Gifts for the Mailman & Others

With the holidays coming, you’d like to show your appreciation to those hardworking folks who provide services to you and your family. The mail carrier, babysitter, maid, your children’s teachers, and many others, deserve a little something, but how to decide what’s appropriate?

One important thing to remember is that not everyone celebrates the same holidays, or does so the same way. If you’re shopping for someone you don’t know very well, avoid gifts that scream “Christmas,” such as Santa figurines or items with religious connotations. That doesn’t mean that a gift would be unappreciated, if only in terms of an end-of-year bonus.

Cash tops the list of what most people want for Christmas, and it’s almost always appropriate. Most people who render services regularly consider it a tip, not a gift. The amounts given vary widely, so use your budget and common sense as a guide. Make sure cash, if given, is in fresh crisp bills—and only write personal checks if you’re absolutely certain they won’t bounce.

Mail carriers are not allowed to accept cash gifts, so to get around this, and to personalize your gift, consider giving gift certificates or gift cards instead. Certificates for fast food restaurants, movie tickets, grocery stores, department stores, and malls are universally appreciated.

For those who provide child-care services or teach, it’s always nice to get your children involved in the gift selection. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. While you’d think that teachers receive more kid-crafted items than they know what to do with, most are treasured. Teachers also appreciate gift certificates for stores that sell school supplies.

While many people still enjoy receiving homemade foods such as cookies, candy, and jams, our society has become suspicious of such items, (and some people have food allergies) so it may be best to offer the pre-packaged variety instead. If you’re set on giving homemade foods, be sure to clearly label the package inside and out with your name and, if appropriate, the ingredients. A tactful and generous way to provide the ingredient list is to include the recipe.

Whatever you decide to give your hard-working service providers, the most important thing to include is a heartfelt word of thanks.

Pamela Kock is a frequent American Profile contributor.

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