Holiday Tipping

[azguy]

I'd love to hear some opinions on how much to tip for the Holidays.

My barber: I get my hair cut twice a month, it's $21 and I leave a $6 tip. He's been my barber for 16 years, he'll come in early and stay late in the event I can't get in during business hrs.

My cleaning lady: cleans my condo every 2 weeks, $180 a month. She cleans my office too. Weekly $500 a month.

Thanks,

[Angrypuppy]

$100 to each our Gardner and house keeper. Both come every other week.

$5 Starbucks gift cards to other random people. Teachers, coworkers etc.

[mjclark32]

Ah the holiday season aka the season of tipping. It's endless.
Give them each a $50 and call it a day. Consider yourself lucky if that's all you've got to tip

[azguy]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Consider yourself lucky if that's all you've got to tip

I am lucky, I live a quiet and reclusive life

[mapalfa]

Bloody glad we don't have the tip everyone bug that's infected the USA.

That way when I do give someone a gift for good service it's appreciated and not expected.

[DrWapenshaw]

Just gave my cleaning ladies each a 20$ as they were walking out the door. They were very happy about it. I had to run to catch them as they didn't expect anything..... on the other hand.....They should be happy with whatever they get. Then I saw this post.
I have no idea how much they make as I don't pay them because my wife is the one who takes care of that type of stuff, they only come every two weeks.

[droptopman]

Traditionally I do a Starbucks coffee cup or cold cup and gift cards for my support staff and other associates. Change it up every year. They seem to like it.

For service folks, straight cash...usually $50-100 depending on who and how happy we are with the service.

[azguy]

I had read somewhere that a regular household employee should get 2 weeks compensation at the Holidays

[cdmorenot]

For your cleaning lady, slip her two hundred in cash. My mother used to clean houses for a living when we first moved to the states and you have NO IDEA how handy that cash is.

For your barber, give him a bottle of his favorite Whisky or throw him a fifty!

[rolexgiants]

I live in a big building in Manhattan... 50 staff! The tips never end! LOL

[Pix]

I make a donation in their name to the Human fund.

[utc66]

Considering all the boxes we get delivered to the house including a humongous box for a car bumper (it was the size of a piano). I definitely want to tip my mailman this year! I'm also tipping my dog walker (a week's pay).

Also my daughter's school bus driver and aid, we made brownies and target gift card. They didn't expect it and were so grateful. They don't make much money and have to work painfully early and long hours.

It feels good to show appreciation and I really do appreciate their help throughout the year.

[bayerische]

My cleaning lady is my wife.... I guess I'll have to ask her how much I should tip her.

[77T]

The more I appreciate long-term efforts and support from valued service providers and personal assistants, the more I tend to gift. In the past I'd get actual gifts but over time I felt cash was better. Call me strange but I've always pegged the general cash value at the current cost of the gifts I used to buy. For example a Harry & David's gift was $20-30 ten years ago now tops $50.

Our list has been long and regular for many years - letter carrier, UPS and FEDEX drivers, housekeepers, landscapers, lawn services, pest services, systems techs, etc. + personal care professionals.

So we don't have a separate set of rules. Some exceptional cases receive more valuable gifts - like my Mom's physical therapy team who went way beyond the call of professional service to make her happy during their efforts. Last year their gifts topped the list.

[Soly20]

Whatever you decide, make it cold hard cash. No gift cards or anything like that.

[colpol]

Originally Posted by mapalfa

Bloody glad we don't have the tip everyone bug that's infected the USA.

That way when I do give someone a gift for good service it's appreciated and not expected.

Agree. Don't understand it. The school bus driver ....... jeez !

[SMD]

Originally Posted by rolexgiants

I live in a big building in Manhattan... 50 staff! The tips never end! LOL

Never knew the difference between porters, doorman, super, handyman and janitors until I moved to NY. Always move in Jan so that you can free-ride for the year. We moved in Nov and, believe me, there is no such thing as pro rating. Tips are always about the future not the past.

[crew]

Originally Posted by azguy

I had read somewhere that a regular household employee should get 2 weeks compensation at the Holidays

I have traditionally gone with 1 weeks, or 1 service's charge, as my guide to tipping during the holidays. I may rethink this. I do think, though, that length of service influences the amount.

[OmegaJJH]

I need staff

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by azguy

I had read somewhere that a regular household employee should get 2 weeks compensation at the Holidays

Agreed.

[azguy]

To follow-up I gave the cleaning lady $300 and the barber $100, Merry Christmas

[theloxmyth]

Hair = $50.00

Waste Management men (outside with cash in hand at 6am) = $50.00

CPA = Lunch

My insurance people = Edible Arrangements

Any others = Wine

My regular customers (corporate) are most often prohibited from accepting gifts from vendors. These folks get a personal "Thank You!" from me.

Merry merry!