I need help with suggestions for what to do to tip the staff
of the parking garage at my building for Christmas.
The actual building staff is really easy – the management
office just sends out a letter telling you to drop off a check if you want to
contribute and they’ll distribute it evenly amongst the door staff, maintenance
staff, engineers, etc. So I just wrote a check for $100, which I know isn’t a
lot divided by the large amount of staff, but there are 900 units in my
building, so I think (hope!) it ends up being a nice holiday bonus for them.
My problem is the parking garage doesn’t do anything like
that. I definitely need to do SOMETHING for them… it’s valet so they valet my
car every day. They also are in charge of packages that get sent to the
building that are too big for your mailbox, and I order stuff online a lot. Oh
and you have to walk through the garage to take the dogs in/out, so basically
they all know Elle and I really well! Problem is there are 12 guys that work
there… I’d obviously like to give cash but can’t really afford any significant
amount since there are 12 of them. Would it be totally shitty to give them only
10 bucks each? Maybe bake some cookies too? Any other ideas?
I think a Christmas card with 10 bucks in it and a small package of cookies would work!
ReplyDeleteYou would probably burn the cookies so i would get your boifran to bake them cookies or cupcakes or something. then i'd include a lil package of instant hot chocolate (so they can make on their coffee/smoke breaks and it's cold duh) a $10 giftcard to somewhere to eat or WALMART GIFTCARD!! and then a lil card. i'd wrap it all up with clear celophane (put those squiggle paper things at the bottom) and with a big bow.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that baked goods and $10 is perfect! I believe that in this season of giving people accept and are grateful for anything.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first post, do a $10 giftcard somewhere to go with the cookies. Maybe Starbucks?
ReplyDeleteI think what you are planning is more than generous....I had a similar problem once and gave small gift cards, some cookies and a small (like airplane small) thing of Bailey's with some cocoa mix. Since these are all men...they might not appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteA friend once told me that she did a catered lunch for the garage staff of her building once (she wasn't a tenant - she was the manager) that might be too much of a pain in the ass for you.
And last, but not least, there might be other people in the same boat as you. So perhaps you could go to people that you know in the building, or on your floor, and take a collection (just make sure you give a minimum donation amount or some people might try to cheap out).
Either way, I think your idea is great too!
What about gift cards (Starbucks, Dunkin, Target, etc.)? Kind of generic, but I also feel like a gift card of a smaller amount "looks" better than just cash of the same small amount. Going in with neighbors in the same position is a good idea too.
ReplyDeleteI think $10 is reasonable, with cookies and/or card. Because even though it doesn't seem like that much, I'm sure MANY of the other people who also park in the garage are also going to give them at least that much.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think a gift card might look nicer than hard cash, I think they'd probably appreciate the cash as they can use it immediately. After all, $10 bucks is better than nothing! And some cookies too would definitely be a nice touch ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you should send them an Edible Arrangement. Reasonably priced, so yummy!
ReplyDeleteOk, I have never lived anywhere with more than 3 floors, and we definitely didn't have valet, so I have no idea how to help. I will, however, give you an opinion, because I have lots of them. What if, on a super cold morning, bring them all big coffees, a bunch of cookies, and cards? The cookies could be super easy, you could grab a box of cards, and cups of coffee for each one would be...what...like $4-5 a person tops?
ReplyDeleteI thought $10 is a wonderful idea. You could even do a Visa Gift Card if you wanted, but cash is always appreciated! Cookies are nice too!
ReplyDeleteI think you could do a $5-10 starbucks card and cookies if you didn't want to do cash.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with everyone else. 5-10 bucks as a holiday tip seems like a lot these days. EKM also mentioned hot chocolate-which made me think about new pair of gloves, hat, ear warmers, those pocket warmer things, a thermos-those dudes stand around in cold, cement garages. burrrrr! I'm sure they will be thankful for anything, and that you thought of them!
ReplyDeleteI think men love food. Even just a batch of something delicious and a card would probably be enough.
ReplyDeleteI think a $10.00 gift card to a coffee shop or sandwich store around your building would be perfect. Also, making batches of caramel corn and throwing them in a little plastic bag with a bow may be easier than making a bunch of batches of cookies. I use this recipe and it's super easy! http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2010/12/caramel-corn.html
ReplyDeleteI think a card (Dollar tree is 2 for $1 and they're name brand cute cards) with a $10 plus some baked goods would be really great! It's all about the thought, and I know they would appreciate it. I am a new follower!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's exactly the right idea - do what you can comfortably afford, so $10 with a card and/or cookies sounds perfect.
ReplyDelete