How Much Should You Tip During the Holidays, According To Etiquette Experts

Gifting is my love language; finding something unique and useful for the folks in my life is a great way to show appreciation. While my friends and family are at the top of the Christmas list, what about my hair stylist who saved me from that atrocious bang cut or the UPS delivery man who protects my packages from the rain? What's the polite way to show appreciation to these everyday service providers, and does everyone need to be tipped? To answer these questions, we spoke with etiquette experts Dianne Gottsman and Jodi Smith about the proper protocol for these tricky situations.

Should Your Tip Increase During The Holidays?

Yes, your tip should increase during the holidays, but all service providers don’t need to be included. Smith explains, “Those providers whose services you use all year should be given an end-of-year tip.” If you get a monthly manicure, hire a weekly babysitter, or employ a daily dog walker, these are the folks you would want to give a larger tip to during the holidays. “We want to show appreciation for a job well done to the people who help keep our lives running smoothly. Tipping appropriately can’t hurt to ensure continued good work going forward,” says Smith. 

While you may feel extra generous, you don’t need to increase your tip at restaurants during the holidays, according to Diane Gottsman. “Gratuity to service providers does not necessarily need to increase during the holidays, which means that if you go to a restaurant, you would leave the standard tip," says Gottsman,

How Much Should You Tip Service Providers?

Consider how often you use the service to determine the tip size. Service providers that you regularly used throughout the year should receive the cost of one service. Smith explains, “If you go to the hairdresser every month and one cut costs $100, you’ll tip $100. If you pay your dog walker $50/week, the year-end tip would be $50.” For folks whose services you use infrequently, for example, a yard worker or landscaper, tip 10-20% of the total cost of the year’s services. For example, if you have your snow removed three times and the price is $50 per service, the full service cost is $150. An appropriate year-end tip would be $15-$30.

Who Should Be Included?

Any service provider you regularly visit or employ should receive an end-of-the-year tip. This includes personal services (including hairdressers, manicurists, or masseuses), folks who help around the home (including cleaners, door attendants, or yard workers) and anyone who helps with your dependents (babysitters, dog walkers, and home health care aids).

Who Shouldn't Be Tipped?

While many people help make our lives run smoothly, it’s not always appropriate or welcome to tip them. “Certain professions are not allowed to accept cash tips, such as the mail carrier and sometimes garbage collectors or teachers. For others, it would be a faux pas to send a cash tip, like for professionals such as doctors, dentists, plumbers, or electricians,” explains Smith. Instead, send a thoughtful gift to show your appreciation. 

Mail carriers and delivery people are prohibited from receiving tips, but you may want to show appreciation with a small gift or gift card of no more than $20.

According to Smith, if the service provider owns their business, they don’t receive an end-of-year tip. “They should already be charging appropriately for their services. Give a small gift and send them new clients,” she says.

Is Gifting Appropriate?

Whether you gift or tip, the choice is up to you, according to Gottsman. “The key is to know the individual and give them a gift that reflects their taste. If you know your hairstylist loves coffee, and your budget does not allow you to leave a monetary tip, finding a great coffee at a local discount store and adding a loaf of your famous pumpkin bread would be a kind and memorable gesture,” she says. 

Refrain from regifting or purchasing any overly personal items, like pajamas or pieces of art, or anything that requires additional work to assemble. According to Smith, handmade items such as baked goods or knitted items should not replace a tip.