Three Simple Rules for Holiday Tipping

The rule of thumb is to tip the cost of one haircut, manicure, lawn mowing, etc., but there are exceptions. If you recently changed hairdressers or only had your lawn mowed during the summer, you can adjust the amount downward.

No less an expert than the Emily Post Institute says you should not go over your budget when tipping. If you truly can’t afford the cost of one service, give what you can afford to the people you worked with throughout the year. If you can afford to give generously, please do.

Make a list of the people you worked with during the year and prioritize the regulars. Give more to the people who went above and beyond this year to help you out. If your paper carrier took the time to carefully place your paper on the porch instead of the wet yard, reward them. On the other hand, if your landscaper killed the roses and let the dog out, give them less, or in extreme cases, nothing at all. Terrible service deserves no reward. Good service deserves a solid tip.

Should your long-time housekeeper get more than your new massage therapist? Absolutely. You should reward loyalty and friendship. If someone has been in your employ for years, they are a part of your life and deserve some recognition. Give more to these workers. Experts suggest up to one week’s pay. If that’s not possible, give money combined with a personal gift.

If you are on a tight budget, set an overall tipping amount and then use your list to figure out who gets what. If you want to show your appreciation with a little homemade gift, go ahead, but that crafty vase should also contain some cold, hard cash.