How to Tip During the Holidays

The mail carrier. The cleaners. The dog walker. Your kids’ teachers. Yup, it’s the time of year to say thanks to all these people who provide essential services to you throughout the year. But we get it—it can be confusing to know exactly what to do or how much to give them. So your friends at Santa.com have put together this helpful guide to get it done. Here are our tips: 

Make a List

Just like Santa, start with a list. Then come up with a budget and decide if you can cover everyone.  Write down how much you’d like to give or spend on each person. 

Pro tip: Do this as early in the season as possible. Here are a few people your list might include:

• Newspaper carrier

• Hair stylists/barber

• Babysitter

• Housekeeper

• Doorman 

• Personal Trainer

• Dog Walker

• Pet Sitter

• Pet Groomer

• Maintenance people (repair person, pool person, gardner, landscaper)

• Teacher

• Mail carrier (USPS regulations forbid gifts valued at over $20 USD)

• Dry cleaner

What to Give?

Once you tally up your list and consider your budget, you can start to get creative. For example, if you don’t have enough money set aside to give everyone a card with some cash, how about planning to give a few people something homemade, like cookies? Prioritize your list by remembering that those who work closely with you (like a housekeeper, babysitter, or personal trainer) should be on the money list. 

But what about someone like your pet groomer? Tip them their normal amount for Fido’s grooming, but bring along a little bag or box of cookies or candies to show your appreciation. For teachers and professionals you may ‘share’ with others, pooling for a gift card or cash with their other clients is a great way to say thanks.

Who to Skip

There are people we work with and value that don’t necessarily need a gift. We would consider that list to include:

• Doctors

• Lawyers

• Veterinarian

• Bankers

• Seamstresses

• Accountants 

• Board Members