Holiday Tipping Is Really Holiday Thanking

he holiday season is traditionally the time Americans choose to thank those who provide them with year-round services. In these tough economic times it’s important to remember that holiday tipping is truly about saying thank you. With a little creativity you can accommodate everyone on your list this year without blowing your budget.

Here are some things to consider when you're deciding how to thank people, who you will spend money on, and how much you will spend:

• Your budget: First and foremost, you shouldn’t feel obligated to go beyond your personal budget.
• If your budget does not allow for tips, consider homemade gifts; and if you’re not good with crafts or in the kitchen, remember that words are always a great way to express your thanks for a year of good service.
• Any gift or tip should always be accompanied by a short handwritten note of appreciation. (Two or three sentences will be enough.)
• Do you already tip regularly? If you tip at the time of service, you may forego an end of the year tip, or give a more modest holiday thank you. You may also choose to give a small gift instead.
• The quality and frequency of the service you receive.
• Your relationship with the service provider.
• Location: Tipping averages tend to be higher in larger cities.
• Length of service: The number of years you’ve been using the service.
• Regional customs.
• Type of establishment: Is it deluxe or moderate?
• When in doubt, ask: Call the front desk and ask what is 1) accepted by the company, and 2) typical for what they see from other customers.
• Common sense, specific circumstances and holiday spirit should always be your guide.
• Don’t buy into the thought that if you don’t tip you won’t get good service for the coming year. If you think you've had bad service for this reason, you might want to consider changing companies.

Holiday Thanking Recommendations

The table below contains our recommendations for holiday thanking, or tipping. These are not rules. Remember that averages and ranges can vary based on the type of establishment, regional customs, and your own budget. You never have to give cash and a gift, except in a few cases, such as when your child may give a gift to a babysitter in addition to your tip or thank-you. We understand that some people aren’t comfortable picking out gifts for those they don’t know well so there are cash amounts listed below, as a suggestion only.

Service Provider	Options	Suggested Amount or Gift
Au pair or live-in nanny	Cash or consider a gift. This person works closely with your family and you probably know them well.	One week’s pay and a gift from your child(ren).
Regular babysitter	Cash	One evening’s pay and a small gift from your child(ren).
Day care provider	Cash or a gift for each staff member who works with your child(ren).	A gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member and a small gift from your child(ren).
Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper)	Cash and a personal gift	One week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.
Private nurse	Gift	A thoughtful gift from you.
Home health employees	Check with agency first about gifts or tipping policies. If there is a no gifts/tipping policy, consider a donation to the agency.	A thoughtful gift from you. (If gift-giving is not against company policy.)
Housekeeper/Cleaner	Cash and/or a gift	Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift.
Nursing home employees	A gift (not cash). Check company policy first.	A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).
Barber	Cash or gift	Cost of one haircut or a gift.
Beauty salon staff	Cash or gift depending on whether you tip well after each service.	The cost of one salon visit  divided for each staff member who works with you. Give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you.
Personal trainer	Cash or gift	Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Massage therapist	Cash or gift	Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Pet groomer	Cash or gift (if the same person grooms your pet all year).	Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Dog walker	Cash or gift	Up to one week’s pay or a gift.
Personal caregiver	Cash or gift	Between one week to one month’s salary or a gift.
Pool cleaner	Cash or gift	The cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.
Garage attendants	Cash or small gift	$10-30 or a small gift
Newspaper delivery person	Cash or small gift	$10-30 or a small gift
Mail carrier	Small gift only	Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s gift regulations.*
Package deliverer	Small gift only, no cash. (Only if you receive regular deliveries.)	Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts.
Superintendent	Cash or gift	$20-80 or a gift
Doorman	Cash or gift	$15-80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.
Elevator operator	Cash or gift	$15-40 each
Handyman	Cash or gift	$15 to $40
Trash/Recycling collectors	Cash or gift (for private) check city regulations if it is a municipal service.	$10-30 each
Yard/Garden worker	Cash or gift	$20-50 each
Teachers	Gift (not cash)	A small gift or note from you as well as a small gift from your child.
*United States Postal Service Gift Regulations: Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service are allowed to accept the following items during the holiday season: Snacks and beverages or perishable gifts that are not part of a meal. Small gifts that have little intrinsic value (travel mugs, hand warmers, etc…) and are clearly no more than $20 in value. Perishable items clearly worth more (large fruit baskets or cookie tins) must be shared with the entire branch. Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service may not accept the following: Cash gifts, checks, gift cards, or any other form of currency.