The holiday season is traditionally the time Americans choose to thank those who provide them with year-round services. 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, whom 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 circ*mstances 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 or speak directly with a manager.
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. (Read more on the difference between a holiday tip and a holiday gift.) 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 & Suggested Gift or Tip
Au pair or live-in nanny
Options: Cash or consider a gift. This person works closely with your family and you probably know them well.
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week’s pay and a gift from your child(ren).
Regular babysitter
Options: Cash
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one evening’s pay and a small gift from your child(ren).
Day care provider
Options: Cash or a gift for each staff member who works with your child(ren).
Suggested Amount or Gift: A gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member who works with your child(ren) and a small gift from your child(ren).
Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper)
Options: Cash and a personal gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.
Private nurse
Options: Gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: A thoughtful gift from you.
Home health employees
Options: Check with agency first about gifts or tipping policies. If there is a no gifts/tipping policy, consider a donation to the agency.
Suggested Amount or Gift: A thoughtful gift from you. (If gift-giving is not against company policy.)
Housekeeper/Cleaner
Options: Cash and/or a gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift.
Nursing home employees
Options: A gift (not cash). Check company policy first.
Suggested Amount or Gift: A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).
Barber
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one haircut or a gift.
Beauty salon staff
Options: Cash or gift depending on whether you tip well after each service.
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to 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
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Massage therapist
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Pet groomer
Options: Cash or gift (if the same person grooms your pet all year).
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Dog walker
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week’s pay or a gift.
Personal caregiver
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week to one month’s salary or a gift.
Pool cleaner
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.
Garage attendants
Options: Cash or small gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $10-30 or a small gift
Newspaper delivery person
Options: Cash or small gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $10-30 or a small gift
Mail carrier
Options: Small gift only
Suggested Amount or Gift: Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s gift regulations.*
Package deliverer
Options: Small gift only, no cash. (Only if you receive regular deliveries.)
Suggested Amount or Gift: Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts.
Superintendent
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $20-80 or a gift
Doorman
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.
Elevator operator
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-40 each
Handyman
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-40
Trash/Recycling collectors
Options: Cash or gift (for private) check city regulations if it is a municipal service.
Suggested Amount or Gift: $10-30 each
Yard/Garden worker
Options: Cash or gift
Suggested Amount or Gift: $20-50 each
*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.
Read our complete guide for tipping etiquette.
