Holiday Tipping

When you go out for a meal at a nice eating establishment or get your hair done do you normally leave a tip?? Do you know that many jobs rely on their patrons leaving tips as part of their pay?? Holiday tipping is as important or maybe even more important than tipping at other times of the year. Perhaps it is something that you may want to consider budgeting for. 

Tipping also known as gratuity is an opportunity to show those that serve you appreciation. There is no obligation that they must do anything that they do not normally do for you. Many places around the world do not participate in the act of tipping so tipping is completely up to you. of-course there are those that serve you that are normally not tipped as well. Some jobs such as accountant and your physician may take objection to being tipped. Others simply can not accept tip according to the laws of the government. These jobs include:

• Mail carriers (but they can accept gifts worth less than $20) I must say though that my dad was a rural mail carrier for years and dearly loved all the tasty gifts that were shared with him during the holidays by those that he delivered mail to
• Nursing home workers (something like cookies that can be shared between the staff is better)
• Home health aides (check with the agency to see what their policy is)
• Teachers (a gift is better, and less likely to be construed as a bribe for more gold stars)

Here is a simple guide to know what others have blessed those that served their workers with. The choice of course is yours to tip or not to tip it is simply a suggestion.

regular house cleaner the equivalent of one week’s salary. 

Hairstylist – Tip your hairstylist or manicurist the amount you’d pay for one visit if you’re a salon regular. If you only go a few times a year, doubling your usual tip on services for the holidays is fine.

Newspaper carrier – Tip your newspaper carrier $10 to $30 if you have daily delivery. 

Dog walker – Tip your dog walker the equivalent of one day’s pay. 

Pet groomer – Tip your pet groomer the amount you’d pay for one grooming session. 

Trash collectors – Tip your regular trash and recycling collectors $10 to $30 each. 

Landscaper – If you use a landscaper or gardener regularly, you should tip him one week’s pay. If you use him occasionally, a $10 to $50 tip is fine. 

Handyman- If you have a regular handyman, you should tip him $15 to $40. 

Doorman – If you live in a building with a doorman, you should tip him between $20 and $100. 

Parking attendant – If you have a regular parking attendant, tip him $20 to $30. 

Nanny/Au pair – If you have a nanny or au pair, tip her the equivalent of one to two weeks’ pay. 

Baby sitter – You may choose to tip your babysitter (the equivalent of two night’s pay) or you can opt to give a gift to them instead. 

Day care providers – Cash or a gift for each staff member who works with your children of about $25-$70. 

Teachers – Don’t tip your child’s teacher; buy a present or gift card instead. 

Assistants – Don’t tip your assistant; buy her a gift or give a gift card. 

Private nurses – Don’t tip home health employees or private nurses, who may not be allowed to accept tips. Instead offer a thoughtful gift. 

Mail carrier – Don’t tip your mail carrier – he’s not allowed to accept tips, cash, checks or gift cards. They can only accept small gifts worth no more than $20 such as travel mugs, hand warmers, etc.) They can also accept snacks and beverages or perishable gifts that are not part of a meal.  Perishable items worth more (large fruit baskets or cookie tins) must be shared with the entire branch. 

Nursing home employees – Check company policy first. Don’t give cash. Instead opt for a gift such as flowers or food items, which can be shared by the staff. 

Housekeeper/Cleaner – Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift. 

Personal trainer – Up to the cost of one session or a gift. 

Massage therapist – Up to the cost of one session or a gift. 

Personal caregiver – Between one week to one month’s salary or a gift. 

Pool cleaner – The cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew. 

Building superintendent – $20-80 or a gift. 

Elevator operator – $15-40 each.

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