HOW do you give a Xmas gift to you garbage men?

[Anonymous]

If you aren't home, put the envelope(s) on top of the lid and use a small rock to hold them down. They'll see them. My son did this job for a while before he started his career, and it didn't pay very much where he was. He was truly grateful for Christmas gifts. Some people left candy, some left cards with money. He had a coworker, though, who refused to work the truck except at Christmas so that he could try and get all of the gifts, and let my son work it by himself the rest of the year, so if you're home, I would make sure each person received something?.

[Anonymous]

Not sure about DC, but here in Potomac, we pay a private sanitation company to collect our trash. The company sends us a note with the names of the collectors and instructions on how to tip them if desired. We write a check and send it to them in the mail with a card. The specifically instruct us not to tape it to the garbage can or gift them alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure about DC, but here in Potomac, we pay a private sanitation company to collect our trash. The company sends us a note with the names of the collectors and instructions on how to tip them if desired. We write a check and send it to them in the mail with a card. The specifically instruct us not to tape it to the garbage can or gift them alcohol.

This is so Potomac

[Anonymous]

I see two men working. Each season I leave small items in a box, such as $15 gift cards for hamburgers, sealed boxes (approx. $5 worth) of popular cookies, chips, candy. For Christmas, I built gift boxes of assorted sale items, such as toys, coloring books, notions, and $50 gift cards. Of course, if I am outside, we cheerfully holler and wave at each other.

[Anonymous]

I hang it on the mailbox with trash company's name on it the last trash pick up day before the holiday. they never miss it.

[Anonymous]

We leave a box/bag of cookies and a card sitting on top of the can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I taped a big note on the trash can that said "Please check in our mailbox. There is an envelope for you." I suppose a thief could see that and take the envelope too but it would take more balls b/c our mailbox is right up next to our front door.

If I were the trash collector, I'd be nervous about doing this, because it's illegal to take something out of someone else's mailbox (or put something in it, for that matter)

[Anonymous]

Stick a bow on the trashcan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We leave a box/bag of cookies and a card sitting on top of the can.[/quote]

Ugh, don't do that. Even for garbage men, that's so low. Have some respect.

[Anonymous]

We send our kids every now and then with cookies, snacks or cold gatorade when they drive by. For Christmas we give them a thank you card with a gift card from target or walmart. We just go out there, say happy holidays, and give them their cards. To the PP that said people don't do this in this area, you are wrong. My parents always did this when I was growing up and so did my husband's family. I would say 50% of our neighbors give them something for Christmas.

[Anonymous]

I have found the most precious gift they get is when we say, "Thank you". That they are appreciated means everything to them. Yes, I agree, a token gift of some homemade goodies and maybe that McDonald's or Subway Gift Card is a good idea. Yeah, I've waited in the snow/rain to make sure I meet them. I can't tell you how much it makes their day just that someone thought about them. Thank you for also caring. thank you so very much!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I run out and hand them each a card with $50 cash in it and make sure to shake their hands, thank them and wish them a merry Xmas. It’s a hard job and they do a great job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my neighborhood near Philly, the garbage men used to leave us empty envelopes we were supposed to fill for the holidays. Surprised not to see that here

Here (NoVa in general-we’ve moved around to different parts of it) the mail carrier always leaves that envelope. You can’t even consistently deliver our mail correctly so you must be kidding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTF does this? Do you also give gifts to the baggers at Giant? Metro drivers? Street sweepers? Cops? Crossing guard? School security officer?

If someone does a personal service for you, you TIP with $$ during the holiday - don't be a SCROOGE! Spread the joy!

But it’s not a personal service, as if they’re my concierge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I repeat: Do NOT tip sanitation workers. This is a NYC-only phenomenon and we need to keep that madness in check.

NY dweller here. I not only give Alex cash for Christmas, but a monthly tip. Saying thank you is a given! He just had a baby and gave him a gift! You know what I get in return? A young man who is lovely and polite, willing to do side jobs i.e. he helped me haul 200+ books to donate to library. Moves heavy items if I can’t do it. At this point, I’d hire him to be a house caretaker. Kindness peeps!