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Holiday Tipping Guide: Christmas Tips for Grateful Giving

/28 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

Navigating holiday tipping can feel overwhelming, especially with so many opinions on who deserves a tip and how much to give. This guide cuts through the noise, offering practical Christmas tips to help you decide who to thank and how to do it within your means. Whether it’s your hairdresser, housekeeper, or postal carrier, you’ll find simple, thoughtful ideas for showing gratitude that fit your budget.

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It is a social custom in this country to give cash gifts, known as tips or gratuities, during the holiday season. How this custom came to be I have no idea. Thankfully, there are no laws and no tipping police.

We see a plethora of tipping guidelines in newspapers, magazines, blogs and social media during the holidays. Always keep in mind these are editorial suggestions.

Some I’ve read include the garbage man, newspaper delivery person, mail carrier; the nanny, driver, and doorman; the housekeeper, delivery guy, the maid, the butler (don’t we all have one of those?), which for me begs the question:

What makes one service worthy of gratuities from its patrons while others—like grocery checkers, the nurse, and dental hygienist are not included?

Who Should You Tip During the Holidays?

If you’re planning to give holiday gratuities, it’s essential to include them in your holiday spending plan. And that means starting to think about it now. Not sure where to begin? Here’s my personal benchmark for deciding: Can I afford to be without this person?

I don’t mean in a monetary sense. By “afford to be without,” I’m asking: How much does this person’s service impact my life? Do I depend on them in ways that would make their absence difficult or even unthinkable? If the answer is “yes,” then a tip is in order. It’s a tangible way to express gratitude for their service throughout the year.

Here’s how I personally approach tipping for specific roles:

  • Garbage Collector: This one’s easy for me. I don’t even know who my garbage collectors are! In our area, the big robotic truck does all the heavy lifting. While I appreciate the service, the driver isn’t someone I rely on personally. If he were to quit tomorrow, someone else would be behind the wheel by next week. Verdict: No tip.
  • Hairdresser: This is a different story. Mallorie has been my go-to for years, and we’ve reached that magical point where she just knows what to do. No guidance, no suggestions—I trust her completely. If she told me she was moving out of state, I’d be devastated. Mallorie makes my life better, and she deserves to know it. Verdict: $50 tip.
  • Yard Maintenance Team: We use a landscaping company, which is a nice perk of being out of debt. They do a good job, but they’re easily replaceable—there’s no shortage of similar services in our area. While I appreciate their work, it doesn’t warrant a personal tip. Verdict: No tip.
  • Pest Control Technician: Living in the land of wasps, pest control is non-negotiable. The company we use gets the job done at a fair price, and while I value their service, there’s nothing particularly unique about it. If they went out of business, I could find another company to do the same thing. Verdict: No tip.
  • Housekeeper: Ah, Raquel. What can I say? She’s an angel, a lifesaver, and practically family. Punctual, meticulous, and trustworthy, she keeps my home (and sanity) intact. She has a key to my house, and I’d trust her with my grandchildren. If Raquel were ever to leave, I’d be heartbroken—and I know from experience that no one else can live up to her standard of excellence. I gladly tip her $150, roughly equivalent to one visit. Update: When we moved, I lost Raquel, and my world hasn’t been the same. Five failed attempts later, I’ve officially thrown in the towel and gone back to cleaning myself. Raquel, if you’re reading this, know you are missed every single day. I aspire to your level of perfection—though I can only dream of reaching it.

Holiday Tipping: Suggested Amounts for Popular Services

Now that I’ve shared my personal tipping philosophy (soapbox moment complete!), here’s a more conventional tipping guide based on suggestions from so-called experts. Use this as a starting point, then tailor it to your means and what feels right to you.

First Things First: Questions to Consider

Before we dive into dollar amounts, think about these factors:

  • Quality of service: Have they consistently gone above and beyond?
  • Frequency of service: How often do you rely on their work?
  • Longevity: How long have you been using their services?
  • Local customs: Tipping traditions can vary by region.
  • Your budget: Generosity is wonderful, but not at the expense of your financial health.

Remember, tipping is entirely optional. There are no laws, rules, or even universally accepted standards—only customs and traditions. You’ve already paid for their services. Ask yourself: Did this person make my life significantly better this year? If the answer is a resounding yes, consider showing your gratitude in a way that feels authentic and doable.

Suggested Tipping Guidelines

Here are some commonly accepted recommendations. As always, adjust to your situation and comfort level.

