Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Just wanted to say that if you thinking of giving your letter carrier/service-worker-of-any-kind a gift please know that it will be greatly appreciated. My dh came home this evening after being out in the rain all day delivering many cards and parcels. He is sick and very exhausted. He asked me to make him a cup of hot tea and I also served him a thick slice of banana bread he received as a gift yesterday. He was so delighted with the bread - just what a tired ol' mailman needed at the end of a long, cold day. Just thought you'd want to know.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Really? Do you think most people would eat a foodie gift? I've heard so many people say they wouldn't touch a gift of food, but then others welcome it. I just never know. We do give our mail lady a gift card every year. This year she's getting a Starbucks card. I'll have to think about the food thing too... I'm glad your DH is feeling appreciated :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyWImom Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 We gave our UPS driver one of our photo cards (and not everybody gets one of those!) and some money. He's like one of the family!!:D We also gave our Schwan man a card and money, and in the past, we have given the paper delivery person a card and money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Shoot. I didn't know I was allowed to give my mail carrier a food gift. He's our hero. Though, it's been in the 20s here this week, and he's still wearing shorts. I'd love to give the man some pants. ;) What gifts are appropriate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 nt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Homemade Mint Chocolate Cookies are being packaged up right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) Yes, I plan on giving him $50. He's fabulous -- he hand-delivers all of my packages. Yes, I know it's against the law, but good grief. Edited December 20, 2008 by nestof3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Shoot. I didn't know I was allowed to give my mail carrier a food gift. He's our hero. Though, it's been in the 20s here this week, and he's still wearing shorts. I'd love to give the man some pants. ;) What gifts are appropriate? Fast food gift cards are great as these guys are always on a tight schedule. Starbucks gift cards are a nice idea. Any gift card really. We eat all the chocolate, candy, cookies and other food gifts - people are so kind and thoughtful. The folks often come to the truck and hand deliver it apologizing that it isn't wrapped. :) Money is always appreciated, of course, and is winked at by the supervisors - nothing bad has ever happened when my dh has accepted money. It really is the thought that counts. My dh is always very touched that people take the time to remember him no matter what they give him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Yes, I plan on giving him $50. He's fabulous -- he hand-delivers all of my packages. Yes, I know it's against the law, but good grief. Ours too, and she's always SO nice to the kids--makes a big deal out of them, is always happy to see them and talk to them, gives them the mail to take to me and makes sure she splits it evenly, etc. I'd love to give her cash, but I'd be afraid she wouldn't accept it, or would feel put in a bad spot. Actually, now that I think about it, I think she may have returned a cash gift that we gave her a long time ago! I think that's how the gift cards got started. That rule is such a bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I've been considering getting something for the garbage guys. I have never seen them because they come super early but they are always great about taking everything away- especially considering all our renovation junk that we've stuck out there. I figure, if they were grumbling about taking away a few extra things, this would be a nice way to thank them.- and make sure they keep taking it away next year.;) I was leaning towards either Starbucks gift cards for $10 each or maybe a couple of boxes of chocolates. Anybody else ever leave things for their garbage men?:bigear: I have never seen my mail delivery person. Our mail gets delivered to postal boxes waaaaaay down the street. I wouldn't even know where or how to leave something for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 I've been considering getting something for the garbage guys. I have never seen them because they come super early but they are always great about taking everything away- especially considering all our renovation junk that we've stuck out there. I figure, if they were grumbling about taking away a few extra things, this would be a nice way to thank them.- and make sure they keep taking it away next year.;) I was leaning towards either Starbucks gift cards for $10 each or maybe a couple of boxes of chocolates. Anybody else ever leave things for their garbage men?:bigear: I have never seen my mail delivery person. Our mail gets delivered to postal boxes waaaaaay down the street. I wouldn't even know where or how to leave something for them. My mail gets delivered to cluster boxes about 1/2 mile from my house. I just put the gift in my mailbox and my carrier takes it out when she delivers our mail. I gave her a stationery set last year with some notepaper, a shopping list pad and a matching pen. This year I think it will be cookies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindyinTexas Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I have to say I think our mail lady is awesome. She picks up sometimes 10 or more boxes from me a day. We live in South Texas and I know it is extremely hot for her in the summer. I gave my mail lady a loaf of Velveeta Cheese and a gift card to Walmart. The cheese was for a laugh because we ran into each other in the store, and she put it back because it had went up $2.00. :D The gift card was because I wanted her to know she was really appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Actually, now that I think about it, I think she may have returned a cash gift that we gave her a long time ago! Yes, I mentioned this to my mail carrier, told him I had no