You would think I would know by now but every year I have the same conversation with friends about how much to tip so I went to Emily Post for the answer. Here is a link to the post Holiday Tipping is Really Holiday Thanking – No one can say it better than Emily Post so I defer to her excellent judgment.From the website of Emily Post, Holiday Tipping Is Really Holiday Thanking – Please continue to the site for even more great advice.
Holiday Thanking Recommendations
The table below contains our recommendations for holiday thanking, or tipping. These are not rules. Remember that averages and ranges can vary based on the type of establishment, regional customs, and your own budget. You never have to give cash and a gift, except in a few cases, such as when your child may give a gift to a babysitter in addition to your tip or thank-you. We understand that some people aren’t comfortable picking out gifts for those they don’t know well so there are cash amounts listed below, as a suggestion only.
| Service Provider | Options | Suggested Amount or Gift |
| Au pair or live-in nanny | Cash or consider a gift. This person works closely with your family and you probably know them well. | One week’s pay and a gift from your child(ren). |
| Regular babysitter | Cash | One evening’s pay and a small gift from your child(ren). |
| Day care provider | Cash or a gift for each staff member who works with your child(ren). | A gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member and a small gift from your child(ren). |
| Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper) | Cash and a personal gift | One week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you. |
| Private nurse | Gift | A thoughtful gift from you. |
| Home health employees | Check with agency first about gifts or tipping policies. If there is a no gifts/tipping policy, consider a donation to the agency. | A thoughtful gift from you. (If gift-giving is not against company policy.) |
| Housekeeper/Cleaner | Cash and/or a gift | Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift. |
| Nursing home employees | A gift (not cash). Check company policy first. | A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items). |
| Barber | Cash or gift | Cost of one haircut or a gift. |
| Beauty salon staff | Cash or gift depending on whether you tip well after each service. | The cost of one salon visit divided for each staff member who works with you. Give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you. |
| Personal trainer | Cash or gift | Up to the cost of one session or a gift. |
| Massage therapist | Cash or gift | Up to the cost of one session or a gift. |
| Pet groomer | Cash or gift (if the same person grooms your pet all year). | Up to the cost of one session or a gift. |
| Dog walker | Cash or gift | Up to one week’s pay or a gift. |
| Personal caregiver | Cash or gift | Between one week to one month’s salary or a gift. |
| Pool cleaner | Cash or gift | The cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew. |
| Garage attendants | Cash or small gift | $10-30 or a small gift |
| Newspaper delivery person | Cash or small gift | $10-30 or a small gift |
| Mail carrier | Small gift only | Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s gift regulations.* |
| Package deliverer | Small gift only, no cash. (Only if you receive regular deliveries.) | Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts. |
| Superintendent | Cash or gift | $20-80 or a gift |
| Doorman | Cash or gift | $15-80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift. |
| Elevator operator | Cash or gift | $15-40 each |
| Handyman | Cash or gift | $15 to $40 |
| Trash/Recycling collectors | Cash or gift (for private) check city regulations if it is a municipal service. | $10-30 each |
| Yard/Garden worker | Cash or gift | $20-50 each |
| Teachers | Gift (not cash) | A small gift or note from you as well as a small gift from your child. |
*United States Postal Service Gift Regulations:Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service are allowed to accept the following items during the holiday season:
Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service may not accept the following:
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Also from findalink.net :
Gifts for USPS Mail Carriers
For further information, please contact the U.S. Postal Service® Law Department’s Ethics Helpline at 202-268-6346, or send an email message to ethics.help@usps.gov .
20 comments on “How to say Thanks at the Holidays from Emily Post – Day 8”
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This is so helpful and it’s nice to have a formula and stick to it every year. Makes things so nicely organized! I will have to save this info because clearly I am not doing it right!
How wonderful to have a guide to go by – I to am definitely not doing it right either! Thanks! I am loving your Blog! Debbie B.
http://johnanddebinlove.blogspot.com/
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
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