  • Housekeeper: If they consistently do great work, the equivalent of one full cleaning is a thoughtful way to say thank you.
  • Postal Carrier: The U.S. Postal Service has strict rules: carriers can’t accept cash but may accept a gift valued under $20. Consider something small like a box of chocolates or baked goods. Bonus points for a heartfelt thank-you note to their supervisor!
  • Babysitter: For a regular sitter you trust with your little ones, a tip equal to two nights’ pay plus a small, thoughtful gift from the kids is a meaningful gesture.
  • Trash Collector: If you know your trash collector (lucky you, because my trash service is 100% robotic and faceless), a tip of $15–$20 is customary. If they’re friendly and reliable, a six-pack of something festive wouldn’t go amiss.
  • Newspaper Delivery: If you still get a physical newspaper delivered to your door (hello, nostalgia!), $15–$25 for daily delivery is common. For weekend-only delivery, consider $5–$15.
  • Hairdresser: Happy with your hairstylist? Consider tipping 15–20% of the bill from your last visit before the holidays, on top of the usual gratuity. A small gift is also a nice touch. Not happy? Time to find someone who gets you.
  • Door Personnel: If you live in a building with door staff, tipping depends on how much they’ve helped you throughout the year. A range of $25–$100 is typical, but in cities like New York, tips can go as high as $500 (yes, you read that right!).
  • Superintendent: For your building’s “super,” a tip of $20–$80 is customary. If they’ve been particularly attentive (say, always answering your calls on the first ring), you might want to aim toward the higher end to keep that goodwill flowing.

I hope this guide inspires you to show gratitude in a way that feels meaningful yet manageable. Remember, the most important part of tipping is the message behind it: Thank you for making my life a little easier, brighter, or more manageable this year.

 

Question: What’s your go-to way to say thank you to service providers during the holidays—cash, gifts, or something creative? Share your tips below.

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28 replies
  1. Angela says:

    The person I tip the most generouly is the newspaper delivery lady. She delivers almost 365 days a year and $15-$30 is not nearly enough. I can’t afford. $1 a day but I give her $.50 per day.
    I’m generous with my nail lady and tip her at each visit. My daughter cuts my hair and wants no tips but we’re generous at Christmas and Birthday’s.
    Love your column.

    Reply
  2. linda says:

    ‘ a six-pack of something festive wouldn’t go amiss.’
    that’s taking a chance. what if they are a recovering alcoholic?

    Reply
  3. linda says:

    my hair stylist and i go to the same church. ever since my husband died, she has not charged me for her services. i go for a haircut approximately every four months. just a trim, nothing elaborate. no perm, no color. she is the salon owner. i have not been tipping her, but whenever possible, i have been bringing baked goods for the break room and a knit her a scarf like one of mine that she admired. i haven’t been giving her money. should i? i know she and her family are much better off that i am. they have rental properties, her husband is working. my income is social security. i don’t know if that makes a difference or not.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Absolutely, Linda. How kind of this friend to support you in this way. I would suggest that often, you send her a note with a specific situation or expense you were able to cover due to her care and generosity. I think you are doing exactly right. You are the recipient of love in action, and that’s a wonderful thing.

      Reply
  4. RL says:

    We tip the three service people who provide the services we consider essential. Our hairdresser cuts my hair every 6 weeks and my husband’s hair every 3 weeks. At Christmas I give her a monetary gift equal to the combined cost of our haircuts plus what we tip, which comes to $150 this year. The driver for our trash collection service is also given a cash gift of $150. This man comes every week, in all weather conditions, and takes away our household trash and anything else that we put down by the road. We live in rural Colorado on acreage, and his dependable and considerate service is greatly appreciated. Finally, we give a smaller gift of $30 to $50 to the propane delivery driver, who comes several times a year to top off our propane tank. Several drivers share the route, so whoever comes in December gets the gift. We appreciate these folk, and want them to know we appreciate them and care about them.

    Reply
  5. Lida says:

    I am saying this without any rancor attached, but I give my stylist a generous tip at each visit. The cost of her services is incredibly high, so therefore is the tip, which is based on a percentage of the total cost. I do not feel that I need to give her an additional gift or tip at Christmas. I feel that the business that I provide regularly including the gratuity should be sufficient. I have read that this tipping mania seems exclusive to the United States.

    Reply
    • Paul says:

      Not at all… tipping in one form or another is near universal. My daughter is a hair dresser. She gets tips from customers. My son doesn’t. Why? He’s not customer facing.

      Reply
  6. Anne Marie H says:

    I am fortunate to have a good relationship with my post lady. She has done our route for years. She bends over backwards for me (and everyone on her route,) and gives me tips and practical information. She knows my whole family and gives my dog treats. I will weep the day she retires. She gets a little something every year.

