How much should you tip during the holidays? The general guideline is the cost of one service or one week to one month of regular service value. For your mail carrier, up to $20 (per postal regulations). For a housekeeper, the equivalent of one cleaning session. For a hairstylist, the cost of one appointment. For teachers, a gift or gift card worth $25-50. The key is acknowledging people who provide service throughout the year with something meaningful but within your means.
Holiday tipping differs from regular tipping. It’s an annual thank-you for ongoing service, not a percentage of a single transaction. If you can’t afford cash, a heartfelt note expressing gratitude is always appreciated.
Service Providers Who Typically Receive Holiday Tips
Certain service workers traditionally receive holiday tips because they provide consistent service throughout the year that isn’t compensated through regular tipping.
Housecleaners and cleaning services typically receive the equivalent of one session’s pay. If you pay $100 for a cleaning, a $100 holiday tip is appropriate. For cleaning services where different people come each time, a smaller amount per person or a collective gift for the team works.
Garbage and recycling collectors often receive $20-30, though this varies by community norms. In some areas, private haulers expect tips while municipal workers may not accept them. Check local customs.
Mail carriers can accept gifts worth up to $20 per occasion, per USPS regulations. Cash or cash equivalents like gift cards are technically restricted, but enforcement is minimal. Many people give cookies, snacks, or small gifts.
Package delivery drivers (UPS, FedEx, Amazon) typically don’t expect tips, but a small gift during the busy holiday season is appreciated, especially if the same driver regularly serves your address.
Personal Service Providers
People who provide personal services often develop relationships that warrant holiday recognition.
Hairstylists and barbers typically receive the cost of one session. If your haircut costs $50, a $50 tip at the holidays is appropriate. You can give this at your December appointment or separately.
Personal trainers fall in a similar range: the cost of one or two sessions, depending on your budget and the relationship length.
Dog walkers and pet sitters commonly receive one week’s pay. If you pay $100 weekly, a $100 holiday bonus is standard. For daily dogwalkers who have cared for your pet all year, this recognition matters.
Nannies and regular babysitters typically receive one week to one month of pay, depending on tenure and relationship closeness. Full-time nannies who’ve been with a family for years might receive a full month’s salary plus a gift.
Workplace-Adjacent Services
Some services operate in a gray area between personal and commercial relationships.
Building staff (doormen, porters, superintendents) in apartment buildings often receive holiday tips. Amounts vary widely by city and building. In New York City, doormen might receive $50-100 or more from each resident, while porters receive $20-50. Consult with neighbors about building norms.
Office building staff you interact with regularly (security guards, maintenance workers, lobby attendants) might receive $20-50 if your company allows it. Check workplace policies first.
Dry cleaner and laundry workers who know your name and preferences might receive $20-30 or a small gift.
Teachers and School Staff
Teachers typically receive gifts rather than cash tips, as many schools have policies about monetary gifts. A thoughtful gift or gift card worth $25-50 is appropriate. Consider the teacher’s interests or a gift card they can definitely use, like to a bookstore, office supply store, or coffee shop.
Pool gifts with other parents to purchase something more substantial if you prefer. A class gift of $200-300 to a spa or experience can be more meaningful than many small individual gifts.
Bus drivers, crossing guards, and after-school care providers often appreciate holiday recognition too. A $20-25 gift card or baked goods shows gratitude.
When You Can’t Afford to Tip
If your budget is tight, don’t stress. A sincere handwritten note thanking someone for their service throughout the year is meaningful and costs nothing. Many service workers report that genuine thanks matters as much as money.
Homemade gifts like cookies or bread show effort and care without significant expense. A card with a small treat is appropriate when cash isn’t possible.
Prioritize if needed. Tip people who provide the most direct, personal service first. A regular housekeeper or nanny has more expectation of a holiday bonus than a mail carrier you’ve never spoken to.
Skip the guilt. Service workers understand that not everyone can tip, especially during economically difficult years. Your continued patronage and good treatment year-round matters.
Timing and Presentation
Give holiday tips before Christmas, typically in the week or two before December 25. This ensures recipients have funds for their own holiday needs.
Present cash or gift cards in a holiday card with a personal note. “Thank you for taking such good care of our home this year” or “We appreciate everything you do” personalizes the gesture.
For service providers you won’t see before the holiday, leave tips in labeled envelopes at the service location or hand them off early at your last scheduled appointment of the year.
Summary
Holiday tips typically equal one service session or one week to one month of regular service cost, depending on the relationship and your budget. Mail carriers can receive up to $20, housekeepers the cost of one cleaning, and nannies one week to one month’s pay. Teachers typically receive $25-50 gifts rather than cash.
When you can’t afford cash tips, a heartfelt note expressing gratitude is always appreciated. Give tips before Christmas so recipients can use them for their own holidays. The goal is acknowledging people who serve you throughout the year with something meaningful within your means.
