Do You Give Christmas Tip to Garbageman, Postman, Newspaper Guy and If So How?

Updated on December 21, 2011
S.H. asks from Kansas City, MO
15 answers

I feel bad. I never tip my postman or garbageman. Does everyone do this? Okay, I can see how I tip the postman I can just put it in the mailbox. The garbageman how do you tip? Attach something to lid of trash container and hope they see it? Newspaper guy I don't see how unless I stand outside when they arrive but I'm not going to get out in the cold that early in the morning! I actually hardly see these guys since I'm not at home too much. Is it really necessary to tip them? I know it's always nice to receive a gift. I guess I always left these people out. Now teachers I definately give a nice gift card.

I got this question off of so many other questions/responses on this topic and trying to now see "how to give the Christmas gift" and how many of you do this.

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So What Happened?

I don't think I'll give xmas tip this year as I don't even know if it's the same guy that comes. Is that bad? I just never pay attention if I just so happen to be home. Maybe next year I'll pay more attention and then give a xmas tip/gift. I do other nice things during this time of year and will definately think about adding them to my list next year!

Featured Answers

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

No, I find it totally unnecessary to tip these people. They do a job they get paid to do. I think it's really presumptuous of the newspaper delivery person to include a card with his name and address. My husband will give his hairdresser a little extra if he gets his hair cut right before Christmas, otherwise we only give gifts to family and the kids' teachers.

5 moms found this helpful

More Answers

R.H.

answers from Houston on

Teachers only--but please remember the enrichment teachers who work with your child in the day and after school--dance teachers, coaches, speech.... Otherwise, this tipping stuff gets out of hand.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

No I do not tip. I give money to my cleaning lady. Other than that, I don't tip anyone else.

2 moms found this helpful

G.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Never. I have never thought to give a tip (ie: money) to either of them. I got to know my former postman really well and I did put a Christmas Card in the mailbox for him. He really liked that. :-)

I don't think anyone expects it. If you can afford it, it will be a really nice gesture on your part. :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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E.R.

answers from Detroit on

I dont get the paper, garbage man, its always different people so I don't, mail mail, I always give a gift, this year a mug and tea. If I got the paper I would do the same. I think a little token of thanks is always nice....they can always regift if they dont like it!

1 mom found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I'm not good every year but on occasion I bake goodies and give them all a a paper plate with ribbons. One year I listened for the garbage truck and ran out with hot chocolate to thank them.......but that was only one year about 10 years ago.

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Postman/garbage collection I just catch them when they are there and I am out. I hold up a cold drink and whistle if I need to get their attention. They smile and nod and I run it out to them. Any time of year.

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

I don't tip the postman because I pay for his amazing health care and retirement. I do give my mail guy $20. I've had the same guy for 4 years now, and he does a fairly good job.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I gave my girl that delivered my newspaper a gift card one year. I never found my newspaper in the tree or in the neighbor's yard etc... so I thought she needed something special for her hard work. She had sent a little piece of paper at the beginning of the year and said that if there was anything she needed to do then we needed to tell her. I feel that people need to feel appreciated for a job well done so I taped her a Christmas card with a gift card to the mail box and then called her and told her to pick it up in the morning.

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L.N.

answers from New York on

we leave 50 dollars in a envelope taped to the garbage can for the garbage guy. he appreciates it so much. i always tipped my mail guy though he is not nice, won't deliver mail if anything is close to the mailbox. so this year i am skipping him. my husband gives a tip for the newspaper guy and that's about it.

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S.P.

answers from New York on

Our cans are in the back of the house, so I tape the card/cash on the lid in a ziploc. There have a been a few years recently where they got tipped late because we had snow and they couldn't get back there, and I won't do it if we have to pull the cans to the front.

But we had the same people for years, and they were always very nice. They would wait for the extra bag, move the truck if necessary, smile and wave. This is the first place I've tipped.

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J.N.

answers from Kansas City on

I leave stuff in the mail box for the post woman. She takes really good care of our deliveries unlike the FedEx guy who leaves stuff where is can be destroyed. One year I put a Blue Dog of Happiness in the mail box for her. I understand they pass it around the mail room to cheer up people that work in the post office.

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

We don't do the garbage man, because people steal the envelopes, happened to my neighbor, but especially this year since we have new service, the guy doesn't even get out of the truck, there is a arm that lifts and dumps it, so not doing that.

The newspaper lady put her address on a card in the paper last week. This has been done for the last 3 years by different carriers.

The postman is not supposed to accept any tips, but I think they do.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

My DH has slipped a $20 to the garbage man especially when he chases him in the car because we got our out late. My DH will comb the neighborhood until he finds him...Generally helping him and giving him a tip..so will not be doing any extra for postman or garbage guy....they make more money then I do believe me.

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N.R.

answers from St. Louis on

I have never given tips to the postman or garbageman. Not necessary.

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