No matter the weather, no matter how difficult, the delivery agent must deliver. But how do you properly show your appreciation? And how do you show appreciation the right way to ensure or encourage stellar service? after all, you want your fragile items to be respected. Turns out a little preventative sweetness goes a long way.
why thank your publication?
Mail delivery is no walk in the park, despite how easy the job may seem for your mail carrier.
- Couriers are essential workers: 59% of adults say they rely on postal workers more than ever. (source)
- According to the gao, an average of 34,000 injuries occur to postal workers each year, and approximately 13,000 of those strong>injuries (38 percent) directly attributed to mail delivery. (source)
- the us The Postal Service reports that nearly 6,000 postal employees are attacked by dogs across the country each year. (source)
how to thank your postie & delivery guys
posties are also people.
posties like cards and money. Here are some kind ways to thank your hard-working posties, not just on Christmas and National Mail Carrier Appreciation Day, but every day. .
money is king
When in doubt, a cool $5, $10, $20 or more on a card is the perfect gift. trust me, posties get enough chocolates and re-gifted items at christmas, they don’t need yours. although I’m sure they would still appreciate the idea, so if what you have is chocolate, then chocolate is wonderful.
drinks
wine or beer sets are too heavy to carry in a bag over potentially long distances, and some posties won’t drink. and some posties could sit down and drink all the bottles at the same time.
if you know your postman well enough and you know he enjoys drinking, let him know in advance that you’ll leave some wine for him to pick up later, or if you arrive with a delivery vehicle every day anyway, that works too
hot chocolate packets or a set of cup and powdered hot chocolate are a good gift.
yes, gift cards
gift cards are the standard alternative gift for teachers and other acquaintances who don’t know what to get. Posties go through shoes faster than a werewolf in Paris (?), so if you must descend to the level of gift cards, consider one from an outdoor or athletic store. Amazon gift cards work, but it’s always better to support local small businesses and keep the community strong.
write letters!
a handwritten card is a touching keepsake that your postie will proudly display on her sorting desk, or perhaps take home and add to her non-denominational Christmas tree or mantle of chimney nothing is more personal or appreciated than a handwritten card saying thank you for all you do throughout the year! (and some money).
some examples of thank you notes from the postman
- every day I hope to open the mailbox and find another bill. feel free to hand over a few checks once in a while. 🙂 thanks for your top service, postie!
- I want to thank you for the brief visit and tea the other day; living out here is lonely in the winter months and you are the person I look forward to seeing every day! sad but true haha thanks again!
- how do you handle all those stairs in winter? here’s some money for some new shoes or hot coffee this winter, whatever keeps you safe and warm!
- thank you for your accuracy in delivering our mail (as opposed to someone else’s). I think the other postie we had was dyslexic. 😉
- thank you for being nice to our dog and pampering him with treats! We think he likes you more than us!
sweets and treats
posties appreciate an apple or granola bar or energy drinks if they’re clearly marked that they’re destined for their mail carrier. Be sure to seal perishables in a food-safe paper or ziplock bag, and go crazy with stickers and decorations if you have kids in your household (or even if you don’t). if you want to go above and beyond the call of duty, list ingredients in case of food allergies or sensitivities.
on hot days, let them drink water
Leave a bottle of water with a small ribbon and a clearly marked thank you note for your mail carrier. If it’s a really hot day and they’re working overtime, leave the sprinkler on when they come by.
just say thank you
if you’re home when the mailman arrives, say hello and say thank you. get the kids involved too. postmen love those things.
thanks to your postman, a note from a child
Do you think your humble thank you note means nothing? think again.
here’s an inspiring story from the 2020 covid-19 pandemic: a girl wrote a simple thank you note to her postman and received hundreds of replies
give them something to brighten their day
“There are so many key workers out there helping to keep us safe and well – and posties are on the front line. Show your postie you love them with this brilliant poster from Plymouth illustrator Sarah Smalldon.”
also see fun ways to say thank you to someone.