There is no better time than the end of the year or the holidays to show your appreciation, acknoweldgement and monerary gratitude to those who make your life a bit easier. But in these confusing times, how is one to know what is appropriate to give. Of course, common sense, individual circ*mstance, and of course, good old fashioned holiday cheer and generosity of spirit should be your guide. Here, we give our hard and fast rules for holiday tipping for everyone in your life from doormen and handymen, to hairdressers, nannies, and more.
General Tipping Etiquette
The following factors courtesy of the Emily Post Institute, should always be under consideration when it comes to an end of year tip:
- The quality and frequency of the service you receive.
- Your relationship with the service provider.
- Your location—tipping averages tend to be higher in larger cities.
- The number of years you've been using the service.
- Your budget: You should never feel obligated to go beyond what you can reasonably afford.
- If your budget does not allow for tips, consider homemade gifts or a genuine and heartfelt thank you note.
- Any gift or tip should always be accompanied by a short handwritten note of appreciation.
- 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.
How Much Should You Be Tipping
- Below, a handy guide to holiday tipping using information gleaned from the Emily Post Institute and Sharon Schweitzer, an etiquette expert, author, and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide:
- Full-time domestic help (cook, nanny, personal caregiver, or butler): Aim for between a week to a month's pay, plus a gift.
- Housekeeper: If they come once a week, the equivalent of a day's pay, or $50. If they come daily, the equivalent of a week's pay, and possibly a gift, too.
- Barber/Hairdresser: Up to the cost of one haircut or a gift, with consideration of how well you tip throughout the year.
- Beauty Salon Staff: Up to the cost of one salon visit divided for each staff member who works with you.
- Babysitter: Up to one evening's pay, plus small gift from your children.
- Full-Time Nanny: Up to one full week of pay, plus a gift from your child or children.
- Personal Trainer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
- Newspaper Delivery Person: Between $10 to $30, or give a small gift.
- USPS Policy: Gifts cannot exceed $50 per calendar year. Giving cash, VISA, MasterCard, or gift cards that may be used as cash are prohibited per USPS's Employee Tipping and Gift Receiving Policy.
- UPS Policy: UPS does not have a limit; tipping is left to customer's discretion.
- FedEx Policy: Company policies discourage cash or gift cards. The driver will politely decline the holiday gratuity. If the customer is insistent, the driver may ultimately accept the gift.
- Accountant/CPA
- Attorney
- Auditor
- Banker
- Bookkeeper
- Doctor, Dentist
- Executive Coach
- Members, Board of Directors or Trustees
- Seamstress/ Tailor
- Veterinarian
Teacher: Consider a group gift with parents' pooled funds.
Gardener: A gift or cash ($20-$50 each) is acceptable.
Pool Cleaner: In cash, the equivalent of one session, divided among the crew. Or a gift for each.
Garage Attendant: Between $10 and $40, or a small gift.
Garbage/Recycling: If your city permits, $10 to $30 each for extra holiday effort.
Doorman: Between $50 to $150 each, or a gift, depending on extra duties.
Elevator Operator and Handyman: Between $20 to $50 each.
Building Superintendent: $20 to $80 or a gift.
Pet Groomer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Dog Walker: Up to one week's pay or a gift.
Massage Therapist: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Instead of a Tip, Send a Holiday Card
Contributing Digital Editor
Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, co*cktails, travel, and the social scene.