problems giving him cash and that if it was a problem with him due to the legality thing, I wouldn't. He said it was fine. I didn't want to be a stumbling block or anything, but I really don't think my cash gift is gong to tempt him into doing anything unethical. LOL He goes above and beyond. He even searched the post office for a present two days before Christmas that had come from Amazon and seemed to be stuck at our post office. He called me saying he could bring it back by that evening if I wanted, if not he would deliver it the next day. How cool is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I usually give our carrier homemade candy. I asked her several years ago if she was allowed to accept things like that and she replied with an enthusiastic "YES!", so I took that to mean that she'd appreciate it! We also take her popsicles or juice bars in the summer when we can catch her going by. Chelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Our regular mail carrier got chocolate dipped pretzels today. We usually get a thank you note from him a few days later. The first time we gave him a gift, it took us a while to figure out who the George was that had left us a thank you note! Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I gave ours a gift card to Duncan Donuts. My brother is a letter carrier, but he isn't officially on 'full time', yet he has worked full time for a couple of years now. Last year I asked if he was getting a bunch of gifts, and he said that he hadn't got any since he filled in for other people's routes. So now I don't feel so bad is a 'sub' gets the gift I leave in our box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Yes. Every year we do a gift card or a plate of cookies or something like that. We love our mail carrier! He's friendly and always says hi to our kids. One year, my ds left him a note that said, "What's your favorite animal?" David, our mail carrier, wrote his answer and drew a picture, too, and put it back in our mailbox. LOL There is a special needs kids (I think he has Tourettes) and this kid follows him around, usually *yelling* everything instead of using a regular volume, hehe, and David let's him tag along and never brushes him off. IF you get a good mail carrier, and even a mediocre one, I think they deserve a little something special at the holidays. Don't we all? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I think I'm going to give our carrier a Starbucks card now that I've read this thread. I guess I'll have to watch for her, though, because once in a while someone else does her route. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinMominTX Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I think maybe I will get my mail carrier some glasses. We get mail delivered in a cluster of mailboxes at the end of our street. At least weekly (and usually daily) I get mail for my neighbors in my box - and likewise my neighbors do as well. It is like musical mail around here on at least a weekly basis. I suspect that our rural route carrier has an enormous route and tries to get done as quickly as possible. He is not particularly detail oriented. I admit I am somewhat jealous of all the great mail carrier stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imeverywoman Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I think maybe I will get my mail carrier some glasses. After all the warm and fuzzy threads, you just made me laugh out loud so hard. I'm STILL smiling. :lol: Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 If I had a carrier who did an outstanding job, I would bless him/her with a little something, though it wouldn't be homemade food. I don't want to eat food from unfamiliar kitchens, so I think in those terms. As it is, I do not have an outstanding carrier. At all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Nothing for the mail carrier, but I will be giving the UPS delivery man some peppermint bark. He's such a great guy, and his route includes dp's work, and lots of times will bring dp his packages at work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I think maybe I will get my mail carrier some glasses. We get mail delivered in a cluster of mailboxes at the end of our street. At least weekly (and usually daily) I get mail for my neighbors in my box - and likewise my neighbors do as well. It is like musical mail around here on at least a weekly basis. I suspect that our rural route carrier has an enormous route and tries to get done as quickly as possible. He is not particularly detail oriented. I admit I am somewhat jealous of all the great mail carrier stories. Tell me about it! I have gone round and round with the less-than-stellar rural route delivery persons. Apparently, doing their work and doing it well isn't part of their job requirement.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 No offense to anyone in particular, but I really didn't start this thread to invite complaints about service people. Just wanted to let anyone who is kind enough to give them know that they are appreciated. Can we try to keep the conversation about that, please? Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 they not only deliver the wrong mail....but they jerk off the door to my mailbox....and throw it on the ground next to it....geeze.....A gift....not hardly, LOL! