Gifts That Are Now Illegal For Mail Carriers To Accept In Minnesota

It's the season of giving, and for people whose love language is giving or receiving gifts, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Of course, gift giving isn't about materialism; experts say that the emphasis should be on thought, effort, and love put into the gift, not its cost or size. A small, well-chosen show of appreciation can be as meaningful as an expensive one.

That's important to keep in mind when showing gifting people who aren't in your family, such as your kid's school bus driver, a favorite server at your favorite bar or restaurant, or your mail carrier. You don't have to spend a lot to get your point across, and for mail carriers, there are actually limits on what they can legally accept.

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United States Postal Service Tipping and Gift-Receiving Policy

When it comes to giving a gift to your mail carrier in Minnesota, it's important to note that they are not State of Wisconsin employees.

Postal workers are federal employees whose jobs fall under the Executive Branch of the government, and therefore, they must comply with its Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees.

According to the postal service, the following rule must be followed when it comes to receiving gifts:

• Carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas.
• Cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, must never be accepted in any amount.
• No employee may accept more than $50 worth of gifts from any customer in any calendar year period.

Gift Ideas For Your Mail Carrier

With these federal rules in place regarding gifting your mail carrier, you may wonder what you could get them. Of course, homemade gifts are always a nice touch, but here are some other ideas you could have for your postal worker before the new year.

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