December 9, 2004 12:25 PM
Holiday Tipping
Excerpt: Do you have tipping anxiety? Here are today's five tips.
'Tis the season to spread the wealth. There's no better time to show appreciation to the people who provide services for you throughout the year.
But trying to figure out who to tip and how much can cause a holiday headache. Maybe that's why 42 percent of consumers in a recent ConsumerReports.org survey said they don't bother tipping at all during the holiday season.
Do you have tipping anxiety? Here are today's five tips.
1. Deciding who's been naughty and nice.
Trying to figure out whom to tip can be confusing and expensive. Start by considering those who make a difference in your life. It also depends on the quality and frequency of their service, where you live and your budget.
We all have different ideas of what constitutes good service and nothing is etched in stone of what's appropriate to tip. But here are a few guidelines according to some etiquette experts.
Babysitter: One to two evenings' pay plus a small gift from your child. It really depends on how often they sit. If they come to your home every day, a week's worth of pay, plus a small gift is appropriate.
Hairstylist: The cost of one visit. And depending on your relationship with your hairstylist, you may also consider giving a small gift.
Fitness Trainer: $25 to $100 or the cost of one session.
Newspaper Carrier: $10 to $25, depending upon whether or not you tip them during the year. Tipping is sometimes a year-round gesture for some subscribers.
Mail Carrier: As a government employee, postal workers are prohibited from accepting cash gifts or gifts valued over $20. However, a small gift valued under $20 is fine (ex. cookies, chocolate, gift certificates). Wine is not a good option since carriers cannot have any alcohol in their vehicles. Better yet, write a letter of appreciation on behalf of your carrier to the postmaster.
Check out www.emilypost.com and www.tipping.org for more on who and how much to tip during the holidays.
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