Plan your holiday tipping strategy
Tipping is not a uniquely American practice, but we tip more often and in larger amounts than just about any other country.
Holiday tipping is a bit different. It’s a way to thank the people who work in your home during the year, says Lizzie Post, great-great granddaughter of Emily Post and author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette, the Centennial Edition.” The list includes house cleaners, babysitters, carpenters and landscapers, she says, but there are many others as well.
A cash gift is typically the best way to give a holiday tip, but it’s not always allowed. Postal workers aren’t permitted to accept cash, and it’s not a good idea to give cash to your child’s teacher. Mail carriers are allowed to accept gifts that are worth no more than $20, such as travel mugs or hand warmers. And consider asking the teacher to suggest a helpful year-end gift instead. Classroom supplies, for example, could make a good gift, because many teachers pay for them out of pocket.
How much to give? Think about all of your regular service providers when allocating funds for holiday tipping. And with inflation at record levels, consider tipping a little extra to give a proper thank you.
For a newspaper delivery person, grocery delivery person, or trash and recycling collector, set aside a tip of $10 to $30. For a dog walker, a child-care provider or a personal caregiver, you’ll want to tip at least a week’s pay. To show appreciation for other personal-service providers, such as dog groomers, hairstylists or a regular manicurist, tip up to the cost of one appointment.
A holiday tip equal to the cost of one session is also suitable for a personal trainer or a regular personal massage therapist, if you have one. To tip a nursing home worker, check the company’s policy. If the facility offers round-the-clock care, be sure to cover every shift.
For service providers who often work in groups, such as landscapers, gardeners, carpenters or cleaning people, a tip of $20 to $50 per person would be appropriate around the holidays.