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Trees are being bought, lights are being hung, and the voices of Johnny Mathis and Alvin and the Chipmunks are extolling peace and
generosity.
It is a moment when we mull over whom to tip, what to give and whom to stiff.
If you depend on the services of such people as day care workers, baby sitters, dog walkers, manicurists, parking attendants,
personal trainers or limo drivers, they'd all appreciate a special "thank you" this time of year.
There are no hard-and-fast rules to follow regarding holiday tipping, but a little hard currency is a universally appreciated gift.
How much you give is largely a product of what you can afford and the quality of the service you receive, but here are some guidelines:
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| Tipping guidelines |
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Delivery people:
$10 to $20 for the person who delivers your newspaper or your laundry, depending on whether you get daily or weekend-only service.
Ditto with the garbage man if you are so inclined.
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Personal services:
$25 for those individuals who keep you looking your personal best: the hairdresser, barber or manicurist.
The proper holiday tip is equal to the cost of one visit if you go frequently and $20 to $25 if you only go occasionally.
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Garage attendant:
$25 to a parking attendant and $50 for whoever runs the garage you normally use.
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Doorman:
$25 to $100 apiece for a doorman, building superintendents, condo association or homeowners association managers.
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Weekly employees:
One day's pay for someone who works for you once a week, such as a cleaning person. For someone who works for
you five days a week, such as a nanny, one week's salary is standard, although some people believe in giving two.
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Day care worker:
You could give your child's primary day care worker a gratuity of $10 to $20 or a small gift.
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Postal carrier:
When it comes to the mail carrier, federal law prohibits U.S. Postal Service employees from accepting cash or gifts worth more than $20.
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Baby sitters:
At least one day's earnings.
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Wait staff:
$50 for the wait staff at a restaurant or bar you frequent often.
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Other people you may want to think about tipping could be your:
- Pet groomer.
- The person who washes or details your car.
- The lawn-service personnel.
- Your pest-control service person.
A rule of thumb on all of these is simple: The cost of one visit or treatment is usually suitable.
Of course, gratuities are intended to express thanks for services provided beyond the call of duty. So don't feel pressured to
provide a tip or gift if you're unhappy with the service you're getting or if you're just broke.
A thoughtfully worded card also can convey a jolly holiday message. But remember, if during the holidays you treat people who give you
good service, they will be very loyal to you from then on.
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| Holiday tipping poll |
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