Who and How Much to Tip This Holiday Season
As with travel , tipping on holidays can be confusing and stressful. You know what you should tip, but how much and to whom? Will your child’s teacher be offended if you slip him a crispy $ 20? How long does your hairdresser expect? And you owe something to the super who repeatedly ignored your calls and messages?
But in reality it is not that difficult. According to Marketwatch , a good rule of thumb is to tip “anyone who helps make our life easier for us throughout the year,” including:
- Caretakers of apartments, doormen, attendants, garages
- Handymen, Pool Cleaners, Lawn Care Specialists, Garbage Collectors.
- Cleaners
- Postal carriers
- Babysitters, nannies and walkers
- Hairdressers, masseurs, personal trainers
However, you might miss out on professional white collars even if you meet them regularly. Your accountant is not expecting a Christmas bonus. And as Marketwatch writes, a thoughtful gift is more appropriate than a wad of money for someone like your child’s teacher.
Also, note that federal employees like your postman are most likely unable to accept cash. USPS employees, for example, cannot accept cash or checks and can only accept “small gifts that are of little value (travel mugs, hand warmers, etc.) and clearly no more than $ 20,” according to the Emily Post Institute. …
The tip varies. If you visit your hairdresser or massage therapist regularly, you can tip them as usual in one session. For craftsmen or apartment mates, it depends on where you live, how close you are, and what your budget is. For example, a 22-year-old man living in a pedestrian zone should not and should not tip the same as a 50-year-old man at a doorman’s house.
If you’re not sure how much to donate, the Emily Post Institute has a guide to tip during the holidays that has suggestions. You can make a gift, although cash is probably the best option:
- Babysitting : pay until one evening
- Hairdresser: up to the cost of one haircut
- Beauty salon : “Up to the cost of one visit to the salon, divided by each employee who works with you. Give individual cards or a small gift to those who are working on you. “
- Day Care Provider : “A gift from you or $ 25-70 for each staff member who works with your child (s) and a small gift from your child (s).”
- Walking the dogs : pay up to one week
- Doorman : 15-80 dollars. USD 15 or more for multiple doormen
- Handyman: $ 15-40
- Housekeeper : equal to one week’s wages.
- Nursing home staff : A gift that can be shared among staff, such as a fruit basket.
- Personal Care Assistant : Salary from one week to one month
- Personal trainer : up to the cost of one lesson
- Superintendent : $ 20-80
- Garbage collectors : $ 10-30 each (if allowed by your municipality).
Cash is best, and the sooner the better – you don’t have to wait until Christmas Eve to hand over your card to your super. If you cannot afford the above sums, it’s okay – give what you can. After all, it’s the thought that matters.