The holidays are a great time to show gratitude to those who make your life a little easier, and usually this gratitude is shown in the form of cash.
A recent survey found that more Americans are planning to tip during this holiday season, though the amount of the tips will likely remain the same as last year.
“Holiday tips are a nice way to show your appreciation for hardworking people who have helped you throughout the year,” says Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman.
So who should you be tipping?
A little over half of those surveyed said that they plan to tip their housekeepers and childcare providers. 25% said they will also tip their postal workers and trash collectors.
Other service providers to tip can include landscapers and gardeners, building managers, maintenance workers, pet walkers/groomers, personal trainers, hair stylists, and newspaper carriers.
Though this list can be long, you are under no obligation to tip everyone. Experts suggest making a list of the people who provide you service throughout the year on a regular basis.
“If you can’t afford to tip everyone, consider who went above and beyond to make your life easier,” says Rossman.
Now that you have your list, how much should you tip?
Holiday tips can vary depending on the service and frequency. For example, a housekeeper who is in your home daily or weekly should receive more than a hair dresser that you see every other month.
On average, this is how much those surveyed plan to tip their service providers this year:
Housekeeper: $50
Childcare Provider: $50
Landscaper/Gardener: $30
Postal Worker: $20
Trash Collector: $20
What about tipping at restaurants?
“In general, it is a nice practice to tip all of those who help you more generously during the holiday season,” says Sam Zietz, CEO of Grubbrr. A 20% tip is now the industry standard for meals at full-service restaurants, and 15% to 20% is appropriate for quick-serve or fast-casual establishments," he says.
Tipping advice for delivery drivers and postal workers:
United States Postal Service: Postal carriers cannot accept gifts of cash or gift cards, however they can accept gifts valued up to $20 during special occasions such as Christmas.
UPS, FedEx, and other delivery drivers: Many residents leave snacks and drinks outside their door for delivery drivers to grab when they drop off packages.
If tipping is not in your budget, experts recommend thinking outside the box to show your gratitude in other ways, such as baking holiday treats or giving other homemade items with a heartfelt note.
“Never let the thought of not doing enough keep you from doing something,” says Heather Wiese Alexander, an etiquette expert and founder of Bell’INVITO. “If all you can do is write a thoughtful note, you’d be amazed at how much it will be appreciated.”
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