Holiday Central 2010

Holiday Central 2010

Holiday Tipping Guide: 2010

Joseph Pisani
WATCH LIVE

Whom to Tip

Holiday tipping time is upon us again, and if you’re looking for advice on how much to give, and to whom to give it to, we’ve got it covered — no tip required. We asked several etiquette experts how much to give, averaging them out to get our numbers. But experts stress that if you can’t afford to give cash, then don’t. In most cases a note explaining your situation and thanking them for their work along with homemade cookies can be enough. Click ahead to see who gets what.
Photo credit: Getty Images

Holiday tipping time is upon us again, and if you’re looking for advice on how much to give, and to whom to give it to, we’ve got it covered — no tip required.

We asked several etiquette experts how much to give, averaging them out to get our numbers. But experts stress that if you can’t afford to give cash, then don’t. In most cases a note explaining your situation and thanking them for their work along with homemade cookies can be enough.

Click ahead to see who gets what.

By Joseph Pisani
Posted Nov. 19, 2010  

» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Babysitter/Nanny: One Week’s Pay

Full-time babysitters should get one week’s worth of pay. Babysitters you use less frequently should get one night’s pay. You can also throw in a small gift from the child if you’d like.
Photo credit: David De Lossy | Photodisc | Getty Images

Full-time babysitters should get one week’s worth of pay. Babysitters you use less frequently should get one night’s pay. You can also throw in a small gift from the child if you’d like.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Barber/Hair Stylist: Gift

If you’ve been tipping generously after every haircut, there’s no real reason to give them extra cash during the holidays, says Mary Mitchell, author of . Bring in a box of chocolates or some other goodies. Of course, if you’ve been skimping on the tips all year, a cash tip equal to one session is a safe way to go.
Photo credit: Michael Hitoshi | Digital Vision | Getty Images

If you’ve been tipping generously after every haircut, there’s no real reason to give them extra cash during the holidays, says Mary Mitchell, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette. Bring in a box of chocolates or some other goodies. Of course, if you’ve been skimping on the tips all year, a cash tip equal to one session is a safe way to go.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Building Staff: $20-$100

City dwellers will have to shell out more than their suburb-living counterparts. Doormen should get $50-$100. The same goes for the building handyman, depending on how much you use them. Elevator operators should get between $20-$50.
Photo credit: Getty Images

City dwellers will have to shell out more than their suburb-living counterparts. Doormen should get $50-$100. The same goes for the building handyman, depending on how much you use them. Elevator operators should get between $20-$50.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Dog Walker: One Week's Pay

A daily dog walker should get one week's pay, but if the service is less regular, give a tip that equals the amount of one visit.
Photo credit: AP

A daily dog walker should get one week's pay, but if the service is less regular, give a tip that equals the amount of one visit.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Landscaper: Cost of One Visit

A landscaper should get the cost of one visit, but if a team of people are working on your lawn, give $10-$20 each.
Photo credit: AP

A landscaper should get the cost of one visit, but if a team of people are working on your lawn, give $10-$20 each.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Mail/Package Delivery: Gift

United States Post Office and Fedex workers aren't allowed to accept any cash or gifts. Go with a small gift or gift card worth less than $20.
Photo credit: Getty Images

United States Post Office and Fedex workers aren't allowed to accept any cash or gifts. Go with a small gift or gift card worth less than $20.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Manicurist: Cost of One Session

Your regular manicurist should get a cash tip equal to the amount of one session.
Photo credit: AAGAMIA | Iconica | Getty Images

Your regular manicurist should get a cash tip equal to the amount of one session.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Massage Therapist: Cost of One Session

If you see the same massage therapist regularly throughout the year, tip them the amount of one visit.
Photo credit: Nicole Hill | Getty Images

If you see the same massage therapist regularly throughout the year, tip them the amount of one visit.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Newspaper Carrier: $25

If your carrier is getting your paper to you everyday, first thing in the morning, they deserve a $25 tip. If you're only getting newspaper deliveries on the weekend, give $10.
Photo credit: Fuse | Getty Images

If your carrier is getting your paper to you everyday, first thing in the morning, they deserve a $25 tip. If you're only getting newspaper deliveries on the weekend, give $10.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Nurses: Gift

If you have a loved one in long-term care at a hospital, give the nursing staff a big food basket to share. A private home-nurse can be given a gift or gift card worth as much as $50.
Photo credit: David Sacks | The Image Bank | Getty Images

If you have a loved one in long-term care at a hospital, give the nursing staff a big food basket to share. A private home-nurse can be given a gift or gift card worth as much as $50.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Personal Trainer: Cost of One Session

If you’ve been working with a personal trainer for at least six months this year, they should get a tip equal to the cost of one workout session.
Photo credit: UpperCut Images | Getty Images

If you’ve been working with a personal trainer for at least six months this year, they should get a tip equal to the cost of one workout session.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Teacher: Gift

Before giving anything, check with your child’s school to see if they have some sort of gift-giving policy, says Diane Gottsman, etiquette expert and the owner of . If you can give, experts say to skip on giving cash, as it may look like you’re bribing the teacher for better treatment. Instead, get a coffee or book shop gift card for around $20, or get together with other parents and give one for a larger amount.
Photo credit: Rayman | Digital Vision | Getty Images

Before giving anything, check with your child’s school to see if they have some sort of gift-giving policy, says Diane Gottsman, etiquette expert and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas.

If you can give, experts say to skip on giving cash, as it may look like you’re bribing the teacher for better treatment. Instead, get a coffee or book shop gift card for around $20, or get together with other parents and give one for a larger amount.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping

Trash collectors: $10-$20 each

It may mean waking up a bit earlier, but experts say tipping the trash collector is necessary. Anything between $10-$20 for each one is fine, depending on how many trash collectors stop by. If you're living in an apartment building, the management will usually take care of it.
Photo credit: Flickr

It may mean waking up a bit earlier, but experts say tipping the trash collector is necessary. Anything between $10-$20 for each one is fine, depending on how many trash collectors stop by. If you're living in an apartment building, the management will usually take care of it.


» Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Tipping