How to Deal With Holiday Tips When Money Is Tight
You can securely tip your dog, hairdresser or nanny for their time and services. But do you remember giving the same people a tip or gift at the end of the year? It turns out that we may not be all as diligent about handing out holiday tips or gifts to service providers as we might expect.
A recent survey by Creditcards.com found that 60% of adults never tip their postman at the end of the year. Seventy percent never knock over a trash or a garbage collector, and 47% of people whose children have a caregiver or teacher do not give gifts to these professionals. It has been found that millennials are more likely than their older counterparts to tip these service providers at least occasionally. A total of 2,569 American adults were interviewed.
Despite these results, vacation tips are still the norm – or at least they should be, ”said Patricia Rossi , author of Everyday Etiquette: How to Find Your Way 101 Common and Unusual Social Situations. “We thank the people who make our life easier throughout the year,” she said. “I don’t think [these professionals] expect this, but it improves their workday and might even make them a week or Christmas.”
But what if you are short on cash? Vacation season can be particularly tough financially, even before you start listing service providers that you should probably tip. In one embarrassing example from my youth, I avoided a haircut in December because I knew I needed to tip extra, even if I only saw the stylist two or three times a year. If I didn’t feel ready to give an additional hint for the holiday, I would avoid communication altogether.
Sure, avoiding the situation works , but if the money is tight, there is a better way, Rossi said.
Just refer to the written word. Even a three-line note on a Christmas card can convey your gratitude to this professional, she says. “You don’t need to explain that money is not enough,” she said. Just express your gratitude sincerely.
“We weren’t thanked anymore,” she said. “Written thank you notes are so rare. If you don’t have anything, just say thanks. ” If you still want to give something tangible, Rossi recommended baking a batch of your favorite cookies and stacking a few for each person you would like to acknowledge. A small ribbon on the bag will make it look more dressy.
For a rundown of what holiday tips you can expect, check out our list . (Remember, the postal carrier cannot accept cash gifts, and you shouldn’t give teachers cash right away, either.) And if you’re faced with an unfamiliar tipping point at any time of the year, we’ve got even more guidance to help you.