Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
How to Follow Proper Holiday Tipping Etiquette. 'Tis the season to be … tipping everyone.
Use these guidelines to figure out who you need to give to, and how much. You will need
General tipping guidelines and your own judgment. Step 1. When making a list of who to thank
at holiday time – and how much – ask yourself a few questions: Do you tip this person all
year? In that case, the gratuity needn't be extravagant. How long have you been receiving
this person's service? What is the quality of that service? Step 2. Give people you employ
year-round, like a nanny or a house cleaner, one week's pay and a gift. Give those that
you pay per service, like a hairstylist or fitness trainer, the equivalent of one visit
or session. If you have a regular babysitter, give them one evening's pay. You should always
include a short handwritten note with any gift or tip. Two or three sentences are plenty.
Step 3. If you live in an apartment complex, give the superintendent $20 to $80. The amount
depends on where you live – big-city dwellers usually pay more – and how upscale the property.
Doormen get $15 to $80 each; elevator operators, $15 to $40 each; garage attendants, $10 to
$30 each. Step 4. Give your child's teacher a small gift. Better yet, get a group of parents
to pool their resources so you can buy one substantial gift. Give the school bus driver
$15. Step 5. Don't forget delivery workers. Offer mail carriers, who cannot accept money,
baked goods or a small gift. The newspaper delivery person may accept cash; give them
$10 to $20. Did you know Though mail carriers are not allowed to accept cash, a survey found
that the average American slips them 20 bucks.