    Reply
  7. Alice C says:

    Hi Mary,
    I agree that tipping all comes down to those services that you value most. I always tip my trash collector (not a mechanical robot). He always makes sure that my barrels are back in place with the lids on, and has even helped me carry a bookcase out to the curb. In response to the above comment about perhaps a gift of a six-pack for the trash collector, I agree that is in poor taste and demeaning.
    However, if you read Mary’s comments, you’ll note that these suggestions come from experts, not from Mary! I also tip my rural mail carrier because she provides great service and a cheerful smile!

    Reply
    • paul says:

      Poor taste? Demeaning? Au contraire it is much appreciated. But only at Xmas time. And you know how many six packs they would get? In my neck of the woods enough to last until next Christmas.

      Reply
  8. Kathleen A Nemyer says:

    I am a retired hairstylist (50 + years) and former salon owner. I always appreciated the tips I received. At Christmas, I gave free haircut coupons to be redeemed in the month of their birthday. It was always appreciated and by spreading it out, tied to their birthday, it was a great way to show appreciation and great PR for the year.

    Reply
  9. GAIL EVANS says:

    I have a different take on tipping. I agree with your one statement that tips exclude people such as a Dental Assistants, Day Care Workers, just to name a few. Many people mentioned that get big tips also get big money for the job they do, that is their job, and overtime pays them even more. I try to tip the underpaid people that everyone forgets, or you think their job is not important. now that I am venting, I also don’t tip the same for take out as i do inside. It takes them less than 5 minutes to deliver a meal. If I ate inside, they would wait on me much longer. Therefore in 5 minutes for take out they could deliver 10 meals at a tip of 2.00 to 3.00 and make 30.00.

    Reply
  10. Les says:

    Mary,
    I have followed your column since the internet existed. I have found a lot of useful information for you. I also agree that tipping a garage man Is not necessarily. However, I don’t with agree your comments about 50 other drivers bring available. I CDL isn’t the easiest to obtain and drivers of large vehicles protect everyone’s safety on the road. Think your last comment about buying a six pack tipping with a six pack was in very poor taste.
    Thank you for listening to my criticism!

    Reply
    • Paul says:

      As a New Zealander tipping by beer is customary. Has been for at least 50 years. It isn’t compulsory, but it is most certainly appreciated. The tax man can’t claim anything on it so from the point it is good. And they work damned hard to boot.

      Reply
  11. Dede says:

    Great article Mary, as are most of your tips and tricks! I feel you should also add pet groomers to the list. My groomer was out a while for maternity leave and I was devastated. This definitely puts her on my Christmas tip list. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you!!

    Reply
  12. Mitzi says:

    There is a bakery in Vienna, VA that sells a variety of British foods. It never was a restaurant, although i had noticed a “tip jar” on the counter. since the pandemic started,they now only sell frozen pasties, and there is not enough room inside, so you order, and they text that your order is ready, and you reach inside the door, and pick up your bag of frozen pastries. They had the arrogance to add a tip to their price, without asking if you phone it in. I don’t tip the butcher, nor the checkout in the grocery store. Why should I need to tip on my bakery order?

    Reply
    • Paul says:

      And the solution is… don’t patronise them. Inform them why. And most importantly inform all your neighbours and friends.

      Once they notice the decline in sales they will (hopefully) drop the tip. Probably the workers don’t get it anyway.

      Reply
  13. Susan says:

    I tip my hairdresser at each visit. At Christmas, I give her a gift card, a homemade gift that I know she likes, in addition to her regular tip. I have yet to receive a thank you. I would be happy with a text. Many of my friends get a sample shampoo or conditioner etc. Shouldn’t it be reciprocal?

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Well, this is difficult. I think it goes back to the reason you give a gift at all. If you give it with strings attached, (even if that “string” is the expectation of a Thank You note or other acknowledgment), is it a pure gift or is it manipulation? A true gift is given with nothing expected in return, but for the joy of it. If this bothers you to the point of angst, I suggest you stop. You have expectations that are not being met, so why torture yourself? Just my 2 cents 😉

      Reply
  14. Vicki Tavana says:

    With this pandemic I don’t eat inside restaurants,I call in or do online “to go” orders. Do I need to tip the person taking or bringing my order to me?

    Reply
  16. PH says:

    We tipped the people who have been delivering to our house throughout the pandemic this year – Amazon driver, UPS, FedEx. Do we know them? No; well, we recognize our UPS guy. But we are grateful for their services and we know they are working very hard, especially this year, and we are grateful for their efforts. Regardless of whether they are the exact same person each time, I believe that our recognition brought a bit of brightness to their day.

    Reply

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