I've never given an xmas gift to them before, but since this is the first time I've had a walking delivery guy who has been the same person all year, and because I get a TON of packages by US mail (mostly fabric, and therefore light, but still bulky), I'm planning to tape an xmas card to the door over the mail slot monday when I head out to work with a couple movie passes in it. (I get a lot of free movie tickets at work... sort of a regift, but a useful one, and the passes I get are for new releases, too. Only surcharge is anextra $1.50 for Imax.)

-One can't give cash gifts in the US....I gave mine a gift card from J&R (like an independent Best Buy) until he mangled a package which should have been left in the cubby.

One can't give cash gifts in the US.

I was not aware of that rule.

My grandfather worked for the USPS for YEARS, I remember him getting lots of gifts, but yeah, most were of the gift certificate/fruit basket sort. A lot of the businesses on his route would give him services in trade. Free haircut, etc.

Woah, It never occurred to give that guy a tip. First, I'm always at work when the mail carriers make their rounds. Second, where does it end? Do I tip the guy from the gas company who comes to read the meter?

We always left a batch of cookies or brownies in the mailbox for him or her.

Two words: Chia Pet.

Or fudge! Everyone likes fudge.

Woah, It never occurred to give that guy a tip.

Well, as I mentioned in that thread, my postie is exceptionally nice to me--he drops off my packages on his way home, even though normally we ruralites don't get that service. He says he's happy to help me out, since I don't have a car. (I did some work for them in the spring, which is how he & his wife know a)that I am without transport, and b)where I live.) Fudge is a great idea, BOP! I'm just heading over to my uncle's to make some, as it happens! Thanks--problem solved.

Also, I do think tipping the postie is very different from, say, the gas or hydro/electricity people--he/she carries delivers every day (every weekday here in Canadia), rain or shine, sleet or snow, etc etc etc. Plus, they know where you live--it's always good to keep people with that knowledge happy ;)

Hee--chia pet. *giggle, titter*

We give him a batch of cookies every year.

I think that USPS discourages (prohibits?) gifts over $20 in value, cash or otherwise. Though now that I'm looking, I can't find the USPS page with that guideline.

I don't give cash (to anyone, really) and only partly because I'm a perpetually broke student. My dad always gave our (very friendly, very hardworking) childhood postman a bottle of liquor and a big bag of M&Ms, and never got a complaint.

I'm leaving my mail carrier a packet of homemade biscotti, with my name on them and an ingredient label in case of allergies. It's a small town, and she knows me by sight as well as by name, so I hope she'll feel comfortable eating them. If instead she tosses them in her trash, I'll never know.

The bus drivers, who only know my face, not my name, have always cheerfully snarfled down cookies I've given them. [Town redacted] has a small-town mindset, even though it's really a small city.

Nothing. Because I'm broke.

If I weren't already giving my super fifty bucks that I'm not actually in a position to spend, I might give my postman a little something.

My dad has given our postman something every year (usually a gift certificate of some variety) because the one year, he picked up one of his dogs that had gotten out and brought her back to my dad, IN HIS POST OFFICE TRUCK.
I

We order things online all year (we also eBay on a pretty much continual basis). The postman always helps us out if packages are missed, etc. We'll probably just give him some cash.

one word: booze.

I've been meaning to take a carton of beer over to the delivery centre for a few days now, but haven't had the time. I know a lot of posties appreciate it when customers leave a cold (non-alcoholic) drink out for them. In the Northern Hemisphere I suppose leaving a thermos of cocoa or something would have "food security" issues.

The rule here is they can't solicit gifts.

Weirdly, we tip the UPS guy, but not the mail carrier. Mainly because we seem to constantly have different ones, so there's no relationship, but the same guy has had our UPS route for something like 4 years now.