The holidays are traditionally a time to tip those who have made your life easier, more convenient or more enjoyable throughout the year. Although not required, Christmas tips also provide a financial boost to workers who may be struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season.
“Tips go a long way to supplementing income,” says Karen Cleveland, an etiquette expert and co-author of “The New Wedding Book: A Guide to Ditching All the Rules.” Just as important, a holiday tip is a way to recognize and show appreciation and gratitude for service workers.
Still, tipping standards can be confusing and some workers may not be able to accept tips at all. Keep reading for a holiday tipping guide that lays out who you should tip, how much and when.
[Related:How Much to Tip a Holiday Photographer]
Who Should Get a Holiday Tip
There are no hard-and-fast rules on who to tip, but a gratuity can be appropriate for any person who provides a service on a regular basis.
“It’s important to tip those you routinely visit and who provide you with a loyal service,” says Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.”
However, people need to be cognizant about their own financial situation when distributing tips. “Gifting what you can comfortably afford, along with a heartfelt note of gratitude, is always a generous and kind gesture,” Gottsman says.
[Related:How Much Do You Really Need to Spend on That Holiday Gift?]
As a general rule, it’s appropriate to tip the following people at the holidays:
— Delivery drivers
— Babysitters or nannies
— Door attendants and building managers
— Maintenance workers like repair people, housekeepers, pool cleaners, trash collectors and landscapers
— Pet walkers, groomers and sitters
— Personal trainers
— Hairdressers and beauticians
— Newspaper carriers
You may end up with a long list of people to potentially tip, but you are under no obligation to do so.
“Do what you can,” says Amanda Belarmino, assistant professor of hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She notes that most people know finances are tight for many households right now.
Once you have your list in hand and know how much you can afford to tip, prioritize those whose services you value most or use most often. If you can’t afford to give tips to everyone, still provide a holiday thank you in the form of a handwritten card or small gift if possible.
How Much to Tip for the Holidays
Holiday tips can vary depending on the service, your relationship with the worker and regional customs. “It should be something more meaningful than just your change,” Gottsman says.
The following represent generally accepted holiday tipping standards, according to Gottsman:
— Restaurant delivery drivers: 20% of the total bill or $5, whichever is higher
— Ride-share drivers: 15% to 20% of the fare
— Babysitters or nannies: One evening or one week’s pay, respectively
— Hairstylists or beauticians: Equivalent to one visit
— Door attendants: $20 to $100, depending on the level of service provided
— Maintenance workers like housekeepers and landscapers: One week’s pay
— Repair people: $20 to $100
— Newspaper carriers: $10 to $30
— Trash collectors: $10 to $25 per person, if allowed
— Dog walkers: One day or week’s pay
— Dog groomers: Equivalent to one visit
“For people who might roll their eyes … or say that’s too rich, I’d say that if you can afford those luxuries, then you can afford to tip,” Cleveland says.
She encourages people not to think in terms of dollars and cents but rather in the spirit of the season and see tipping as a chance to show gratitude to those who provide great service all year long.
“In general, it is a nice practice to tip all of those who help you more generously during the holiday season,” says Sam Zietz, CEO of Grubbrr, a company providing self-ordering restaurant technology solutions.
A 20% tip is now the industry standard for meals at full-service restaurants, and 15% to 20% is appropriate for quick-serve or fast-casual establishments, he says.
The level of service provided by a worker also influences the tip amount. The holiday tip for a housekeeper who is at your home weekly should be different from the holiday tip for a hairdresser you see once a month.
For home and family service providers such as cleaners, nannies, gardeners and private chefs, a holiday tip of one week’s pay is often suggested by etiquette experts. Meanwhile, it is appropriate to tip personal service providers — including hairstylists and manicurists — the monetary equivalent of one visit.
Tipping Advice for Delivery Drivers
Delivery drivers play a vital role as many families opt to shop from home. If you want to provide a holiday tip for your regular delivery drivers, follow these guidelines:
— United States Postal Service: Government ethical standards prohibit postal carriers from accepting gifts of cash or gift cards. However, they can receive gift items with a value up to $20 for a special occasion such as Christmas. The total value of all gifts given during the year by a single customer cannot exceed $50.
— FedEx: The FedEx Code of Conduct prohibits team members from receiving cash, gift cards, high-value gifts and vacations. However, promotional gifts, flowers and food are all acceptable.
— UPS: Delivery drivers may use their discretion to accept small gifts or gratuities. The company’s Code of Business Conduct states: “All gifts and entertainment, other than infrequent items of nominal value, must be disclosed and approved by the appropriate manager.”
Another option to thank delivery drivers is to fill a basket with grab-and-go snacks, water or similar items. Attach a note thanking drivers and inviting them to help themselves. Place the basket by the normal delivery drop-off spot. This option may be a good choice for households that receive deliveries from multiple drivers.
As for food and grocery delivery workers, many are able to accept tips. If you order from a service that charges a delivery fee, don’t assume it goes to the person who drops off your order. “There is a difference between a delivery charge and a gratuity,” Gottsman says.
When to Gift Rather Than Tip
A cash tip may not be appropriate in all situations. “If the relationship is more personal, a small gift or homemade item may be a better way of expressing appreciation,” Zietz says.
In particular, you shouldn’t tip people you normally don’t pay directly. These can include the following:
— Co-workers, supervisors and bosses
— Teachers, principals and school staff
— Health care workers
What’s more, there are some professionals who may not be able to accept tips because of ethical or employer restrictions. These workers may include:
— Public service and government workers
— Health care workers
— Lawyers
— Realtors
— Accountants and financial advisors
For all the above workers, a gift may be more appropriate than a tip. If gifts are not in the budget, “a handwritten card is a really nice gesture,” Cleveland says.
[Read: How to Make a Budget — and Stick to It.]
How to Give a Holiday Tip
Ideally, you’d put a holiday tip in a card with a note thanking the person for their service. “If you want it to be seen as a holiday gift, it should be presented as a holiday gift,” Belarmino says.
You can also give the tip to the worker at the same time as their normal payment. However, that isn’t always possible.
Tipping the newspaper carrier, for example, in this way can be hard if you’re not home during delivery times. In that case, leaving a card or envelope in the door or delivery box is an option, assuming theft isn’t a problem in your area.
And if you don’t have time to buy a card or write a note, don’t stress over the perfect presentation. Putting cash in a plain envelope with a note on the front is perfectly acceptable, too. Or if you are tipping a hospitality worker, handing them cash and wishing them happy holidays or merry Christmas is appropriate, Belarmino says.
Holiday tipping is not an obligation, but it is a nice gesture if you have the financial means. And at the end of the year, a holiday tip can provide a much-needed boost to both a worker’s morale and bank account.
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Holiday Tipping Guide: Who to Tip and How Much originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 12/10/24: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
