Appreciation Cards for Mousekeeping

[Hippychickali]

I know that there is a long-standing debate around here concerning the tipping of Mousekeepers. I don't want to start a debate about that. But I do want to share an idea with those who do not have the funds to tip or do not wish to do so but still wish to show their appreciation. Tonight, in preparation for an upcoming trip to the Word, I have made up an appreciation card for each night of our stay to leave for mousekeeping. I actually used the logo prepared on someone's website that is meant to be put on an envelope left for mousekeeping. Under it I typed a little message about how I appreciate the work that the mousekeeper does and how they have helped to make our honeymoon more magical. (I wrote it nicer than that, but you get the jist.) Anyway, I thought I would share my idea, realizing that it's not a new idea, but more importantly, I want to encourage those who go to the World to do the same if you have a little extra time. Use them at your discretion of course but it is always nice to have things like this on hand just in case you want to let someone know you appreciate their hard work.

Ali

 

[brando5111]

Don't want to be flamed here, but quite frankly I would think if you can spare the time/cost to make up these cards, you can leave a buck for the mousekeeper? Let's face it, if your at Disney, you can and should be able to afford at least a $1.00 per day on the dresser for the maid. I know you mean well, but I'm sure they'd appreciate the $1.00 much more, especially if they have mouths of their own to feed at home.

Just my $0.02 cents.....

 

[Hippychickali]

Brando, thank you for your opinion but in my opinion these cards took a lot more effort than simply slapping some change down on a dresser. It has nothing to do with whether or not I can afford to tip. Besides which, these cards cost me nothing to make and I think it's a nice alternative for those who choose not to tip for whatever reason they may have. If you would like to debate about that, there are plenty of people on the CB who would take you up on it. I just wanted to share an idea that I had.

Ali

 

[rarrington]

Great idea Ali!
They do a job that is often unappreciated and it's nice to think that a little effort on our part would give them some encouragement and brighten their day!

 

[Hippychickali]

Thank you rarrington. Like I said, I stole the idea from someone else but it's good to remind people about it. Have a great day!

Ali

 

[ceb29]

Sometimes an encouraging word on a bad day can mean more than the money.

 

[MandaPerry]

Have to agree with Brand5111. Having worked in a hotel, waitressed, and in various customer service related jobs I remember well the low base pay and how much the dollar here and there helped. When we go to WDW we have pre-made envelopes for mouse keeping and each day before we leave I put in a tip and always notes saying how much we appreciate the good service.
Manda's Mom

 

[going back]

I think the cards are a super idea.....just be sure to put a little money on the inside. The cards I fear would get filed in the permanent filer ( garbage ) promptly by the housekeeper who would continue on with her daily job of picking up after us. Encouragement is great, but they are not there wiping up our crumbs and making our beds for the pure joy of it......it is their job to earn money so they can live their lives....away from disney and our vacation.
I don't want to dis your idea....I think it is special and they would appreciate it much more IMHO with a couple of benjamins inside.

 

[Hippychickali]

No doubt they would appreciate it with money inside but I thought I was quite clear that I won't be providing it to them. So, as an alternative, I have suggested this idea. You know what: if 9 out of 10 maids simply throw this card away and it makes one smile, it's worth it to me.

So, for further posters, I'm well aware of the opinion help by many in favour of mousekeeping but that is not what this thread is about. I obviously did not make that clear in my OP.

Ali

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

The cards are a nice idea - however we had a couple maids inthe past who could not speak English very well - that said they may have trouble understanding what the card says - just a thought - We made special Mousekeeping envelopes and put $1 per person perday in them. The kids loved putting these out in the morning. And we always got extra soaps and towel animals and such through our whole trip.

 

[Hippychickali]

A lot of maid's do speak Spanish. That is why I have included a message in both English and Spanish.

Ali

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Great! Looks like you covered all angles - now go and enjoy and I hope that you have a great honeymooon!

 

[debdot]

there is no doubt that what you have done is an extremely thoughtful way to say thank you

but, i'm sure your can understand, the money would be more appreciated.

if the person who you worked for told you "thank you" or handed you an envelope - which one would you like better?

 

[G00fyDad]

Brando, thank you for your opinion but in my opinion these cards took a lot more effort than simply slapping some change down on a dresser. It has nothing to do with whether or not I can afford to tip. Besides which, these cards cost me nothing to make and I think it's a nice alternative for those who choose not to tip for whatever reason they may have. If you would like to debate about that, there are plenty of people on the CB who would take you up on it. I just wanted to share an idea that I had.

Ali

Calm down Ali... All Brando was trying to say is that they cant buy food with an appreciation card. If you want to go through the trouble of making the cards (and I do think it is a neat idea.) you can still laydown a dollar or two. I plan to tip them at least $5 a day AND I am taking your suggestion too and will be leaving a card from DD with the money.

 

[Hippychickali]

Deb, the point is I am not tipping mousekeeping. Period! So the way I look at is, if the person who you worked for told you "thank you" or did nothing to acknowledge your work - which one would you like better?

Ali

 

[G00fyDad]

For those of you that do not tip... I guess we should kind of thank you. If it were not for your inability to tip the Mousekeepers then they might not appreciate everyone else tipping and not do the special things they do as often.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I like the idea. I think I'll use it for our April trip. It sounds like a cute way to leave a much deserved tip for the person that will have to clean up our bathroom for 8 nights.

 

[swilphil]

I've worked for tips and personally would rather have nothing at all than a card by itself. I always tried to tell myself that the people who didn't tip just didn't know any better. If you are so against leaving money, perhaps you could leave the card with some sort of small gift--a candy bar or snack, homemade cookies, or even some nice hand lotion. I may only leave a dollar a day, if my money is running out, but I would forgo a Mickey Bar in the park so I could tip mousekeeping.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I may only leave a dollar a day, if my money is running out, but I would forgo a Mickey Bar in the park so I could tip mousekeeping.

 

[skiwee1]

Brando, thank you for your opinion but in my opinion these cards took a lot more effort than simply slapping some change down on a dresser. It has nothing to do with whether or not I can afford to tip. Besides which, these cards cost me nothing to make and I think it's a nice alternative for those who choose not to tip for whatever reason they may have. If you would like to debate about that, there are plenty of people on the CB who would take you up on it. I just wanted to share an idea that I had.

Ali

They might have taken more effort but the mousekeepers aren't looking for your "effort". They would much more appreciate tips then a card. Now if you want to leave a few bucks in the cards then that would be different. Giving a card without any tip is cheesey and just plain tacky.