Christmas tips - how much to give and to whom?

[oxocube]

At this time of year, who do you tip/ give gifts to? My parents used to tip everyone from the milkman and pop boy to the guy who cleaned their windows! We don't have a milkman (does anyone any more?) and only really have a couple of young boys, about 12 yrs old, who deliver the free newspapers but I am unsure how much to tip them? I thought about 1 - 2 pounds each was okay. Is this okay or a bit stingy? All thoughts welcome!

Merry Christmas everyone xxx

Oxocube - we have a combined milk & paper delivery by a local shop, not exactly a paperboy as he drives a van & must be about 50+ !! He gets £5 and so does the Postman, (slightly difficult as we have three different postmen so I give it to the most cheerful one!)

Oxocube, I do sympathise, I never know who to give to and how much. The window cleaner gets £4.50 for about 10 minutes work once a month so I tend to think well, that's you paid (it's more than the piano teacher gets!) and the person who collects the milk money is a woman who owns the company so I don't tip her either. (But I don't know who actually delivers the milk and it is VERY early.)

We don't have a paper delivered either.

On the other hand, my son (14) does a daily paper round and has been thrilled to be given loads of fivers and even, occasionally, tenners from his "clients", but then he gets up daily at about 6.30, whatever the weather, is v careful with the papers, and on Saturdays has 4 or 5 drops and has to knock up some people because they have 2 or 3 papers which won't go through the letterbox. He also often chats to the people he delivers to, will take the paper and milk inside for old people, and gets on well with all the dogs, so I think he deserves a bit extra.

(We have even had a couple of cards + cash put through our letterbox because they have missed seeing him, so they must have asked the papershop where he lives.)

Does this help at all, oxocube? I think what it comes down to is how much extra effort people put in...

Our Milkman got 6 beers and the Post Lady got some shower goodies. Missed the binman and anyway there are about 8 of them. Forgot about the paperboy, will get hold of him or her (comes early sunday morning). I do like to be generous to the people who provide our services at Christmas, my Mum always was. DH comes from London and they never tipped anyone. As I pointed out, in times of trouble these people will remember our kindness.
Happy Christmas!x

Hmm, I haven't tipped anyone - never even thought about it actually... I am always chirpy when I say good morning to the postman so hopefully that is enough, anyway - I don't get a tip so why should he? (Permission granted to call me Scrooge if you like!)

Because it's lighter and maybe less of a giveaway than loose change, we always leave a fiver in a card for postie Mick and milkman Darren. They are both reliable and helpful guys, essential for householders who are away from the home during the day.

oxocube - I used to do one of those free paper rounds for years and never received 1 tip!

They will both be very impressed with anything (they get paid a pittance as the minimum wage doesn't apply to under 16s. Or possibly under 18s). I'd probably go for the £2 mark though (knowing it's probably the only tip they'll get).

Tip the postie a fiver - but frankly wouldn't tip anyone for unsolicited papers/mail etc - we get so much through I'd need a second mortgage.

I gave the binmen a tenner! I do appreciate them waving to DS (16 months) every week, he gets so excited when he hears the lorry that he runs to the window. The main two always stop and give him a wave, which I think is really nice of them.

The postie I didn't give anything as he is a friends (more person that I know) husband, so I didn't want to embarass either of us by giving
a) Too much or b) Not enough!