Navigating Holiday Tipping: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating Holiday Tipping: A Comprehensive Guide

The holiday season is a time of joy, gift-giving, and family gatherings. But it's also a time of stress — especially when it comes to tipping! How much should you give? Who should you tip? How should you go about it? These questions can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious.


Navigating the holiday tipping season doesn't have to be stressful, though — if you follow a few simple steps, you can easily show your appreciation to those who bring you joy over the holidays. From taking inventory of those who should be tipped to deciding how to give the tip, this comprehensive guide provides tips and tricks to guide you through the process. With a little extra thought and care, you will be able to navigate the holiday tipping season with ease!


Gift Giving


When it comes to those who serve you throughout the year, it’s a nice gesture to include them in your gift giving plans. Providers such as hairdressers, personal trainers and massage therapists should all receive a small gift or token of appreciation from you. For example, if you visit the same hairdresser every month, or have a weekly massage appointment, a small gift or cash would be a wonderful way to show your appreciation. For those you don’t visit often, such as cleaners or gardeners, gift cards are a great option.


Teachers


Teachers often don’t get the appreciation they deserve, but gift-giving is a great way to show them how much they mean to you. If you're looking to give a gift, consider something practical that they can make use of in the classroom, like classroom supplies, teacher apparel or any necessary items they may need. Another great idea is to get a group of parents together to provide the teacher with a collective gift.


Sitters


Babysitters and pet sitters are often overlooked during the holidays, but they certainly deserve a tip throughout the season. If your sitter normally charges hourly, the cost of the tip should reflect the service provided. For example, if your sitter charges $20/hour, $20-$30 would be a generous and thoughtful tip for the season. You can also provide a unique gift from the celebrated child or pet as a special token of appreciation.


Medical and Healthcare Professionals


Holiday tipping extends beyond those providing frivolous services — it’s a great way to show your appreciation to medical and healthcare professionals, too. It’s important to keep in mind that many doctor’s offices have polices towards holiday tipping, so take some time to call and ask about their rules and regulations before you decide on a tip amount. A $50 to $100 tip is a safe option, and of course, it won’t hurt to gift a special card or something more personal.


Food Delivery


With online food delivery services like DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub on the rise, the practice of tipping has become more important than ever. When you order food to be delivered to your door, make sure to include a generous tip to recognize the service provided. A tip of 10-20% of the meal cost is recommended if you're satisfied with the quality and timeliness of the delivery.


Doormen


A job often taken for granted is that of your local doorman or concierge. These individuals provide invaluable services to you throughout the year, from somewhere to hang your mail during holidays to someone who is always on call for emergencies. Doormen often receive tips between $20 and $100, depending on the services provided. If you want to get creative, you can provide a homemade gift such as baked goods, holiday decor, or wines.


Service Providers


Whether you have a personal chef or an IT technician who tends to your business, this holiday season is the perfect time to recognize the invaluable services they provide. For these service providers, a gift or a cash tip any amount between $50 and $200 will show them your appreciation. For larger businesses, consider doing a group appreciation gift or give a gift card to show your gratitude.


UPS, FedEx and the Postal Service


With the increase in delivery services, it’s important to recognize those who help bring your packages to your door. For these services, you can make a donation in the driver's name or give a small token of appreciation, such as a gift card. With so many ways to show appreciation over the holidays, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take the time to recognize those who regularly provide services to you.


The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for those who you depend on for service throughout the year. Hairdressers, personal trainers, massage therapists, teachers, babysitters, and pet sitters should all be included in your gift giving plans. Donation in drivers' names, small tokens of appreciation, or generous cash tips are all appropriate ways to recognize medical and healthcare professionals. For those who provide a service but are rarely seen, such as cleaners or gardeners, gift cards are a great option. Whether you choose to give a group appreciation gift or a bag of homemade goodies, make sure to recognize those who show generosity and service to you throughout the year.

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