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 That's the spirit! NOT! Ummm, can we try to keep our conversation about appreciating thoughtful gifts, please, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I give my mailman, my regular UPS guy (I know him well) and my cleaning lady VISA gift cards. I give my cleaning lady, Ramona, more because she's a sweety and deserve every penny she gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I've been wondering what to do for our mail carrier. I was thinking of putting $20.00 cash in his christmas card? what do you think? Too much, too little, too impersonal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Excuse me.....geeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 I've been wondering what to do for our mail carrier. I was thinking of putting $20.00 cash in his christmas card? what do you think? Too much, too little, too impersonal? Sounds fine - like you took the time to show some appreciation. Even $5 or $10 is plenty because it truly is the thought that counts. Honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Excuse me.....geeze. Just trying to keep it uplifting and cheerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinMominTX Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I wonder if it is a rural route thing? My parents, who have a regularly employed USPS carrier have the best service. I'd certainly give that guy some $$. I am so frustrated with ours. I rather automatically opened a piece of mail that was put in my mail box recently. Imagine my excitement when I saw it was a $2000 check...made out to my neighbor. Darn. I tracked down the neighbor, apologized profusely for inadvertantly opening their mail. I wonder how many of my checks have been opened and discarded by the neighbors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Yes, I plan on giving him $50. He's fabulous -- he hand-delivers all of my packages. Wow! He must be fabulous. I'm not even sure who our regular mail carrier is (I've seen couple different men and a woman, all from a distance) and never had any conversation with them. No complaints. My dad wasn't a mail carrier but a window clerk and worked long, long hours over the holidays. Many people would bring him gifts - usually baked goods - that he would bring home to the family. It's very thoughtful. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HootyTooty Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I was told by the post master that they were not allowed to accept cash gifts, but were allowed gifts such as mittens, cookies, and other non-monetary items. This year I'm not going to be giving anything. We have a rotating route so we rarely get the same regular mail person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 We gave our mailman a box of the BEST chocolate fudge today. Our postman is great. He has been with our neighborhood for years and is the nicest guy. I'm sure he gets a lot of gifts from the neighbors. Every year we like to give him something special because we appreciate the hard job he does...all those school supplies he walks up to our door are heavy. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodle Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I think maybe I will get my mail carrier some glasses. We get mail delivered in a cluster of mailboxes at the end of our street. At least weekly (and usually daily) I get mail for my neighbors in my box - and likewise my neighbors do as well. It is like musical mail around here on at least a weekly basis. I suspect that our rural route carrier has an enormous route and tries to get done as quickly as possible. He is not particularly detail oriented. I admit I am somewhat jealous of all the great mail carrier stories. He must be related to the guy who delivers around here. Recently I got a package from a make-up place. I don't wear make-up. I took it two doors down to the neighbor it belonged to. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when she in turn handed me my package from Amazon with my son's new vocabulary book. The garbage man however is great. Quick, efficient and friendly in the few instances I was awake early enough in the morning to see him. He left a homemade (computer generated) card last week. I'm planning on getting him a gift card for Dunkin' Donuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodle Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Don't forget your librarians and the circulation staff!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PariSarah Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I don't know if they graduate to better routes or if our county has a retention problem or what. But I never see any body long enough to feel like they're "my" postal worker. I do love the ladies at the counter at my local PO, though. Sweet, sweet gals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I certainly didn't find your comment to me 'uplifting' and 'cheerful'.....really. You can't always dictate how your OP will/should be answered..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elm in NJ Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 We get a different one every few weeks. They seem to be rotating the gender, ethnicity and age every few weeks. During the Thanksgiving period, we had the young Chinese guy, now it is the elderly black guy, then we have the middle age white lady, the white young hunk always in shorts, and there is the Indian middle age man. I think I have probably missed a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Quote: Originally Posted by nestof3 Yes, I plan on giving him $50. He's fabulous -- he hand-delivers all of my packages. Wow! He must be fabulous. Yep. On a similar note, my husband gets various gifts from his customers (he maintains lawns), and we appreciate everything from the homemade cookies to the money. Last Christmas, we were actually given enough to almost pay for our entire Christmas shopping, and we got a few handmade treats. My husband works for some very wealthy people though -- several actually give us $100. :) So, I really feel like the mailman who comes every day should be rewarded. We also give our employees bonuses. Our part-timer who's only worked two months is getting $100 in Bass Pro Shops gift cards, and our son is getting $200 worth of Wawa gift cards (for gas). We really feel like we should bless others as we have been blessed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamnkats Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I'm actually jealous of any mail carrier story. We have received one catalog (Sonlight) in the almost 2 years we've lived here. But no-one in Mexico uses the mail. Even bills are hand delivered. Early this year the president put on a huge campaign that the mail service would actually begin to function but I don't think anyone is using it. It has been so long that it has been corrupt and nonworking that it is impossible to think it could work. But the concept of receiving mail is very attractive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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