Holiday Tipping: Who Should Get What?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Once again, it is that time of year… time to buy presents and ponder who to tip and how much to tip them. It can be overwhelming and confusing, not to mention difficult when money is tight. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Holiday tipping is never an obligation.
While it may be customary, the “etiquette police” aren’t going to arrest you if you fail to give a tip or give less this year than last, because money is tight. A holiday tip is intended to show appreciation for work and services provided throughout the year. In reality, a holiday tip is a gift, one that should leave you feeling the “joy of giving.” The most important aspect is being thoughtful of another person who you value.
Who should get a tip?
First of all, there are two main categories to consider. Those service providers that you normally tip for their services – such as hairdressers, manicurists, etc. and those service providers that are not normally tipped but upon whom you relay throughout the year – such as a babysitter, housekeeper or the newspaper carrier. In both categories, someone who has provided regular service to you or your family throughout the year is someone you would want to consider tipping, especially in recognition for the times when they have gone above and beyond to meet your needs.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFinally, you do need to know if tipping is permitted. In some situations, company or government policies may prohibit a service provider from accepting a tip in the form of money. For example, mail carriers working for the US Postal Service are prohibited from accepting cash or cash equivalents such as gift cards….but if you want to give a small box of chocolates, that might be very much appreciated (so long as the dollar value of the chocolates is under $20.)
How much should I tip?
An easy rule of thumb to remember is that the tip should be equal to the cost of “one service” provided. From that starting point, the amount might be adjusted upwards for an extraordinary level of service or downward to fit within one’s personal budget.
Some specific guidelines are as follows:
- Parking Garage Attendant $20
- Housekeeper 1 week’s pay
- Fitness Trainer Cost of one session
- Nanny 1 week’s pay + a small gift from child
- Newspaper Carrier $15 to $30
- Package Carrier $15
- Home Caregiver 1 week’s pay
- Pet groomer 50% to the full cost of one service
- Babysitter the equivalent of one evening’s pay
- Hairstylist 50% to the full cost of one service
- Manicurist $10 - $15
- Private Sanitation workers $5-$10 each
3 ideas for tipping when money is tight
Save a little each month. Perhaps the easiest to aspire too…but the hardest to actual follow through on, is to create a personal “Holiday Tip” fund and set aside some money each month toward end of the year tips. This approach lessens the sticker shock at the end of the year.
When appropriate, give as a group. When tipping some like daycare providers or teachers, for example, consider collecting donations from all of the families, and then giving the tip on behalf of the group, with a nice card signed by everyone.
If you do give less, include a note. Not of explanation of why you can’t be as generous, but rather a personal note, letting the service provider know how much you appreciate their efforts. It is always an option to include a small gift…but say no to the holiday junk…no one really wants a Santa Holiday Mug full of candy. Really.
Jennifer Adams Galipeau, CHE, is an Associate Professor at the Hospitality College at Johnson & Wales University.
Watch GoLocalTV today at 4pm to see what local service providers have to say about their holiday tips, and get more advice from Professor Galipeau. GoLocalTV is fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.
