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How Much to Give Cleaning Lady for Christmas

The holidays are a time for showing your appreciation, and in many cases, that means monetary gratitude. But how much is appropriate to give? And who in your life deserves a little acknowledgement?

Short answer? Common sense, specific circumstances, and holiday spirit should always be your guide. But of course, there's a longer answer too. Given the challenging circumstances this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, if you can be a little extra generous to those who work in service industries, consider doing so.

General Tipping Etiquette

First, consider these factors, courtesy of the Emily Post Institute:

  • The quality and frequency of the service you receive.
  • Your relationship with the service provider.
  • Your location—tipping averages tend to be higher in larger cities.
  • The number of years you've been using the service.
  • Your budget: You should never feel obligated to go beyond what you can reasonably afford.

Abstract Holiday Thank You Card Set

  • If your budget does not allow for tips, consider homemade gifts (but this year, maybe skip the baked goods) or a genuine and heartfelt thank you note.
  • Any gift or tip should always be accompanied by a short handwritten note of appreciation.
  • Do you already tip regularly? If you tip at the time of service, you may forego an end of the year tip, or give a more modest holiday thank you.

    • How Much Should You Be Tipping

    Below, a handy guide to holiday tipping using information gleaned from the Emily Post Institute and Sharon Schweitzer, an etiquette expert, author, and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide:
    Full-time domestic help (cook, nanny, personal caregiver, or butler): Between a week to a month's pay, plus a gift
    Housekeeper : If they come once a week, the equivalent of a day's pay, or $50. If they come daily, the equivalent of a week's pay, and possibly a gift
    Barber/Hairdresser: Up to the cost of one haircut or a gift
    hair cutting during pandemic

    Konstantin Tsevelev Getty Images

    Beauty Salon Staff: Up to the cost of one salon visit divided for each staff member who works with you
    Babysitter: Up to one evening's pay and a small gift from your children
    Day Care Provider: $25 to $70 for each staff member who works with your children and a small gift from your children
    Personal Trainer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift
    Newspaper Delivery Person: Between $10 to $30, or give a small gift
    re opening continues across densely populated new york and new jersey areas

    Alexi Rosenfeld Getty Images

    • USPS Policy: Gifts cannot exceed $50 per calendar year. Giving cash, VISA, MasterCard, or gift cards that may be used as cash are prohibited per USPS's Employee Tipping and Gift Receiving Policy.
    • UPS Policy: UPS does not have a limit; tipping is left to customer's discretion.
    • FedEx Policy: Company policies discourage gift cash or gift cards. The driver will politely decline the holiday gratuity. If the customer is insistent, the driver may ultimately accept the gift.

    Teacher: Consider a group gift with parents' pooled funds

    Gardener: Equivalent of a week's pay

    Pool Cleaner: Equivalent of one session, divided among the crew.

    man cleaning out swimming pool

    Kelvin Murray Getty Images

    Garage Attendant: Between $10 and $40, or a small gift

    Garbage/Recycling: If your city permits, $10 to $30 each for extra holiday effort

    Doorman: Between $50 to $100 each, or gift, depending on extra duties

    Elevator Operator and Handyman: Between $20 to $50 each

    Building Superintendent: $20 to $80 or a gift

    Dog walker

    hedgehog94 Getty Images

    Pet Groomer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift

    Dog Walker: Up to one week's pay or a gift

    Massage Therapist: Up to the cost of one session or a gift

    Here's Who You Can Skip (Send a Holiday Card Instead)

    • Accountant/CPA
    • Attorney
    • Auditor
    • Banker
    • Bookkeeper
    • Doctor, Dentist
    • Executive Coach
    • Members, Board of Directors or Trustees
    • Seamstress/ Tailor
    • Veterinarian

      Contributing Digital Editor Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene.

      This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

      How Much to Give Cleaning Lady for Christmas

      Source: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/advice/a8933/holiday-tipping/