Holiday Tipping Guide

[Refugee 7]

It struck Robert Maloney that holiday tips don’t always come from whom you’d expect.

“It’s interesting to me. It’s usually the people who can least afford it who are the most generous,” the U.S. Postal Service carrier said. “It’s the ones who work hardest for their dollar. I’m touched by that.”

After nearly two decades of delivering mail in Denver, Maloney, 47, is still surprised when folks recognize his efforts with a token of appreciation at year’s end.

“I get paid for my job,” Maloney said. “People aren’t under any commitment to tip me.”

But it happens.

In our service economy, the holiday season is often considered a good time to demonstrate gratitude to the individuals who take care of the little things in people’s lives. Many people, however, find it difficult to decide what is an appropriate tip or gift.

Some professions rely heavily on tips for their compensation, according to PayScale Inc., and that might factor into the decision of how large a tip to give. Tips make up 47 percent of a bartender’s compensation, for example, and 24 percent for hairstylists.

We compiled a list of some people you might be considering tipping along with the guideline gratuity according to such sources as tipping.org, The Emily Post Institute and a variety of other service-related organizations. When available, we’ve included the average tip given (in parentheses) according to a survey by Consumer Reports.

And it’s not always just about money. Sometimes the thought is enough.

“I had one lady on my last route, and I’d smell the cookies she’d be baking for her family,” Maloney said. “She’d pass along the burnt ones the family didn’t want to eat.”

•Postal workers: Precluded from asking or hinting for any gift, rules limit a worker from accepting anything worth more than $20 and no cash, according to Al DeSarro, Colorado regional spokesman for the Postal Service. “Baked goods are the most common gratuity,” DeSarro said. ($20)

•Mailbox service: Same as postal workers.

•Teachers: Generally it’s best to pool resources with other parents and provide a single gift, such as a gift card to a restaurant or store, from the entire class so it’s not viewed as an effort at favoritism. Check school regulations first to be sure gifts are allowed. ($20)

•Babysitter: One evening’s pay and a small gift from the child such as a gift card to the movies or for a rental. ($40)

•Barber, hairstylist and manicurist: The cost of a cut or visit. ($20)

•Child-care provider: $25 to $70 each and a small gift from your child for those who give direct care to your child. ($40)

•Fitness trainer: The cost of a session. ($25)

•Parking garage attendants: $10-$30 each.

•Housekeeper or cleaner: Up to one week’s pay or a gift of equal value. ($50)

•Newspaper delivery: $10 -$30. ($15)

•Nursing home workers: A gift, not cash, which can be shared among the staffers, such as flowers or food, such as a pizza lunch.

•Pet groomer: If the same person grooms your pet each time, up to one session’s fee.

•Apartment building superintendent, doorman, handyman: $15 to $80 depending on how frequently you deal with them.

•Trash/recycling collectors: $10-$30 for private service, check local regulations for municipal service and stay within limits. ($20)

•Yard/garden worker: $20 to $50 to each member of the crew.

•Perpetual care cemetery worker: $20 to $50 for those at private cemetery.

•School bus driver: Depending on regulations and if it’s a doorstep pickup, $10 to $20. ($15)

[agirl 0]

Perpetual care cemetery worker: $20 to $50 for those at private cemetery.

I had no idea :confused: lol

and as far as my mailman goes, my mailbox is 2 blocks from my house and I've never laid eyes on him.

[wild1forever 152]

You're supposed to tip the school bus driver?! The gardener too?! :eek: I had no idea! I must seem really cheap to them, lol.

[Starfish 0]

I want to know where people pay $20 for a haircut!

[AmyLou 5]

^ for sure - maybe the same place you get someone to clean for $50!

[Echosoftom 3]

^ LOL!

I do give my gardeners a tip at Christmas. I appreciate the little extras they do around here.

Man, you could spend all your Christmas budget tipping all those people, lol.

[Starfish 0]

You have a gardener? I'm jealous!

[Patty Petty 9]

I want to know where people pay $20 for a haircut!

LMAO, exactly! But! You probably wouldn't want to go anywhere that DOES charge only 20 bucks for a haircut! Hahahahahahaha!!!! :003:

It's so true that those who you least expect it from will give you the nicest tip.

When I worked for tips, it would infuriate me when people who could wel afford it, would stiff me, or give me well under what they should have given me. But, it's like my mother always told me... "How do you think those people got so rich, Patty?"

We tip the mailman... usually $20.00 and a little something... last year it was a little basket filled with a mug, some hot cocoa mix, and a little bag of cookies.