Tipping the Christmas Tree Person

[lolane]

Today my fiance and I went to pick out a X-mas tree for his place. We picked it out and then a gentleman came and got it for us and then tied it up on the car. We felt like we should tip him, but we didn't know:

1. Is it appropriate to tip the person who gets your Christmas tree for you and then ties it to your car?

2. If you should tip them, how much?

We tipped $5. Our tree was small and I felt like that was a decent amount, I think we would have tipped more if we had a really large tree. The gentleman accepted the tip and looked suprised (but happy) so I don't know if people usually don't tip.

[Alida]

I've never tipped - I didn't know that was expected?

[lolane]

our trees at our xmas tree places can cost up to 100 bucks, with 60.00 being " affordable" I consider anything they do- such as cutting the tree base, carrying the tree to our truck, or tying it for us part of the cost of the tree. no way am I tipping them. I am very polite, say thank you, smile sincerely and wish them a merry christmas.

Wow! $100! I wouldn't tip either! Trees in our area start around $35 for 5 foot trees and go up from there/ Ours was $46 and it's a little over 5 feet and very full.

[Gigi]

The high-school and college kids that work at the tree farm we use work for minimum wage.  You can bet we tipped the young man that shook the needles, netted the 9 foot tree, carried it to the car, wrestled it onto the roof and tied it down.  He did all this with a smile too. I don't see it as any different than tipping a waiter, hairdresser, manicurist or anyone else who's given you good service.  If the guy owned the tree lot it might be a different story, but it's Christmas.  Why not be a little generous and spread a litle cheer?

[Chirple]

I'm in southern California.  Our tree averages $100.  We tip $10 for the young man who walks with you to find your tree, cuts the tree, carries it to the wrapping station, waits while you pay, carries it to your car, ties it nicely to the car and wishes us a Merry Christmas.

He probably handles 5-7 trees an hour, at best.  So, if he's making minimum wage, and gets 1/2 the people tipping, he's doing fine for seasonal work.

My son did this one year and it's really hard work.  He said about 1/2 the people tipped.  Usually between $2-10.

[stanthedevil]

A bellhop at a hotel makes at least minimum wage.  A concierge at a hotel nice enough to have once lives quite well.  A limo driver also gets a nice check at the end of the week (usually).  However, speaking in terms of society, we all slip them a few dollars when their services are performed.  I see little difference between a bellhop who meets you at the door helps you unload your bags and then delivers them to your room and the young man who meets you at the gate, cuts down your tree, bags it, and ties it down on top of your car.

[lolane]

I'm in southern California.  Our tree averages $100.

Wow! I'm in No. CA and it's much cheaper.

Well, it seems from everyone's response that we were correct to tip, but that we should have probably tipped more than $5.

[behindbj]

I'm in southern California.  Our tree averages $100.

Wow! I'm in No. CA and it's much cheaper.

Well, it seems from everyone's response that we were correct to tip, but that we should have probably tipped more than $5.

When I still purchased a live tree (I don't do so now for safety reasons - I live in a rowhouse), I purchased it from the local volunteer fire department (mmmmm...firemen....lifting trees and stuff...anyway).  They wouldn't accept tips, so folks always gave more to the firehouse.  Whenever I purchased, no one accepted their change, either and left it with the firemen.

behindbj

[Shoo]

All my life I've lived in the Pacific Northwest, where fresh Christmas trees are in abundance.  There is no shortage of places to buy one.   We used to buy one from a lot, but lately we've been going to a farm, hiking into the woods, and choosing and cutting our own tree (a lot of fun!).

I have to say that in all the years I've lived here, growing up and then on my own, I have never once tipped a Christmas tree stand/farm worker.  I don't know anybody who does that.  It would absolutely never in a million years cross my mind to do so.

Tipping ... where does/will it end?  Can't somebody just do their job without expecting the customer to give them money?  Can't I simply buy something?  IMO, when I buy a Christmas tree from a lot of wherever, part of what I am paying for is the strong young man who may or may not help me get the tree to my car.  For heaven's sake, they don't even net it for free anymore - that costs extra.

So, no.  I do not and will not tip for being allowed to buy a Christmas tree.  Sorry.

[Morty'sCleaningLady]

Gosh I feel cheap now!  I generally tip $2 for a $45 7 foot blue spruce.  The gentleman bags the tree, carries it to my teeny tiny car and never cries when asked to tie the tree to the roof.  Maybe I should start tipping more?

[CocoCamm]

Really I think you should tip regardless of how much you pay. For example I wouldnt not tip at an expensive resturant simply because I paid more for my meal..kwim?

I dont know how you dont tip to be honest. I mean these people are outside in the elements all day, they cut down the tree, trim it, bag it, haul it to your car and tie it. How do you not tip for all that? Regardess of how expensive the trees are I bet 9X out of 10 the kid that does most of the work is probably only making minimum wage.


I could see if all the do is cut down the tree to not tip, but if they are doing everything else, I dont know, it just seems so Un Christmasy to not tip.

[dawbs]

I dont know how you dont tip to be honest. I mean these people are outside in the elements all day, they cut down the tree, trim it, bag it, haul it to your car and tie it. How do you not tip for all that? Regardess of how expensive the trees are I bet 9X out of 10 the kid that does most of the work is probably only making minimum wage.

The same way my customers dont' tip me all summer for working out in the elements, making their houses look spectacular, cleaning up after myself and other people, and then driving to the next house to repeat it

I"m going to agree that I don't see this as a job that "needs" a tip.  Granted, I'm not a big fan of the tipping system (yes, I've worked for tips.  yes, I tip well at places where tips are expected--food service, etc.  No, I don't tip at other places), but this is a job where someone is paid a wage (albiet, possibly minimum, but that doesn't seem germain to the argument)to do all the things mentioned. 

(and, of course, it quickly ends up in the "but you don't have to tip owners" gray area, as most of the tree farms 'round here are operated by the owners and their families)

[Evil Duckie]

We bought our tree from a near by tree farm. We spent $35 on a 7' tree.

As to tipping for help with the tree. We do not tip.  The owner does not allow any of his staff to accept tips. He says that this prevents alot of problems. He does hire some just for the season, but most of his employees are year round. Christmas trees are only a small part of his tree farm.

[mrsbrandt]

Unfortunately this year we bought our tree from a Lot.  These were pre-cut trees, and normally we cut our own down and haul it to the car ourselves.  At the lot this year we wound up paying $55 for a 7 foot tree and the guy didn't even bother to net it for us, after we asked him to.  Dh felt like a heel asking for change back and the guy didn't offer to give him the change, so we wound up tipping $5.  Even though the guy didn't bother actually doing anything to the tree except carrying it about 10 feet to our car.  Dh was the one to strap it to the roof and everything else.  DH and I would have preferred not to tip this guy, he didn't do anything and his attitude was lousy.

Normally when we cut down our own tree (we spend about $60) and the high school guys who help us by netting the tree, shaking out the needles, and helping DH put it on the roof get tipped about $5-$10.  Needless to say after this year's experience we're definitely going to go back to cutting down our own tree.  It is much nicer than getting it at a lot.

[kingsrings]

I agree with the others who say that tipping is getting out of control. I don't buy a Christmas tree, but if I did, I would not tip the employees. Seriously, when does this tipping end? It has gotten out of control to the point where EVERYONE seems to think they're justified in getting a tip. I believe that only wait staff at restaurants should be tipped, and that's it. As a customer, I don't like having those little monetary odds and ends being added to my total for everything bought nowadays.