Intercultural Etiquette Holiday Guide
By Sharon Schweitzer
While any time is a good time to show your appreciation for someone who regularly makes your life easier and more enjoyable, the holidays traditionally are the time to express your gratitude in the form of cash or a gift. By no means is holiday tipping mandatory, but giving a little something extra at the end of the year to someone who regularly provides you with a service is always appreciated.
When figuring out how much to tip and who to give it to, experts recommend taking the following into account:
- The relationship
- Your budget
When it comes to your holiday tipping list, caregivers should be at the top, as they’re not only an integral part of daily life for many, these folks often go above and beyond throughout the year. For suggestions on who — and how much — to tip at the end of the year, check out our expert-approved holiday tipping guide.
| PERSON | SUGGESTED TIP OR GIFT VALUE |
| Au Pair | 1-2 week’s pay and an optional small gift from kids |
| Babysitter | Average day/evening pay for regular sitters and an optional small gift from kids |
| Barber | Up to the cost of 1 session |
| Bartender | $20 for someone you see regularly |
| Building Porter / Janitor | $25-$100, depending on involvement |
| Building Superintendent | $100-$200, depending on involvement |
| Cleaning Company | An extra 20-80%, depending on duration of relationship |
| Cobbler | $10-$20 or a small gift for someone you see regularly |
| Coffee Shop Barista | $20 for someone you see regularly |
| Contractor | Don’t tip |
| Country Club Staff | $25-$50 for someone you see regularly |
| Daycare or Child Care Center Staff | Gift card worth around $20 or a small gift |
| Dentist | Don’t tip |
| Doctor | Don’t tip |
| Dog Boarder or Kennel Staff | Handmade or baked goods |
| Dog Daycare | 10-20% of your pet’s stay |
| Dog Sitter | $50-$200 in cash or gift card, depending on frequency |
| Dog Walker | $50-$200 in cash or gift card, depending on frequency |
| Doorman | $25-$100, depending on involvement |
| Driver / Limo Service | $20-$50 or 20% of monthly bill |
| Dry Cleaner | $10-$20 gift card or homemade goods |
| Errand Runner | $50 to 1 week’s pay, depending on how often you use |
| Fitness Instructor | Cost of 1 session or a small gift |
| Food Delivery (Local restaurants, Uber Eats, Doordash, etc.) | $20-$30 for someone you see regularly |
| Garbage Collector | $10-$30 per person |
| Gardener / Landscaper | $20-$30 |
| Gas Station Attendant | $10-$20 for someone you see regularly |
| Hairdresser or Colorist | Up to the cost of 1 session (or a gift if you tip well throughout the year) |
| Handyman / Handyperson | $25-$50 |
| House Cleaner | $20-Up to the cost of one visit |
| Housekeeper | An extra 20-80%, depending on duration of relationship |
| Kids’ Activities Instructor | Small gift from your kids or gift card |
| Kids’ Coach (Athletics) | Small gift from your kids or gift card |
| Live-In Help (housekeeper, senior care aide, nanny, chef, etc.) | 1-2 week’s pay |
| Mail Carrier | Non-cash gifts under $20 |
| Massage Therapist | Up to the cost of 1 session for someone you see regularly |
| Mother’s Helper | Average day’s pay for regular helper and a small gift from your kids |
| Nail Tech / Manicurist | Up to the cost of 1 session |
| Nanny | 1-2 week’s pay (possibly more if the nanny has been with you a long time). For new nannies, one day’s pay for each month of employment |
| Newspaper Carrier | $10-$30 |
| Nurse (in-home nurse, private nurse) | Small gift and a handwritten note |
| Nursing Home or Assisted Living Community Staff | Homemade gift or gift card |
| Package Delivery Person | Small, non-cash gift |
| Parking Garage Attendant | $10-$20 for someone you see regularly |
| Personal Assistant | Up to 1 week’s pay |
| Personal Chef | 1-2 week’s pay or cost of one session, depending on frequency |
| Personal Trainer | Cost of 1 session |
| Pet Daycare Staff | Handmade gift or baked goods |
| Pet Groomer | Up to the cost of 1 session |
| Pet Sitter | $50-$200 in cash or gift card, depending on frequency |
| Pet Trainer | Don’t tip |
| Physical Therapist | Don’t tip |
| Pool Cleaner | $25-$50 |
| Postal Worker / Mail Carrier | Food, such as baked goods, or non-cash gift worth less than $20 |
| School Bus Driver | Small, non-cash gift |
| Senior Care Aide | Up to 1 week’s pay or small gift |
| Snow Remover / Shoveler | $25 |
| Tailor | Small gift for someone you see regularly |
| Teacher | $25 gift card and/or small gift from your kids |
| Teacher’s Aide / Assistant | Small gift from your kids |
| Tutor | Cost of 1 session and small gift from your child, depending on frequency |
| Veterinarian | Don’t tip |
| Waiter / Waitress | $20-$40 for someone you see regularly |
| Yoga teacher / Instructor | Up to cost of 1 session or small gift for personal teacher; no need to tip group instructor |
Holiday tipping is not an obligation, but it is a nice gesture if you have the financial means. And at the end of a year which has been difficult for many households, a holiday tip can provide a much-needed boost to both a person’s morale and bank account.
Photo by realsimple.com
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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