Appreciation Cards for Mousekeeping

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Ali ~

I'm all for your idea!!! And if you've made your cards with smiles, flowers, pictures, etc. then the language doesn't matter. One thing that I've done in the past (not just at Disney but other places as well) is to bring some type of little candies that are popular where we're from but not necessarily popular in FL. I've even brought homemade fudge from home before. I've then left a little note for housekeeping with one or two pieces of candy each day.

As far as the idea of leaving a dollar vs. leaving a card/note - I disagree completely. I think a dollar is an insult. But again, this isn't a debate on whether to tip or not, because as Ali said she's not tipping. (And - to put my two cents worth in on that...even though it's not the debate I don't tip either!)

Have fun Ali. You've obviously put a lot of planning into your trip, not just for yourself but for others as well.

 

[AbbysFamily]

I'm not going to get into the tip/no tip arguement (I'm planning on tipping, but not going to push a view one way or the other.)

However, I would like to thank the poster for sharing these. I believe that these may be a REALLY nice thing to have tossed in my fanny or camera pack. Then if a random CM in one of the parks does something nice, I have these handy as a thank you in addition to just saying thank you.

I'm even going to combine ideas from another thread where people talk about "padding" disney dollars into a tear off pad for gifts. I may need to make a pad of these. Then they may stay nice too.

 

[Nolcrest]

I wouldn't give them a note of appreciation without including a tip. If I were sincere about my appreciation I'd leave a tip.

Knowing that the acknowledgement cards are even pre-written doesn't seem sincere to me.

However if you're comfortable with doing this - on your magical honeymoon trip - that's fine.

An aside story: One of my most memorable wedding moments from 20 years ago was when we had some young single guy friends attend our reception. They obviously didn't have the money to place in the card and they opened their wallets and between them came up with about 17 dollars in fives and singles and put that in. My husband & I thought it was great - when we were opening our cards we thought it was so thoughtful that they cared enough to give us their "last" dollars. We would have been okay with just a card (it was important that they were there, we truly didn't care about the money) but the collected $ inside was a sign of their caring and sincerity to us. This thread brought back that memory.

 

[Hippychickali]

I don't want to be flamed by the OP. But here's my perspective. Wouldn't you prefer to get a raise in your job as recognition for a job well done, or would you like to get a nicely made thank-you card?

As a previous poster said quite well, a card won't pay the bills. Mousekeeping probably relies on those tips to pay for a particular daily expense. I, for one, will give them the money. A card, as nicely made as it may be, will not make their lives easier. Yes it may make them feel better that they're appreciated. But it WON'T put food on the table. And isn't that why people work???

I am not the housekeepers' employer.

This thread was not intended for those who choose to tip and I have made that quite obvious. If you want to debate tipping, go ahead but I've already stated my stance and explanation several times. If you would like to read it, we have a neat little feature here called the "search" function and there are even easier ways to access my individual posts.

Ali

 

[Hippychickali]

I wouldn't give them a note of appreciation without including a tip. If I were sincere about my appreciation I'd leave a tip.

Knowing that the acknowledgement cards are even pre-written doesn't seem sincere to me.

However if you're comfortable with doing this - on your magical honeymoon trip - that's fine.

An aside story: One of my most memorable wedding moments from 20 years ago was when we had some young single guy friends attend our reception. They obviously didn't have the money to place in the card and they opened their wallets and between them came up with about 17 dollars in fives and singles and put that in. My husband & I thought it was great - when we were opening our cards we thought it was so thoughtful that they cared enough to give us their "last" dollars. We would have been okay with just a card (it was important that they were there, we truly didn't care about the money) but the collected $ inside was a sign of their caring and sincerity to us. This thread brought back that memory.

I find it amusing that you are adament about tipping yet you took away someone's last dollars. If you can afford to have a fancy wedding, imho, you shouldn't need to do this. At our wedding, we have specifically said that while we appreciate the thought that goes into gifts and money, we would much rather have our friends and family there.

