How to Give Holiday Tips

Holiday tips are fairly common in the U.S. People tip their babysitter, doorman, the cleaning folks and more a little extra during the holidays or give gifts instead of tips. However, who you tip or gift and how much depends on the person and the service they provide.  For example, a favorite teacher may do a great job, but you’re not going to tip him. It’s more likely you’ll get him a little gift. On the other hand you’d love your cleaning person to keep on doing an amazing job, so yes tip more because while a teacher won’t expect cash, a cleaning person surely will, and they deserve it if they’re doing a great job.

Here’s how to tip… BY THE WAY these are general guidelines. You can also try alternative tips, like baking up cookies, giving movie tickets, and so on.

Babysitters - if you have a totally loyal, always available babysitter and your kids LOVE her, I’d tip her. If she’s really good, give her a tip of a full evenings pay. If she’s a rock star give her a little more – it’s hard to find a great sitter.  Also, it’s nice if your child makes her a card.

Teachers - favorite teachers should get a little gift from your child, if school policy allows. A nice card made by your child for sure, and then maybe something relaxing like a nice soy candle or some gourmet hot chocolate. The same goes for day care providers. I’ve heard of people tipping their day care providers with cash, which is a possibility IF you have at home day care (in your home or in their home) but not if it’s at a center. For day care providers and out-of-home nannies about $70-$150 is nice plus a gift made by your tot.

Nanny – if your nanny lives with you, an actual gift is proper – and maybe two. One from you and one from your child. A decent way to handle holiday tips is to pay your nanny, even if you go on vacation without her. She’s not making any money while you’re gone, so at least 50% is a nice gesture. The figures for basic holidays tips vary. From what I’ve read it’s anywhere from 2 weeks pay all the way down to little token gifts only. I’d choose a happy medium if you want your good nanny to stay happy, and stay on.

Cleaning person – an excellent, trustworthy cleaning person is worth a decent tip – especially if he or she is not working for a company who provides health care or other benefits. One weeks pay is a must. Like babysitters, it can be hard to find a good cleaning person you trust and get along with.

Newspaper carrier – if your carrier is trouble free, and your newspaper is always on time and dry, give a small tip of $10-$20.

Everyone else – i.e. trusted hairdresser, mail carrier, your daughter’s ballet teacher, and so on should get a nice little token gift like movie tickets, a nice small basket of treats, etc. Some people I know give cash tips to the above, but I think that’s overkill. PLUS you should know that mail carriers and other civil servants are not allowed to accept cash from the people they serve. That’s why a small gift is not only best, but the safest bet too.

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