Helpful Tips For Holiday Tipping: Give Generously, But Responsibly!

By the Pachyy Editorial Team The Pachyy Editorial Team comprises a diverse and experienced team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts whose aim is to provide you with useful insights, guidance and commentary on all matters related to your personal finances.
The holiday season is all about giving, and when it comes to showing your appreciation, holiday tipping guides can be a great resource. These guides help you determine the appropriate amount to tip for various services. During the festive season, service industry workers go above and beyond to make our lives easier. By paying a little extra on the tip, you can express your gratitude and make their holidays brighter. Whether you are using these services or not, it’s always good to consider giving a little extra. However, it’s important to be mindful of your financial situation too. Take into account your credit score and income when determining the amount to tip. Depending on your budget and the type of service you received, you might be unsure about whether to tip and how much to give. To help you out, here are some recommended holiday tipping amounts for different services:

Helpful Tips for Tipping During the Holidays

During this festive season, many of us enjoy dining out and visiting bars. To ensure you give appropriate tips, here are some recommendations:

Tipping Guidelines for Restaurant and Bar Staff

When leaving a tip for your meal or drink, it is recommended to give twenty percent of the total bill, and feel free to add any additional amount as you wish.

Showing Appreciation to Front Desk and Building Staff

If you come across door attendants, resident managers, garage attendants, elevator operators, or other building staff during your holiday outings, it’s thoughtful to show your gratitude with a tip. A tip ranging from ten to twenty dollars is generally considered generous for these building staff members.

A Helpful Guide for Tipping During the Holidays

Those who care for your family, whether it be your children, pets, or yourself, deserve some extra appreciation during the holiday season. Here are some recommendations for holiday tipping to show your gratitude:

Your Nanny and Regular Babysitter

If you have a nanny or regular babysitter, giving them a cash tip along with a small gift is a wonderful gesture. As a general rule, consider tipping them at least a day’s or evening’s pay for the holidays. However, if you feel particularly generous and have a full-time nanny with a budget for the holidays, many people choose to tip anywhere from one week’s pay to a month’s worth of income. A homemade gift from your child can also be a thoughtful addition to their holiday bonus.

Home Health Employees, Private Nurses, Nursing Home Employees

If your loved one is being taken care of or if you rely on home health care services, it’s a good idea to consider tipping these dedicated individuals. Showing appreciation through a holiday tip is a great way to acknowledge their daily hard work. A good guideline for tipping caretakers is a day’s wage, one week’s pay, or even a month’s pay, depending on their level of involvement.

Live-in Help

Live-in help often becomes part of your family, so in addition to money, consider giving them a small gift and a personal note as a kind gesture of gratitude. Just like nannies and home healthcare workers, it is customary to give these workers an extra tip of at least one week’s pay, and potentially up to a month’s pay.

Your Dog Walker, Pet Sitter, and Pet Groomer

Your pet caregivers, including dog walkers, pet sitters, and pet groomers, play an important role in caring for your furry friends. Consider tipping them accordingly. For dog walkers and pet sitters, a tip ranging from one session’s fee up to one week’s pay is appropriate, depending on their frequency of service. When it comes to pet groomers, it’s customary to tip them a minimum of twenty percent of the service costs. Remember to give cash tips to both pet service workers.

Teachers and Daycare Workers

Tipping essential workers such as teachers and daycare staff members can be a little different. Instead of cash gifts, consider giving them gift cards or a personal gift from your child to express your appreciation for their hard work.

Tipping for Self-Care Services

Your hairstylist, barber, manicurist, and massage therapist contribute to helping you look and feel your best all year round. The holidays present a perfect opportunity to show them some gratitude through a cash gift. A good guideline is to provide a cash tip equivalent to one session or one visit as your holiday tip. Keep in mind that many self-care establishments can only accept tips in cash.

Showing Appreciation for Home and Car Services (Repair, Maintenance, Upkeep)

It’s always a thoughtful gesture to tip the hardworking individuals who help keep our homes and cars in top shape. The following service providers usually appreciate a tip: gardeners, pool cleaners, car mechanics, and trash collectors. A tip ranging from $25 to $50 is typically sufficient to express your gratitude for their services.

Recognizing the Efforts of Delivery Drivers

During the holiday season, delivery drivers and postal workers play a crucial role in ensuring our packages and mail reach us on time. However, please keep in mind that specific guidelines may apply based on the type of mail carrier.
  • U.S mail carriers: While cash gifts are not allowed, you can show your appreciation by offering a gift or gift card valued at under $25.
  • FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Drivers: Consider giving them a cash gift or gift card of up to $25.
  • Furniture deliveries: For furniture deliveries, a tip of up to $25 is customary unless they are lending a hand in moving items into your home—then you may want to consider an additional tip of $10 to $15.
Remember, these tips are just suggestions, and any amount you feel comfortable giving will be appreciated. Let’s spread some holiday cheer and show our gratitude to those who help make our lives easier!

Who Shouldn’t I Tip?

Here are some industries and services where tipping is not commonly accepted. However, if you have a close relationship with them, you may consider giving a small gift:
  • Doctors and Medical Staff at a Hospital/Clinic
  • Lawyers and Legal Assistants
  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Veterinarians
  • Police or Firefighters

Discover Resources to Help Cover Holiday Expenses

While planning your holiday budget, it’s common to overlook certain costs that may arise. If your holiday bonus or income isn’t enough to cover expenses like shopping or gift-giving, or if you find yourself facing a financial emergency, there are options available to obtain extra funds: These loan types offer a speedy and straightforward process, and once approved, you can access the funds quickly to address your needs.

Welcome to our Holiday Tipping Guide! Keep Your Budget in Mind!

The past year has been incredibly tough for public service workers and service providers who faced job loss due to the pandemic. As things gradually return to normal, many of us wish to express our gratitude to these individuals during the upcoming holidays. While it’s a kind and generous gesture to provide extra tips for service workers, remember that you don’t have to exceed your holiday budget. If you’re unable to give a monetary tip, consider thoughtful homemade gifts for those you regularly interact with or simply expressing your gratitude with a heartfelt thank you and a regular tip. For more holiday tips and information, don’t forget to visit the Pachyy blog where you can find insightful articles on holiday credit cards!

References:Holiday Tipping—CNN Money