Holiday tip: Be generous to those who serve you
Good news for service workers — holiday tipping is on the rise this year.
Some 87 percent of people say they’ll tip household employees and other service workers, up from 81 percent last year and 70 percent in 2015, according to a survey of 1,200 people by Care.com, an online referral business that matches caregivers with families.
“It’s the time to show your appreciation for the people who make your life easier and more pleasant throughout the year,” said Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick, founder of the Etiquette School of New York. “We all want to give each other gifts, so why wouldn’t we include the people who do work for us?”
Be as generous as you can, especially with workers who get a close-up view of your household, Napier-Fitzpatrick advised. “If you can afford to have these people, you can afford to give them something,” she said.
Doormen are well aware of what the families in their buildings can afford, she noted. “If you live on Park Avenue and have a $20 million apartment, you’re certainly going to give them more, I hope. ”
Napier-Fitzpatrick’s three tips for successful tipping:
• Give early in the holiday season, so workers can use the money to buy gifts for their families
• If you’re giving cash, get crisp bills from a bank and put the money in an envelope with the recipient’s name
• Write a short note thanking the worker for their service
For nannies, experts also recommend giving a small gift, maybe something handmade by the kids, in addition to cash.
Are you giving the right amounts to the people who make your life easier? Care.com recommends the following, based on its survey: Dog walker, hair stylist and personal trainer: Cost of one session. Garage Collector: $20 to $30. Newspaper carrier: $10 to $20. Parking garage attendant: $10 to $20 for someone you see regularly.