It seems that to a lot of people money = apprecitiation and that's fine. We just see the world differently. (BTW, I do tip those in tipped position very well.)

Ali

 

[disneyjunkie]

This thread was not intended for those who choose to tip and I have made that quite obvious. Ali

I thought it was to share your appreciation cards. Many of us think the cards are a great idea. We're glad you decided to share them us and we plan to use them.

 

[Hippychickali]

I thought it was to share your appreciation cards. Many of us think the cards are a great idea. We're glad you decided to share them us and we plan to use them.

I actually didn't share any of my appreciation cards but you are right. It is to encourage other non-tippers to show their appreciation in this way.

Ali

 

[disneyjunkie]

I actually didn't share any of my appreciation cards but you are right. It is to encourage other non-tippers to show their appreciation in this way.

Ali

My bad, you didn't share them on this thread, but a link to them was posted on another thread.

Maybe they were only intended for non-tippers, but tippers can also make good use of them.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Hippychickali]

Actually the link on the other thread was different. That was for cast member apprecitation cards and didn't take hardly any effort at all. I want to make that difference known because the cards I leave for mousekeeping are much more detailed and in two languages.

Ali

 

[Julia M]

Actually the link on the other thread was different. That was for cast member apprecitation cards and didn't take hardly any effort at all. I want to make that difference known because the cards I leave for mousekeeping are much more detailed and in two languages.

Ali

Ali,

It's fine that you don't tip, and it's fine that you are making your appreciation cards for housekeeping, but coming out and saying that someone else's idea/card didn't take any effort............and that you want it known that yours are "detailed and in two languages" and DID take effort..........now that's tacky.

JMHO

Julia

 

[Hippychickali]

Ali,

It's fine that you don't tip, and it's fine that you are making your appreciation cards for housekeeping, but coming out and saying that someone else's idea/card didn't take any effort............and that you want it known that yours are "detailed and in two languages" and DID take effort..........now that's tacky.

JMHO

Julia

That "someone else" that you refer to was me. I was making a distinction between my general CM appreciation cards and my mousekeeping ones. Taking you humble opinion into account Julia: I deeply apologize to me for insulting me and promise never to insult myself or my work again. And furthermore, I accept the apology of me for me having insulted myself and I ask myself not to be so hard on me...or myself.

All set now Julia?

Ali/me/myself

 

[disneyjunkie]

Mousekeepers are Cast Members.

 

[Hippychickali]

Ok...mousekeepers are cast members. Fair enough. So, I guess I'm making a distinction between a specific type of cast member versus cast members in general.

Oh the games people play.

Ali

 

[Julia M]

Bottom line, Ali, is that appreciation cards, for the most part, are for your benefit.

A cash tip benefits the housekeeper.

If you want to show your appreciation in a non cash way, that might actually benefit the CM, speak to a supervisor, give the persons (CM's) name or write a note to the specific hotel.

For example, make a 3 x 5 card with something preprinted (of you must), and then hand write, specifically, what the person did, and give it to a supervisor, or even give it to someone in guest relations on Main Street.

BTW. I didn't realize that you were comparing two kinds of appreciation cards that you made yourself. But, bottom line, it really matters very little how much time or energy or effort you put into them.......they are still a premade, non specific item that is essentially a "giveway", and obviously very meaningful to you, but it's anybody's guess how "meaningful" they will be to the recipient.

Julia

 

[lclark0621]

My My... There are those panties twisting again...

I am always amazed by what puts people panties into a twist on these boards.

 

[safetymom]

I think this topic has been discussed enough. Maybe you should provide a link to your creations on the Disney tips thread for those that want to use them.

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

Thank you safetymom. This thread is making me sick to my stomach. Not in the dis spirit of good times and good fun at all.

 

[G00fyDad]

DD just told me that she wants to make a little homemade gift basket for each night (nothing huge) and leave it along with cash the tip we leave.

 

[bytheblood]

Safetymom, I think perhaps closing this thread would win you a mod of the year award.