for PE teacher etc. Haven't done that - not sure about it.

Will buy a box of chocolates for the security guys at school.

Even in leafy north Oxford any crate of beer would be half-inched by the time the dustmen came.

i only leave crate of beer for the dustbin men as i think they do a great job where i live,

but dont for otherrs mentioned as i have never really thought abourt it,

maybe i will tip the paper person as i bet they get rubbish money

Our lollypop man gets piles and piles of pressies. He always has to enlist the help of a couple of mums to get them inside after his shift. He is a lovely chap though and he is also our school caretaker.

I'm thinking about the postie now after reading this thread. They've had a particularly crap year and our postie knows everyone by name round here. He often leaves parcels with people who he knows are friends of mine. He & his family could probably do with a boost.