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The holidays can be an expensive time of year. But it’s also the time of year to thank you to the people who provide a valuable service to you and your family year round. So that’s why this holiday tipping guide will come in handy if you’re not sure who to tip and how much to give.
THE HOLIDAY TIPPING GUIDE
I’ve always been a bit overwhelmed by the list of people the etiquette folks claim should receive a holiday tip. I mean if we included all these people, the budget would bust.
One of the ways around that dilemma is only to tip the service providers you don’t tip the rest of the year. For example, if you’re tipping your hairdresser at each visit, you could skip a holiday tip.
But figuring out who to tip can feel overwhelming.
If you’re like me, you probably can’t afford to tip each of them, so prioritize the ones who are most important in your life. Start with them and see how far your budget takes you.
If you read A Sneak Peak Into My Holiday Budget, you see that I only tip the people who care for my mother. They are the priority for me as they are crucial to the care of my mom, but are also vital to my sanity.
Tip as early in the holiday season as possible. If at all possible, make sure it’s done before Christmas. After the holiday is over or at the start of the new year gives the impression the tip was an afterthought.
Service Provider Holiday Tipping Recommendations
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- Au Pair or Live-In Nanny – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week’s pay and a gift from your child(ren).
- Regular Babysitter – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one evening’s pay and a small gift from your child(ren).
- Day care provider – 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) – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.
- Private Nurse – Suggested Amount or Gift: A thoughtful gift from you.
- Home Health Employees – Check company policy first regarding tipping and gifts.
- House Cleaner – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the amount of one week’s pay and a small gift.
- Nursing Home Employees – Check company policy first. Suggested Amount or Gift: A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).
- Barber – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one haircut or a gift.
- Beauty Salon Staff – 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 to those who work for you.
- Personal Trainer – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
- Massage Therapist – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
- Pet Groomer – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
- Dog Walker – Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week’s pay or a gift.
- Personal caregiver – Suggested Amount of Gift: Up to one week to one month’s salary or a gift.
- Pool Cleaner – Suggested Amount or Gift: The cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.
- Newspaper Delivery Person – Suggested Amount or Gift: $10-30 or a small gift.
- Package deliverer – Suggested Amount or Gift: a Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts.
- Superintendent – Suggested Amount or Gift: $20-80 or a gift
- Doorman – Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.
- Elevator Operator – Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-40 each
- Handyman – Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-40
- Trash/Recycling Collectors – Suggested Amount or Gift: $10-30 each
- Yard Worker – Suggested Amount or Gift: $20-50 each
- Mail Carrier – Suggested Amount or Gift: Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s 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.
Can’t afford to tip at all? Read: How To Give Generously When You Don’t Have A Nickel To Spare
I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.
