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:
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- Gifts for Kids to Receive in the Mail All Year Round
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