A nationwide Angie's List poll found 38 percent of respondents don’t tip their service providers during the holidays. Of those that skip out on tips, 15 percent say it’s because they don’t know how much to give, while 21 percent don’t have the money to tip.
Tips are meant to be rewards for good service as well as supplement a person’s income. If money is tight this year, your could still put forth an effort to let your service providers know you appreciate them. We've heard from Angie's List members tell us they'll bake a sweet treat for their service providers and add a handwritten thank you note. Another alternative to a cash tip is writing a praise-filled letter to the worker's supervisor. Superb service may prompt a raise for that individual.
Angie’s List offers the following tipping advice to help consumers get through the holiday season:
Holiday-related services
- Contractors who help hang your decorations, lights, etc.: A tip of $20 to $50 for the crew may be in order, based on the complexity of the task.
- Bag boys or others who help carry your packages to your car: A tip of $1 per package/bag may be in order, though probably no more than $5.
- Personal shoppers/concierge/errand services: A tip of 15 to 20 percent is recommended, possibly more, depending on the complexity or amount of work you have them do for you. Some of these services will do shopping, gift wrapping, mailing of gifts, etc.
- Event entertainment: A tip of 15 to 20 percent is appropriate for Santa impersonators, carolers or musicians.
Year-round services
- Yard workers, handymen, etc: A tip of $20 to $50 may be in order depending how often they visit your home.
- Housecleaners: Many suggest $25 to $50, a day’s pay, or a gift of equal value. If you use a service that sends a different housecleaner each time, this may not be necessary, unless you ask them to do some one-time tasks to help you prepare for the holidays – such as helping unpack and put up decorations, a deep cleaning before a party, etc.
- Childcare providers: For babysitters, the recommendation is a gift at the holidays from your kids, plus one or two nights’ pay. For a full-time nanny, one to four weeks’ pay plus a small gift from your kids is appropriate. For standard childcare providers, a gift at the holidays and $25 to $75 each. This may not be appropriate for some pre-Kindergarten child care/education providers. Check with the manager of the facility to see what’s appropriate, which might be a small gift from your kids.
- Mail and paper delivery: Though the U.S. Postal Service frowns on gratuities and gifts for mail carriers, authorities request that the gift or gratuity be $20 or less. For daily newspaper delivery, a holiday tip of $15 to $25 is appropriate
Related holiday tips:
How to avoid gift return rage
How to hire holiday help
Holiday travel tips
Holiday decorating safety tips