We've had the same mail carrier for several years now and he's just terrific! Always very friendly and reliable and goes out of his way to do extra pick ups/drop offs for you of packages, etc. I'd like to get him a little something this holiday to say thanks for all he does for us and our section of the neighborhood but I thought I read somewhere that mail carriers are not allowed to accept gifts? (maybe b/c they are government employees?)
I'm thinking probably just a gift card to Starbucks or something but wanted to see if anyone knows if there is this "rule"? And either way, has anyone given their mail carriers a gift during the holidays and if so what? (just wondering if there are any other good ideas to consider!) TIA for your help!
I think a Starbucks gift card &/or some homemade cookies is a great idea.
**BTW** For anyone who receives a gift card to a place they aren't crazy about, there are lots of websites where you can swap them with other people going through the same thing. www.plasticjungle.com & www.cardpool.com are just 2 examples. ;)
What is this with Starbucks....someone you don't know and just assume they drink coffee...yuck....I don't. Straight up cash is what I give....$20 in a Christmas card...he walks up my looooooong driveway everyday...he deserves it.
Please don't do starbucks unless you KNOW he's going to use it! I'm an insurance agent and I don't know if everyone assumes agents sit around their desk all day drinking Starbucks but I HATE them and that's all I seem to get as gift cards. I would rather have any other card besides theirs, just my opinion. Even things like a nice box of holiday chocolates I think would be great. Anyway, I hope you get some good suggestions, just thought I'd mention my feelings on Starbucks. =)
We've given a box of See's Candy for the last 18 years ... I love that candy ... it's one of those things whereby if you don't want it (which is rare) someone else will GLADLY take it off your hands. and true, they aren't suppose to accept monetary gifts.. I believe that is what our postal worker told us.. he is great.. same guy, same route... he knows everyone..
I have given my mail man a package every year for as long as I can remember even as a little girl. It is always a plate of homemade christmas cookies and candy.
I give our mail carrier a gift each year. It is not huge usually $10 in a christmas card that says thanks have a Merry christmas. Its about the same amount we did for teachers. But I do this also for the garbage man and the recycle man.
I absolutely LOVE my mail carrier too! Many of the mail carriers (such as mine) are actually contractors and not USPS employees, but that doesn't matter either way. They are all human and work hard (well, most of them at least) and a handful go above and beyond the call of duty. I give my mail carrier a gift card to the Outback Steakhouse every year. I put it in a decorated envelope and prop it up in my mailbox for him to see. Just a simple way to say "Thank you" for a year's worth of "a job well done"! Hope this helps. :)
The rule is that mail carriers can only accept gifts valued up to $20, and are not allowed to accept cash. I give my mail carrier a gift every Christmas - it's a tough job and she does it well. I usually give a Starbucks gift card plus some homemade cookies.
Edited to add: A lot of people give their mail carriers cash, and way more than $20. It's not allowed by the USPS, but if you don't tell, your mail carrier probably won't either.
Government employees are not suppose to receive large gifts, and are encouraged to decline any gift at all because of potential conflict of interest, etc... Last year, I put a box of chocolate truffles in the mailbox and put the red flag up. I peaked out the window when the mail carrier arrived and he looked around, then gave a big smile and wave good-bye. If you do give something, be discreet. Happy Holidays :)
They can accept gifts and they do. I used to bowl with a couple and they would go on about everything they got. Not in a bad way but clearly they get gifts.
I always give my mail carrier a gift for christmas. She is awesome. Sometimes its some craft i made or some hot chocolate I make in a basket w/cup. etc.
I read that the gift should be ~$20 but not money. I'm trying to figure out how to (easily) make $20 worth of cookies! HA! I'm new to our neighborhood, so I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anybody, but it's amazing how many people I'm "supposed to" tip/gift! Mailman, newspaper deliverer, trashmen (x3), regular delivery guys (we don't have any); PLUS the daycare teachers (x2) and "special staff" (director, asst. director, cook, doormen (x4); AND we have some fantastic neighbors who've helped us out a lot since we've moved in (x3 families)... I love picking/buying gifts but it sure would be a lot easier if money grew on trees! :)
When I worked for a company and sold to government agencies, they were not allowed to accept gifts over $50. That was almost 10 yrs ago. That is so sweet of you! I would give it to him. He'll know the rules and turn you down if he's not supposed to accept it. If you have to, tell him that you really appreciate all that he does for you in his job. ...."but this Starbuck's gift card is for him, from one friend to another, not because he is your mail carrier." wink-wink!
My X husband gets lots of good stuff from his mail route. He even got a ham for thanksgiving. He loves the gift cards.
This is a few days late (I don't check email every day). Sounds like our mailman, Fred!
I always bake lots of cookies and give a couple of pounds to my mailman. He has a family and seems to appreciate the thought. I know of others that give him the same or gift cards or cash. After 10 years of knowing each other and gossiping, I guess it's really the thought that counts. Hugs count, too.
My dad was a PO employee and couldn't accept anything over $50 value.
I was a mail carrier a few years ago and I never heard that there was a rule or a limit. Walmart is always a good gift card. Happy holidays!
We gave ours a $20 bill last year. He was very appreciative.
