How much to tip for the holidays

Tis the season to tip! Whether you’ve added new names to your servicing nice list or really want to thank those who’ve seen you through thick and tinsel, there’s always a way to show your gratitude without tipping the scale.

What you’ll learn:

• Why tip for the holidays?
• Who do I tip?
• How much should I tip?
• Can I tip without cash?

Why tip for the holidays?

Think back to all the people who’ve provided you with cheer throughout the year—such as those taking care of your children or pets, upkeeping your home and community spaces, or helping you meet your beauty and wellness goals. Tipping those who make your spirits bright is a great way to show appreciation for their time and services that make your life better and easier.

Keep in mind those who may be left out of the tipping loop this year. According to a recent Bankrate.com survey , “the percentage of people planning to tip their childcare providers has seen the most significant drop, followed by teachers.” Your gift can go a long way, especially for those who may be left off the typical list.

Who do I tip?

Write down everyone whose service positively impacted your year. Then, consider building your roster based on a few criteria: Frequency of visits, length of service, and holistic impact on your life. After this exercise, you should have a better understanding of whom to tip during the holiday season.

How much should I tip?

Remember: It won’t do anyone any good to spread the love (and your wallet!) too much. So, give what you can while staying in budget. Here’s expert-driven, comprehensive list from Care.com of those you may consider tipping:

• Beauty, Wellness and Fitness Services
  • Barber: Up to the cost of 1 session
  • Fitness Instructor: Cost of 1 session or a small gift
  • Hairdresser or Colorist: Up to the cost of 1 session (or a gift if you tip well throughout the year)
  • Personal Trainer: Cost of 1 session
  • Yoga teacher / Instructor: Up to the cost of 1 session or a small gift for a personal teacher; no need to tip a group instructor
• Children’s Education and Activities Services:
  • Daycare or Child Care Center Staff: Gift card worth around $20 or a small gift
  • Kids’ Activities Instructor: Small gift from your kids or gift card
  • Kids’ Coach (Athletics): Small gift from your kids or gift card
  • School Bus Driver: Small, non-cash gift
  • Teacher: $25 gift card and/or small gift from your kids
  • Teacher’s Aide / Assistant: Small gift from your kids
  • Tutor: Cost of 1 session and a small gift from your child, depending on frequency
• Family Services:
  • Au Pair: 1-2 week’s pay and an optional small gift from the kids
  • Babysitter: Average day/evening pay for regular sitters and an optional small gift from kids
  • Mother’s Helper: Average day’s pay for a regular helper and a small gift from your kids
  • Nanny: 1-2 week’s pay (possibly more if the nanny has been with you a long time). For new nannies, one day’s pay for each month of employment
  • Senior Care Aide: Up to 1 week’s pay or a small gift
• Food and Drink Services:
  • Bartender: $20 for someone you see regularly
  • Coffee Shop Barista: $20 for someone you see regularly
  • Food Delivery (Local restaurants, Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.): $20-$30 for someone you see regularly
  • Personal Chef: 1-2 week’s pay or cost of one session, depending on frequency
  • Waiter / Waitress: $20-$40 for someone you see regularly
• Home + Lawn Services:
  • Cleaning Company: An extra 20-80%, depending on duration of relationship
  • Doorman: $25-$100, depending on involvement
  • House Cleaner: $20-Up to the cost of one visit
  • House Keeper: An extra 20-80%, depending on duration of relationship
  • Live-In Help (housekeeper, senior care aide, nanny, chef, etc.): 1-2 week’s pay
  • Mail Carrier: Non-cash gifts under $20
  • Newspaper Carrier: $10-$30
  • Nurse (in-home nurse, private nurse): Small gift and a handwritten note
  • Nursing Home or Assisted Living Community Staff: Homemade gift or gift card
  • Package Delivery Person: Small, non-cash gift
  • Pool Cleaner: $25-$50
  • Postal Worker / Mail Carrier: Food, such as baked goods, or a non-cash gift worth less than $20
  • Snow Remover / Shoveler: $25
• Lifestyle Services:
  • Cobbler: $10-$20 or a small gift for someone you see regularly
  • Country Club Staff: $25-$50 for someone you see regularly
  • Dry Cleaner: $10-$20 gift card or homemade goods
  • Errand Runner: $50 to 1 week’s pay, depending on how often you use
  • Massage Therapist: Up to the cost of 1 session for someone you see regularly
  • Nail Tech / Manicurist: Up to the cost of 1 session o Personal Assistant: Up to 1 week’s pay
  • Tailor: Small gift for someone you see regularly
• Maintenance Services:
  • Building Porter / Janitor: $25-$100, depending on involvement
  • Building Superintendent: $100-$200, depending on involvement
  • Garbage Collector: $20-$30
  • Handyman / Handyperson: $25-$50
• Pet Services
  • Dog Boarder or Kennel Staff: Handmade or baked goods
  • Dog Daycare: 10-20% of your pet’s stay
  • Dog Sitter: $50-$200 in cash or gift card, depending on frequency
  • Dog Walker: $50-$200 in cash or gift card, depending on frequency
  • Pet Daycare Staff: Handmade gift or baked goods
  • Pet Groomer: Up to the cost of 1 session
  • Pet Sitter: $50-$200 in cash or gift card, depending on frequency
• Transportation Services:
  • Driver / Limo Service: $20-$50 or 20% of your monthly bill
  • Gas Station Attendant: $10-$20 for someone you see regularly
  • Parking Garage Attendant: $10-$20 for someone you see regularly
• No Tip Needed
  • Contractor
  • Dentist
  • Doctor
  • Pet Trainer
  • Physical Therapist
  • Veterinarian

Can I tip without cash?

Of course – it’s all in your presentation and, truly, the thought that counts! Remember, even little gifts can bring the biggest cheer to someone’s year.

• A thank you card. Create a personalized, handwritten message to express your gratitude. Cards are a great, budget-friendly way to show appreciation.
• Crowdsource a gift. If you want to gift someone for a service that affects more than just you, you may be able to pool money to make a larger gift and share the overall cost.
• DIY a present. Share your talents – baking, woodworking, clay making, etc. – as another avenue for the ho-ho-holidays.

While tipping during the holidays is appreciated, it isn’t expected for every service listed earlier in this article. If you are having trouble deciding whom to tip, save it for those who you do not tip regularly. A good etiquette rule of thumb, according to The Emily Post Institute, is that for anyone you regularly tip throughout the year, a more modest holiday thank you is enough.