Tips for the best kind of holiday tipping
Focus on those who help you most, and spend what you can afford; it’s the thought that counts
When it comes to making your list and checking it twice, it can be tough to figure out how best to show your appreciation for the people who keep you looking good, your home running smoothly and your kids and pets cared for year-round.
After some head-scratching, most resort to a tip, but others dole out bottles of wine, plates of cookies and gift cards to their hair stylists, dog walkers, nannies and cleaners, among others.
To help guide your gift-giving, the Star consulted etiquette expert Carey McBeth and a handful of professionals about the most meaningful ways their clients thanked them during the holidays.
They all stressed a gift or tip is never required and you should not feel guilty about not being in a position to give or give more, but if you want to treat someone, here are some ideas. Who should you tip? If you let yourself get carried away, the list of people you’re tipping can get too long, so base who gets something around who you have the closest relationships with, says McBeth. If you book an appointment with your hairstylist every month or rely on a babysitter most weeks, they should make your list. How much should I tip? Hairstylists and estheticians: Tony Pham, who owns Lac + Co. salon, suggests a bottle of champagne, chocolates or a fruit basket the salon can share. If you want to offer a tip, McBeth suggests it be half or up to the cost of one service.
“If you don’t know the person well, but they do their job well, give them a tip.” CAREY MCBETH ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Condo concierges: Between $20 and $100 will suffice for a condo concierge, depending on how much they do for you in a year, says McBeth.
Personal trainers: Lonie Murdock, a personal trainer and sports nutritionist who owns wellness company Eat Train Live, says she gets gift cards for coffee shops, healthy juices or athletic companies. She says she would never accept a tip. She adores cards from clients who say she helped them change their life.
Babysitters: They should receive half to a whole evening’s pay and a small gift or card from the child, says McBeth.
Child’s teacher/daycare: Get your child to practise the penmanship they’ve been perfecting in school with a personal note to affix to a $25 gift card or small gift, says McBeth.
Caregivers and nannies: Live-in help should receive anywhere between one week and one month of pay, along with a personal gift and card. For private nurses, she suggests a gift, but if they’re employed by a company, peek at the policy for what they can accept.
Dog walkers and groomers: Gilleen Witkowski, the owner of Walk My Dog Toronto, says she appreciates anything that keeps her warm on the job or helps relax after, such as boxes of tea, LCBO gift cards or movie passes. A labelled card is essential, she says, because it signifies cash or a gift is for the walker and not just something the owner left out.
Cleaners: Keeping your home spic and span should land your cleaner up to one week’s pay and/or a small gift, says McBeth.
Mail and newspaper carriers: An online Canada Post code of conduct says it allows staff to accept nominal gifts up to $100 in value. How to decide between a tip and a gift?
“If you don’t know the person well, but they do their job well, give them a tip,” she suggests.
What if I don’t have the cash to tip or gift?
If you’re financially strapped, McBeth suggests writing a thoughtful card or baking a batch of cookies.