If you want to get your mail carrier a thoughtful gift but have no idea what is appropriate, we have a helpful list of the perfect gifts for mail carriers!
First, it’s crucial to know that there are legal guidelines for what mail carriers can and cannot accept. They cannot accept gifts over $20, cash, checks, gift cards, stocks, or alcohol.
So, what can you give your mail carrier? We have some stellar ideas and suggestions! Keep reading for 25 thoughtful gifts you can give your mail carrier that won’t get them in trouble!
One of the easiest gifts for mail carriers is food. Perishable food falls within the federal guidelines for gifts and is a comforting present for your busy and likely stressed mail carrier. You can always bake your own cookies, but how adorable are these mail-carrier cookies?
These cookies are $5 each, so you can get four and gift them without breaking any rules, or you can give one to keep things simple!
Most mail carriers get up before the sun, so coffee is a must-have. But sipping on a cold coffee or trying to chug coffee before heading out the door is unpleasant, so you can make your mail carrier’s mornings a little better. This travel mug is under $20, even for the bigger size, so it’s a thoughtful gift for any mail carrier.
Hand-knitted mittens are a lovely gift for your mail carrier in the winter, especially if you live in a cold place. Between trekking to mailboxes in the snow and keeping their hands on the likely freezing steering wheel all day, their fingers probably get chilly. These affordable mittens have a soft, luxurious feel that will keep them toasty warm even in freezing weather.
If you know your mail carrier is a coffee-lover, get them a bag of gourmet coffee they can brew before heading out for a day full of deliveries. Gourmet coffee sounds pricey, but you can find lush coffee grounds at surprisingly low prices, like this Cookies N’ Dreams coffee.
Fancy coffee is a fun and yummy gift you can give your coffee-loving mail carrier that they’ll genuinely appreciate.
A warm cup of coffee is wonderful in the winter, but when the sun is scorching, mail carriers need to stay hydrated. Your mail carrier can elevate their water with this fruit infuser bottle that will keep their water cold while allowing them to add fresh fruit for extra flavor! They can use strawberries, blueberries, lemons, limes, cucumbers, or any other flavor they enjoy.
If you want to give your mail carrier a delightful Christmas present, a cute mail carrier ornament is the perfect option. This mailman ornament is humorous with some sarcasm, but you can explore other options on Etsy, which range from artistic and pretty to simple and basic.
Many ornaments are under $20 with several style options and the ability to personalize with the mail carrier’s name or a kind message.
A bag of festive candy is an easy holiday gift for your mail carrier. Whether it’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Halloween, a bag of themed candy is a fun present, and most people love candy!
You can buy a unique bag like this old-fashioned mix or a standard holiday candy bag. Amazon has plenty of options, but so do your local grocery stores and convenience shops. Massive bags are typically under $20, or you can get two smaller bags for less than $15.
Another gift idea in the vein of sweets is a premium box of chocolates, like this Ferrero Rocher collection. The box comes with three different types of chocolate: hazelnut milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and coconut chocolate.
While someone may buy a bag of holiday candy for themselves, they’re less likely to splurge on a fancy box like this, but at less than $20, it’s a great gift for someone who deserves a small luxury treat.
If your mail carrier has a decent sense of humor, consider getting them a silly mail-related t-shirt. When in doubt, a t-shirt is a good gift, as who doesn’t wear t-shirts? Etsy has a broad range of mail carrier-related t-shirts; some are humorous and sarcastic, while others are sleek and simple. So explore the options and pick one you think your mail carrier will appreciate!
Do you think your mail carrier is the best in the world? If yes, give them a trophy that says so! Mail carriers may get a thank you now and then for their work, but they don’t get nearly enough appreciation.
A tiny personalized trophy like this is endearing and meaningful, letting them know how much you appreciate everything they do for the community. You can also find personalized medals on Etsy if you think that’s a better option.
Most adults start their mornings with either coffee or tea, so a mug is a safe gift if you’re unsure what your mailman is like or what interests them. Again, this mailman mug is sarcastic and funny, but you can find many other options that are simpler or more aesthetically pleasing. Some say things like “Greatest Mailman Ever,” which is a safe choice for any mail carrier.
In their line of work, mail carriers often encounter dogs. Some are friendly, while others, not so much. For this reason, mail carriers often carry dog treats around with them, whether to placate or distract an unfriendly dog or make friends with a sweet puppy.
They usually pay for these treats out of their own pocket, so it’s super thoughtful and kind to gift them a big container of doggie treats! This gift is especially considerate if you have a dog who has enjoyed a few of the mail carrier’s treats in the past.
