Holiday Gifts & Bonuses for Household Workers
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Holiday Gifts & Bonuses for Household Workers
Nov. 2003
The holidays are coming and I'd really like to tip our garbage
men. Any advice on how to do this other than to get up at
5:30am and wait to hear the truck? I know some people leave an
envelope taped to the lid, but that doesn't sound too safe. Any
ideas welcome.
Ellen
I don't generally tip the garbage men but I do leave money for
them when I have a large load for them to take. I generally just
tape an envelope labeled '' for Waste Management'' on the top of
the can. I do not live on a busy street so I suppose theft isn't
a big issue but if you leave it out late at night the chances of
it being taken is less. One time the recycling man took the
money even though it was not on a recycling trash can. But he
took the garbage too. Go figure.
We have always chosen a yummy food item that could be shared
with more than one person in case there was more that one guy
that day. We then wrap it and put in on top of the can with a
BIG tag saying ''for the Garbageman''. I don't think it has ever
gotten stolen but if it does its just chocolate or cookies or
something, not cash. We also do the same for the mailperson.
Suzie
I'm glad you asked about tipping the garbage men. I feel too few people do it
these days. We always give money to the garbagemen, the postman, and the
newspaper deliverers. We used to give food, coffee from Peets, even wine,
but discovered that what they really wanted was money. I tape two envelopes
to the top of the garbage can, since I know we have two garbage men, with $5
in each envelope and a card. I used to give $10 each, but money has been
tight. I tried taping the envelopes inside the lid but more often than not they
didn't see it and then I would have to run after the truck. We do live on a
quiet street but in all the years I've been doing this it's never been stolen.
I give $20 or more to the mailman since we have alot of mail. I give $5 to the
newspaper deliverers. I would give money to the recycle guy but I haven't
figured out an easy way to do it.
I feel like we get great service from these people and I like to acknowledge
it, even if it's not that much money. I figure if everyone did it, it would really
add up! I'm glad you're thinking of these.
Grateful Holiday Giver
Nov. 2003
Would it be appropriate to tip the household cleaner and how
much? Would xmas be the only time to tip or should one tip more
often? (I'm new with having a housecleaner).
anon
I tip my house cleaner 1 week pay plus small gifts and gift
certificates for the GAP for her kids.
The standard for tipping is one month's salary.
anon.
I really like the tradition of tipping people who serve us. I
feel like if you can afford a service, you can afford to be
generous. Last year I had a housecleaner (this year I can't
afford one!). She came twice a month and each visit was about
$50.00. So at Christmas time, I gave her an extra $50.00 in a
Christmas card. She was a bit surprised and very pleased, and I
enjoyed doing it.
anon
Whenever someone is performing a service for you, it is appropriate to give a
gratuity. The only time you don't do this is if the person providing the
service is also the owner of the business they represent.
anon
I give my housekeeper a yearly bonus of two weeks' salary. I pay
her $60/week so a couple weeks before Xmas I give her $120. I also
pay her for the week of Christmas though she does not come to
clean. She has been working for me for almost 8 years and she is great!
Berkeley mom
I used to give end-of-year cash bonuses to babysitters and
housecleaners, but then I found that they preferred gifts! It
was a little surprising to me at first. My first year with a
housecleaner I gave a VERY large cash bonus, and it wasn't even
acknowledged! But after I started giving gifts (I found
homemade mementos were often preferred the most), I would get a
big smile and a thank you, and comments would be made afterward
about how much they liked it.
I also think gifts are more personal, whereas cash seems a
little cold. What I try to do instead is pay the very highest
rate I can afford all year round, rather than paying a little
low and trying to make up for it with a cash bonus.
likes giving gifts
Dec 2002
What do people give to house cleaners (only come 2 hours
a week), the gardeners, garbage men, mailman, and
part-time babysitters - the 3 or 4 people we use once a
month more or less. I really don't have time to do personal
gifts and/or bake. Would some nice chocolates and a CD
sound like the right combo (less than $20 per person)? It
looks like someone asked a similar question a few years
back but there were no answers posted. Thanks.
In the 'giving' spirit
As a professional gardener for many years, I have received
both gifts and cash bonuses from my clients. I personally
most appreciate the cash, especially since the rainy season
can be a strain financially.
anonymous
we give our garbage men and maillady gift certificates. last
year, we gave gift certificates to blockbuster video. that way,
they can choose a gift that suits them well.
jennifer
Call me lazy and crass, but I'd just give the cash. A nice crisp
bill with an appreciative note is a great gift, in my
experience. I look at it this way -- I'd much rather my own boss
give me cash. And $20 sounds good for the types of things you
mention.
Fran
My experience is that most people with those types of jobs
(except maybe the babysitters) have many customers and most
often appreciate a cash bonus more than little gifts from
people who don't know them well enough to know what they like.
I give at least the equivalent of a week's pay or more if it
seems warranted.
Another busy mom
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