Holiday Tipping

Holiday tipping is a way to thank the people who provide services all year long. Deciding if and how much to tip people like hairstylists and newspaper deliverers can be difficult. It is important to remember the amounts must be factored into an overall holiday budget.

MSNMoney.com recently posted a helpful article regarding tipping at the holidays. The new rules of holiday tipping provides some sound advice for those who are considering giving a little extra at the end of the year to the people who have provided a higher level of service throughout the year.

Setting priorities about which service providers deserve a tip is crucial, especially if money is tight. People who have gone above and beyond should be considered first. If there is not enough money to give to others, then a slightly larger than usual tip or a small gift should suffice.

The article provided some examples of how much is appropriate to tip people in certain service industries. They suggest that people providing services like newspaper delivery, parking garage attending, trash collecting and any other delivery services received on a regular basis could be given between $10 and $30. Some delivery services, such as the United States Postal Service, do not allow their employees to take cash gifts, so it is important to do a little research before putting someone in an awkward situation.

Holiday tips for people who provide more personal services normally can equal the cost of one visit or session. The professions that fall under this category might include hairdressers, manicurists, part-time house cleaners, pet groomers, dog walkers, lawn care services and babysitters.

It is customary to tip the equivalent of one week's pay to nannies or others who provide services more than a couple of days a week. Also, anyone providing services for children could certainly be given a small and thoughtful gift from each child.

The holidays can be extremely tough financially, so making sure any amount of money given does not leave a person going farther into debt is extremely important. If giving cash gifts does not work with the holiday budget, a smaller gift or perhaps a day off from providing services could be meaningful, as well.