The people we forget to thank at Christmas: The Christmas people checklist

• The neighbour who takes in your parcels. December is their busy season too. A card and a box of biscuits covers it.
• The neighbour who keeps an eye on your house when you're away. Feeding the cat, watering the plants, moving the post off the mat. Flowers or a bottle of something they drink is a fair swap.
• Whoever puts your bins out when you forget. A card through the door is enough.

• Your kid's teacher. A card is the standard. Get your child to write it.
• The teaching assistant. They work with your child every day, so include them.
• The school office staff. They handle the forms, the late notes, and the lost jumpers. One card for the office.
• The lollipop person. Out every morning and afternoon, whatever the weather. A card will do.
• The football coach, dance teacher, or Brownie leader. Most of them give up their evenings and weekends for it.

• The colleague who helped you out. Fixed your spreadsheet, took a call for you, covered a shift. Tell them you noticed.
• The office cleaner. They're in before you and gone after you, so they're easy to forget. A card and some chocolates.
• The IT person. Count how many times you asked them for help this year.
• Reception and security. They know your name. Make sure you know theirs.

• Your postie and delivery drivers. December is their busiest month. A tin of chocolates with a note, left where they'll see it.
• The bin collectors. A card taped to the lid is a decent way to say thanks.
• Your hairdresser or barber. A card on your last visit before Christmas.
• The café staff who have your order ready before you reach the counter. Give them a tip and say thanks.

• The dog walker. A card and a treat for them, not just the dog.
• Your cleaner or childminder. A card, and a tip if you can manage it.
• Carers for an older relative. A card signed by the whole family and a box of chocolates for the team.

Keep it simple. It's a thank-you, not a present.

• A card. Write something specific, like "Thanks for taking in all my parcels this year." Two lines is plenty.
• Flowers. A small festive bouquet on a doorstep or a desk. You could also pair the flowers with chocolates or a vase.
• Chocolates or biscuits. A tin works for anyone in a team, like school staff or bin crews, so everyone gets some.
• Something homemade. Mince pies, fudge, or a batch of brownies.
• Saying it. Knock on the door or stop by their desk and say thanks. Costs nothing.

If you're thanking a lot of people, set a budget first. A pack of cards and a few tins of chocolates will cover most of this list.

A thank-you in January is a bit late, unless you're legitimately not going to see the person until then. Some pointers:

• Teachers and school staff: the last week of term, before the holidays.
• Colleagues: before everyone finishes for the break.
• Bin collectors and posties: early to mid-December, before rounds change over the holidays.
• Neighbours: any time in the run-up, or a knock on the door on Christmas Eve.
• Dog walkers, cleaners, and childminders: your last booking before Christmas.

Most people on this list won't ask for anything, which is why they get missed. A card and five minutes of your time sorts it.

If you can't get round to them in person, send flowers with a greeting note. Euroflorist's same-day flowers arrive on the day you order them, or the next day if you order after the cut-off point. For once, your neighbour can take in a parcel that's meant for them.

Additional reading: Find more Christmas gifting tips at our Christmas ideas hub.