Holiday Tipping & Gift Guide For Kids, Home, Pets & Senior Care

Tipping during the holiday season is a way to showing appreciation and thanking those who take care of our children, our homes, services we frequently utilize and for those around us. Saying thank you will make those individuals in your life feel appreciated and your thoughtfulness will not go unnoticed during the holiday season and all year long.

 

Tipping is completely up to your discretion but here is a guideline on appropriate tipping to get you started. Don’t feel that you need to tip everyone you see on this list, those that you come in contact with regularly should be at the top of the list.

 

If you cannot afford to tip everyone that you’d like to, that’s OK too, however, you should still but make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them. Alternative and cost-friendly ways to thank those individuals may include homemade cards, gifts, a handwritten and well-thought out noted and baked goods.

 

One important rule of tipping – whether it’s a teacher or your trash collector, make sure you don’t just hand out cash if you are tipping with money; include it in a card with an envelope and present it in a discretionary way.

 

While most tips are given during the holidays in December, try to plan ahead and get tips out the door in early December if you can. Those that provide services to you, your home, pets or seniors in your life would love to be appreciated all month long.

 

 

CHILD RELATED

BABYSITTER(s) 

• One evening/day’s worth of pay and a small gift (homemade is great!) from your kids
• Alternative: A gift card equal to one evening’s worth of pay or small gift

MOTHER’S HELPER 

• One day’s worth of pay and a small gift (homemade is great!) from your kids
• Alternative: A gift card equal to one day’s worth of pay or small gift

NANNY

• One to two weeks’ worth of pay and a gift from your kids
• Alternative: Several days worth of pay, a gift certificate and additional paid days off during the year

AU PAIR 

• One to two weeks’ worth of pay and a gift from your kids
• Alternative: Several days worth of pay, a gift certificate and additional paid days off during the year

DAYCARE/PRESCHOOL TEACHERS

• $25 – $50 per teacher and a gift from your child
• Alternative: a gift card, restaurant gift certificate or nice gift if you know the teacher very well, that is equal to $20-$40, per teacher

SCHOOL TEACHERS 

• A small gift – homemade is great – from each child to their teacher
• Alternative: Handwritten and thoughtful note/card from your child

TEACHER’S AID 

• A small gift – homemade is great – from each child
• Alternative: Handwritten and thoughtful note/card from

PHYSICAL / SPEECH THERAPIST 

• A small gift – homemade is great – from your family
• Alternative: Homemade item or bakery items

TUTOR(s)

• Cost of one session in cash and a gift from your child
• Alternative: A gift card equal to the value of one session

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER 

• $10 – $20 depending on how many children ride the bus
• Alternative: A gift card equal to the value

COACH

• A holiday card and small gift from your child
• Alternative: A small gift card (Starbucks, etc.)

  

HOME RELATED

TRASH COLLECTORS 

• $10 – $30*
  *Check city regulations if it’s a municipal service. A check may be more appropriate versus cash.

POSTAL DELIVERY 

• Cannot accept cash gifts or gift cards of monetary value. A small gift, food, perishable items less than $20 in value such as hand warmers, gloves, coffee mug, snacks.

PACKAGE DELIVERY (FEDEX, UPS, ETC.) 

• Most delivery companies prohibit or discourage cash gifts. A small gift is usually appropriate.
• FedEx – non-cash gifts only. They cannot accept cash and gifts worth less than $75.00 value
• UPS – suggests small gifts, not cash although they don’t have an official policy

HOME CLEANING COMPANY 

• If you use the company and same person regularly, then you may tip equivalent to one session in the form of cash or gift card, or simply gift a small gift

NEWSPAPER DELIVERY CARRIER

• $10 – $30 or a small gift

DOOR MAN

• $20 – $100 depending upon your relationship with the doorman

ELEVATOR OPERATOR 

• $20 – $40 (be sure to check with your building / HOA to see if there is a tipping pool you can contribute to)

FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE

• If you use a food delivery service weekly or more regularly, appropriate tipping is $10 – $40 range

POOL CLEANER 

• Cost of one time of service

SNOW REMOVAL / SNOW SHOVELING 

• Cost of one time of service

GARAGE ATTENDANTS 

• $10 – $25 each or small gift

 

PET RELATED

DOG WALKER 

• Cost of one walking session however if you use them more regularly (4-6 times per week), one week’s worth of service

ANIMAL TRAINER

• If you regularly use an animal trainer, the equivalent to one session is appropriate to tip

DOG BOARDING STAFF 

• If you board your animal(s) frequently, $10 – $20 for each staff member or one group gift such as a lunch delivery or dinner delivery is a nice alternative

PET SITTER

• Tipping is equivalent to one session or overnight fee

DOGGIE DAYCARE 

• $20 – $40 for each staff member or one group gift such as a lunch delivery or dinner delivery is a nice alternative

 

 

SENIOR CARE RELATED

PRIVATE NURSE(in-home / private care)

• $20 – $100, depending on frequency of services, relationship, and involvement*
• *Be sure to check with the agency first on their tipping/gift policies.

NURSING HOME / ASSISTED LIVING STAFF

• $10 – $25 for each staff member that’s involved in the care process*
• *Be sure to check with the agency first on their tipping/gift policies.
• Sometimes cash gifts are not permitted, something that be shared by a group of employees such as a fruit basket, lunch delivery, or bakery items are nice to give.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST 

• No tip necessary, a holiday card is nice

SENIOR CARE AIDE

• $20 – $100, depending on frequency of services and relationship

 

Check Out All of Our Gift Guides:

• Ultimate Guide: 200+ Practical Non Toy Gifts for Kids That Aren’t Junk
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• Best Gifts for Kids Who Love Arts and Crafts
• Best Outdoor Toys for Kids to Promote Active Play & Healthy Habits
• 40+ Unique Stocking Stuffers for Baby – Toddler (Ages 0 – 3)
• Non-Toy Gifts for Giving Children Experiences Not Things
• Gifts for Kids to Receive in the Mail All Year Round

More Christmas Resources:

• Over 285 Easy & Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas, Activities & Printables
• Free Kid’s 2-Page Printable Christmas Scavenger Hunt
• Elf on the Shelf Printable Notes
• 30 Last-Minute & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Busy Parents
• 12 Hilarious Minute To Win It Christmas Games for Kids
• 21 Best Christmas Games Perfect for Preschoolers
• 24 Cute & Healthy Christmas Snacks for Kids
• 26 Unique Family Traditions to Make the Holidays Magical for Kids & Adults
• 10 Beautiful Homemade Christmas Gifts for Kids to Make
• Non-Toy Ideas: Gifts Kids Will Cherish All Year Long
• Gifting Experiences: Non-Toy Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Love