Who to Tip, What to Tip, and How to Tip

The holiday season is the traditional time of year when we express gratitude towards those who help to make our lives easier and more enjoyable throughout the year, including all the people who make us, our homes, and our pets look and feel their best.

Due to the higher cost of goods and services this year, many people may struggle to afford gifts on their holiday list. Many are unsure how much to give as a monetary gift and what’s generally accepted. They don’t want to appear unappreciative by not giving enough or as much as other people do. Following are guidelines for your holiday gift-giving to help you avoid the anxiety that comes from not knowing what is expected of you.  If you are unable to follow the monetary guidelines, it is still important to show your appreciation. You can express your gratitude by giving a small gift, homemade baked goods or writing a warm, personal thank-you note.

To begin, I suggest creating a budget for your holiday tipping list of all the people who help you throughout the year. Once you have a budget, you can prioritize your list based on certain parameters and then allocate the amount of monetary gift you would like to give to each person on your list. This will help you manage your finances better and ensure that you are giving out fair and appropriate tips to each service provider.

Prioritize your list:

• Importance of their service to you

• The quality of their service.

• The frequency of their service.

• The length of time you have used their service.

• Regional tipping/gifting guidelines

• The amount of the gift you gave last year.

Gracious giving tips:

• Use crisp bills to tip with.  If you plan to give a significant amount, it is acceptable to write a check.

• Put the monetary gift in a labeled envelope.

• Add a brief personal message expressing gratitude for their support throughout the year.

• If possible, hand each person a gift with a handshake and a holiday greeting.

• Try to give cash gifts early in December so that recipients can use the money to buy their holiday gifts.

                         Holiday Tipping Guidelines for 2023

Personal Care and Wellness Providers

• Hairstylist/Colorist: Cost of one session.

• Barber: Cost of one session.

• Manicurist: $25 to $50 or gift.

• Personal trainer: Up to the cost of one session and a gift.

• Massage therapist: Up to the cost of one session.

• Childcare, Home, and Eldercare, and Petcare Providers 

• Housekeeper: Up to the cost of one visit or one- or two weeks’ pay, full-time

• Au-pair or live-in nanny: One or two weeks’ pay and a gift from your child.

• Babysitter: An evening’s pay and a gift from your child.

• Home Health Aide or In-Home Caregiver: One week’s pay or $25 to $100 depending upon frequency of care.

• Personal assistant: Small gift and a holiday bonus based on performance.

• Dog walker: Up to one week’s pay or a gift

• Pet Groomer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift

  Home Maintenance Providers

• Pool cleaner: Cost of one session

• Trash collector (house): $20 to $30

• Gardener: $20 to $50 or a gift card or cost or cost of one week’s service

• Sanitation worker: $15 to $30 per worker if the same team regularly services your home.

  School Personnel

• Teacher: A gift card or gift certificate for up to $25, or pitch in with some of the other parents and buy a more expensive gift certificate

• Coaches, Tutors, Music Teachers: A small gift from your child

• Day care providers: $25 to $75 each, plus a small gift from your child.

• Apartment Building Staff

• Superintendent/Resident Manager: $150 to $300

• Doorman/Concierge: $75 to $100

• Handyman/Porter:  $25 to $50

• Parking garage attendant: $25 to $75 each: or ½ month’s rent divided among the attendants.

   Delivery Service Providers

• Mail carrier: Small gift or gift card up to $20: gifts of cash are not permitted.

• FedEx: Can accept gifts valued at $75 or less; gifts of cash are not permitted.

• UPS: Advised to politely decline; but no firm policy about not accepting.

  cash gifts

• Newspaper carrier: $10 to $30

• Food delivery person (if the same person comes often): $25 to $50

Gift ideas for mail carrier or FedEx:

• A gift card to a restaurant that serves hot meals and cold drinks.

• A Starbucks gift card and a cheerful travel mug.

• A warm scarf is a perfect gift for this time of year.

• A mini valet to stylishly stow away keys.

• Luxurious hand cream with a holiday candle or a warm pair of gloves. (An eco-friendly water bottle.

• A warm hat.

• An insulated thermos.

• A winter first aid kit with a specialty face cream, lip protection, throat lozenges, packets of cocoa, and a variety of energy bars.

Professionals who should not be given a monetary gift include:

• Accountant/CPA

• Attorney

• Auditor

• Banker

• Bookkeeper

• Doctor, Dentist

• Executive Coach

• Members, Board of Directors or Trustees

• Seamstress/Tailor

• Veterinarian

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick

Updated December 2024