Who and how much to Tip during the Holiday Season
It is customary during the Holiday Season to tip certain people that have provided exceptional service to you over the course of the year. There are questions raised as to actually who should be tipped during the Holidays, as well as how much each person should be tipped. There is no set matrix or spread sheet with all of the answers. Much of this tradition is customary and can vary with each person as far as who they tip and how much.
It is important to understand that this article is not addressing common tipping (i.e. restaurants, cab drivers, etc.) This article addresses the tipping of those that have provided a consistent and meaningful service to you over the course of the year. In this instance, this person would qualify for what can be considered an annual tip.
Kiplingerprovided a guideline by which the basic service provider, at least in a generic sense, would benefit from an annual tip.
The following list is not an exhaustive one and the amounts mentioned are simply suggestions. Ultimately you will make the final decision of what you will tip.
Baby Sitter: You can tip your baby sitter one to two nights pay, unless you are dealing with your nanny, in which case you should tip 1-2 weeks’ pay, and give a gift from your child.
Cleaning Person: You should tip your cleaning person the cost of one visit to your house if you are functioning through a weekly or biweekly agreement.
Dog Walker: You can tip your Dog Walker the equivalent of one week’s pay or give a gift in lieu of cash.
Hair Stylist: It is customary to give your hair stylist a tip equaled to the cost of one visit for their annual tip.
Letter Carriers: As a general rule The US Postal Service does not allow letter carriers to accept monetary gifts, so you will have to give your mail carrier a gift in lieu of cash.
NewsPaper Delivery Person: You should tip your newspaper delivery person $10-$20, with the exception being that you have tipped them throughout the year, in which case you could tip them somewhat less than what is suggested here.
Nursing Home Worker: When you have a nursing home worker that has taken good care of you or your loved one, you definitely want to show them some appreciation. The appropriate way to do that would be to offer them a personal gift or fresh home baked goods.
For a more exhaustive list you can visit the official site ofKiplinger.
