Dana Kohler helps customers choose gifts at Christmas and year round in her job as assistant manager of The Party and Gift Co. in Springettsbury Township. For folks other than family and friends, she suggests thinking about how often they provide a service for you.
“Someone who helps you every day is someone to give a gift,” she said.
For professionals you visit periodically, like a hairstylist or dog groomer, Kohler suggests tipping them at each appointment instead, since you may not even see them at Christmastime.
On the other hand, she said, some people like to buy and deliver holiday gifts to everyone who helps them throughout the year.
“We’ve had people come in wanting to buy gifts for people like their doctor, their pastor, their dentist,” she said.
In the end, who you choose to bless with a gift is a personal decision. Keep in mind that some service employees have regulations regarding what items they can and cannot accept from customers.

Here’s the scoop on gift-giving for service professionals who help you every day:

CHRISTOPHER GLASS for Smart

'I've gotten everything from gift cards to a plate of cookies, and each one is something special,' said Joann Beaver, school bus driver for Southern School District.

School bus drivers

According to Dennis Warner, owner and president of Red Lion Bus Co., there are no rules regarding gift-giving to the school bus drivers. “It’s a neat thing that we as a company don’t get involved in.”
Gift-giving and showing appreciation is one of the areas in life that it’s best not to over-regulate, he said.
Since most of the drivers develop a rapport with their students, it is nice for the children to be involved, he said. “The way it usually happens is that the kids give gifts to the driver when they get on or off the bus. That’s the best way.”
Examples of things his drivers have received in the past include flowers, cupcakes, candy, mugs, tickets to events like a baseball game or bus-related items such as a school bus notepad, Warner said.
“The most common thing at Christmas is gift cards for department stores,” he said.

Bottom line: Give whatever you want and let the kids hand-deliver it.

Mail carriers

JASON PLOTKIN for Smart

York area mail carrier Sandy Amoros, left, once had cookies and cold milk waiting for him in a mailbox. Steve Hanna, also a York area mail carrier, remembers getting a pair of gloves from a person 'who probably couldn't afford to get it.'

Federal regulations govern what gifts postal workers can accept from customers, according to Mark Hnasko, central Pennsylvania district communications specialist with the United States Postal Service.
Mail carriers cannot accept cash in any amount or form, including money order, personal check or the newer credit card gift cards, Hnasko said.
“Alcohol cannot be accepted because it’s illegal to transport alcohol in a postal vehicle,” he said.
Gift cards to bookstores, gas stations, coffee shops or department stores are allowed, but they must be in the amount of $20 or less, Hnasko said. Boxes of candy, notecards, cookies, CDs, candles, ornaments or other small gifts with retail values of $20 or less are also acceptable.
Hnasko said everyone does not have to give Christmas gifts.
“It’s up to the customer whether or not they want to give their mail carrier something. They are not obligated.”
Either leaving a gift in the mailbox or actually handing it to the carrier are both OK, he said.
Bottom line: No cash or cash equivalent, no alcohol, and be sure small gifts are worth less than $20.

PAUL KUEHNEL for Smart

'A lady one time knitted me a hat and scarf. It worked out nice in the winter months,' said Bob Zech, York Newspaper Co. delivery person.

Newspaper carriers
There are no written rules concerning gifts for newspaper carriers, according to Bob Trazkovich, circulation director with the Hanover Evening Sun. He said the most common things carriers receive are cookies, candy and cash.
“If you ask a carrier, 99 out of 100 would probably say, ‘Give me cash,’ ” he said.
Cash is a welcome gift because newspaper carriers are independent contractors. That means they usually carry the burden of all of their expenses, such as the vehicle they use for delivery.
Customers can hand their Christmas gifts directly to the carrier or leave them in the box. “Or they can add it onto their bill and note that the extra amount is to go to their carrier,” Trazkovich said.
Bottom line: Cash tips are much appreciated.

BIL BOWDEN for Smart

'I actually had a lady buy me a workshirt and thermal socks back when it was cold weather. ... Those kinds of things really stick,' said Norris Smith, who works with Penn Waste.

Trash collectors
Paula Williams, a customer service representative with Penn Waste in Manchester, said her company prefers that no cash tips be given to her drivers or trash collectors. She suggests customers give gift certificates to McDonald’s or sporting goods stores where the workers could buy boots or work gloves for their jobs.
“Please do not put out any gift items, like a pair of gloves. They would see that and assume it is meant to be trash,” she said. The best plan is to send any gifts to the main office, Williams said. “Be sure to specify your township and your pickup day so they know which crew it is.”
Bottom line: No cash tips, and don’t put gifts out with the trash.