The holidays are a time to show appreciation and gratitude to those who make our lives better, yet the pressure to figure out which people should receive holiday tips and how much we should give is enough to leave us feeling flustered and stressed-out. Do I tip each person and if so, how much? Is this something that is expected or frowned upon? To make seasonal tipping a little easier, here is a guide of essential rules to holiday tipping, types of workers you should consider and how much money you should give.
Tipping grocery delivery people has gone from being uncommon to becoming widely accepted. Depending on the service, you may be able to thank them digitally, add a gratuity when you order or just leave cash with the delivery. In general, you can tip grocers $5-10 or 10% of the total bill.
Grocery store employees, from cashiers to baggers, often work long hours and hard shifts. $10-20 is an appropriate amount for each person you would like to thank.
Restaurant and retail workers should receive a tip of at least 15-20%. At restaurants, you can either leave a tip on the card or in cash. If you are in a retail store and have received exceptional service, you can give $10-20 as a thank you.
It is customary to tip your hairdresser or barber 10-20%. This amount should be based on the cost of your service and the level of experience of the stylist or barber.
If you have a regular, weekly cleaner, $20-50 is an appropriate amount. Alternatively, you can give a gift, add a specific bonus to the invoice or just give a heartfelt ‘thank you’.
Gardeners, landscapers and lawn professionals should be recognized for their hard work. An amount of $35-50 is an excellent way to show your appreciation.
Nannies and babysitters should be given an extra week’s pay. If you have a one-time babysitter, $15-20 is plenty.
Dog walkers often provide an essential service, so they should be tipped accordingly. An appropriate amount is $15-20 per walk.
Postal and other delivery workers often handle large volumes of parcels. $20-30 is a good amount for one person and can be split among co-workers.
If you have a child who is in contact with teachers, you may want to tip them for the effort they put into teaching your child. An acceptable amount is $25-50 per teacher.
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers should be thanked for their hard work. A gift from the heart is appropriate, but if you are looking for a monetary amount, $30-50 is recommended.
Tipping those who provide essential services or care for our well-being has become widely accepted, and is a way to express appreciation and gratitude. Whether it's grocery delivery people, restaurant or retail staff, hairdressers or barbers, house cleaners, landscapers, nannies and babysitters, dog walkers, postal and other delivery workers, teachers or healthcare providers, the etiquette for tipping can differ depending on the service. Concluding, it is important to pay what you can afford when tipping, and remember to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ which is often more meaningful than money.
The festive season often presents a whole host of different tipping scenarios; from restaurants to...
