What is ideal calendar donation for French firefighters and postal workers?

Every year in France, firefighters, postal workers and waste collectors sell calendars to their local community in a bid to raise funds. But how much should you pay for one?

The calendars are sold on a donation basis, which can make it difficult to estimate a good amount. Just like tipping, too little may be seen as insulting, but too much could quickly get expensive.

How much is ideal?

The website Moneyvox estimates that to cover the cost of the calendar alone, a donation of €2-3 (or even €5 sometimes) would be needed. However, this does not include any recognition of the time that the worker has taken to come to your doorstep to sell (which they are only allowed to do in their spare time), nor any appreciation of their year-long service.

This is why a €10 donation is typically seen as a good amount as a minimum.

“At €5 or less, the margin is not enough to justify the trip, often in the evening: it's better to refuse the purchase. Instead, expect to pay at least €10, in cash or cheque,” the website states.

In some cases (e.g. postal workers) calendar donations are taken as a Christmas bonus for the seller, but in the case of firefighters, they are usually donated to the entire fire station or local office, and are sometimes used to fund various projects and social causes. 

Read also: La Poste, fire service: where does money from calendars go in France? 

“As well as raising funds for their associations, these calendars aim to promote the image of firefighters and pass on their values,” explains the Mutuelle nationale des sapeurs-pompiers on its website.

Calendar scam alert

However, people are warned to be alert to calendar scams, and be aware of the rules on who can and cannot sell the calendars, and when.

Read also: Firefighters, postal workers, rubbish collectors: Alert on calendar scams in France

Firefighters must have authorisation from the prefecture to sell the calendars. They must wear their uniforms and show their association card to prove their membership when selling and provide you with a receipt for any money they raise. 

Other professions - such as waste collectors - may be permitted to sell their own calendars, but only if they have permission from the local mairie. For example, in Paris, waste collectors working for the city are strictly forbidden from selling calendars. 

Similarly, neither the national police nor gendarmerie will ever try to sell you a calendar, states the Préfecture de Police on its website.

There is never a set amount requested for a calendar and no legitimate seller should ever try to bully you into paying more than you feel comfortable to donate.