If you don’t want to give your mail carrier a present related to your job because that’s not always fun for them, this funky book is a crowd-pleaser. This gift is great for someone who has everything or someone difficult to shop for, which may include your mail carrier! It’s filled with fascinating, obscure facts and anecdotes that can entertain them during lulls in the workday.
A lovely bouquet is an endearing gift for anyone. Gift your mail carrier a beautiful bouquet of in-season flowers to brighten their day and show your appreciation.
This bouquet is slightly over the designated budget, but maybe you can just keep that information secret, or pick up a bouquet at a local store. While it’s definitely appropriate for female mail carriers, some men appreciate flowers too!
Similar to the bouquet, you can buy your mail carrier this succulent gift box that comes with personalized pots. This gift box comes with one live succulent, a customized white ceramic pot, a bamboo tray, and a planter, giving them everything they need to nurture their new little green friend. UJnlike flowers, this is a lasting gift they can appreciate for years.
Again, when choosing a gift for your mail carrier, food is a great option because it falls within the federal parameters for accepting gifts.
If you think your mail carrier is more of a salami and cheese person than a fancy box of a chocolate person, this Hillshire Farm collection of sausage, cheese, crackers, and mustard is a mouthwatering and generous present they can enjoy on the go or at home!
For all the mail carriers out there that can’t resist cracking a cheesy joke, this book is a fantastic gift. It’s packed with laugh-out-loud jokes that will bring a smile to your mail carrier’s face. If you have a mail carrier who constantly offers up corny jokes and silly puns, help them add to their collection with this robust book of jokes and one-liners.
This cute keychain pulls double duty, offering an adorable addition to your mail carrier’s keychain while giving them a handy place to keep hand sanitizer. All mail carriers have keys, so it’s the perfect small gift that they can admire every day. The keychain can come with or without sanitizer, but we recommend springing for the sanitizer to complete the gift.
Buying a t-shirt requires knowing your mail carrier’s shirt size, but hats are one-size-fits-all! This hat is sarcastic and funny, making it perfect for mail carriers with a great sense of humor. But you can also find other mail carrier hats, stating more positive things like “Best Mailman Ever” or a simple postal worker logo or mail-related image.
While you can’t gift your mail carrier beer, you can gift them a stylish koozie to keep their beer cold! If you know your mail carrier is a beer fanatic, this cool koozie from Brumate makes a superb gift. It comes in a wide range of colors and designs, and they can also use it to keep soda cold while working, as it fits easily into any cup holder.
Mail carriers trek around your town in all weather, including blizzards and snow up to their thighs. It’s not an easy job, but a super plush and snuggly blanket like this can help them warm up and get comfy after a long day of delivering in harsh conditions.
Blankets are another safe gift that almost everyone will enjoy. Amazon has plenty of blankets under $20, so you can pick from many colors, styles, and materials.
Honestly, who does love a quality candle? If you’re unsure about what your mail carrier would like, a simple but quality candle like this Balsam and Cedar can be an easy gift.
Pine-like scents can be a safe choice, or you can opt for other crowd-pleasing scents like Clean Linen or Sea Breeze. Your mail carrier can relax and unwind at home, enveloped by the sweet scent of the candle.
A pair of mail-themed socks are a useful and cute gift for any mail carrier. These comfy, soft socks have little mail trucks, packages, mailboxes, and postage stamps on them.
They’re warm and supple, so in addition to being adorable, they’ll also keep your mail carrier’s feet warm and toasty when they have to walk around in the snow and cold. And HOTSOX will gift wrap it for you so you can just hand it to them!
This ornament is meant for hanging on a rearview mirror, but it can also be a tree ornament! The little mail carrier on this ornament is adorable and charming, and the mail carrier can hang it in their personal car or keep it in their mail truck, bringing a smile to their face every time they see it.
While it might not be the most exciting or useful gift, it’s a nice reminder for them that you recognize all the hard work they do.
Last but not least, if you want to gift your mail carrier something for retirement, this beanie is a cozy and affordable option. The beanie labels your former mail carrier as legendary, showing how much you appreciate them so they can head into retirement feeling valued.
Retiring is a big deal, so commemorating it with a comfy gift like this is kind, but there are many other retirement-related gifts out there.
Many people don’t realize how hard mail carriers work to get packages and mail to us, which we often take for granted.
As the USPS mission statement says, postal workers and mail carriers are dedicated to their profession, so even a small gift can make mail carriers feel appreciated and valued in the community.
Hopefully, this list has given you some excellent ideas concerning gifts for mail carriers and inspired you to show them how grateful you are for their work.
Cardi “likes to party” Clark has 15+ years of designing, planning, and executing successful parties and events. Highly skilled in event strategy, management, planning, and execution with a track record of exceeding expectations. I make it happen. I get it done and people have fun!
