Does your postal carrier want cookies or cash? Is it legal to tip your favorite police officer? (ANSWER: NO. I checked) Who deserves a peach Xmas candle?
U.S. News & World Report offers this list of who to tip (and who to skip) this holiday season:
• Doormen of residential buildings — Show your doorman how much you appreciate the service he provides by tipping at least $20 and up to $100 if he really has your back.
• House cleaner — If you regularly use the services of a house cleaner, tip the equivalent of one visit. So, if a cleaning session typically costs $100, aim to include an extra $100 around the holidays.
• Trash collector — Check local restrictions before handing over a holiday tip. If there are none, aim for $10 to $25 per person. You can gift it in person or drop it off at their headquarters.
• Babysitter or nanny — For your babysitter, tack on an extra check for the equivalent of one night’s visit. Tip the nanny between one week’s and one month’s pay. Don’t forget to include a gift from your child.
• Hair dresser — Show your appreciation by tipping your regular hair guru the cost of a single visit. Make it extra special by attaching it to a card or quick note.
• Home health aide — Before tipping the staffer who takes such good care of your loved one, check the employer’s corporate gift-giving policy. If there are no restrictions, consider giving a gift or gift certificate. For a private nurse, anywhere from $50 to a week’s pay is typical.
• Package deliverer — Workers for UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Service typically have limitations on how much they can accept. Stay within that dollar amount or opt for something relatively cheap and heartfelt, such as a homemade gift.
• Garage attendant — If you deal regularly with a garage attendant — and he or she makes your life much easier — consider tipping $10 to $50.
• Your child’s teacher — Avoid cash when giving your child’s teacher a year-end gift. Opt instead for a class gift — your teacher may have a classroom wishlist that she shared at the beginning of the year — or pool your funds with other parents for a larger gift certificate. Don’t forget to include something for the teacher’s aide.
THE NO-TIP LIST:
No matter how much you appreciate what they do, you’re not expected to tip your doctor, lawyer, dry cleaner, dentist, boss or co-workers.
