Monday, December 14, 2009

Thanks, Dr. Phil!

So ... if you're a person/family with a nanny, doorman, elevator operator, nurse or housekeeper and anyone gets a haircut or a massage, or you have your trash/recycling picked up ... you have a pool, a pet and get mail* or packages, the holidays could cost you a bundle!

Tipping Guide
(for more information, go here)

Service Provider-Options-Suggested Amount or Gift

Au pair or live-in nanny - Cash or consider a gift. This person works closely with your family, and you probably know them well. - One week’s pay and a gift from your child(ren).
Regular babysitter - Cash - One evening’s pay and a small gift from your child(ren).
Day care provider - Cash or a gift for each staff member who works with your child(ren). -
A gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member, and a small gift from your child(ren).
Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper) - Cash and a personal gift - One week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.
Private nurse - Gift - A thoughtful gift from you.
Home health employees - Check with agency first about gifts or tipping policies. If there is a no gifts/tipping policy, consider a donation to the agency. - A thoughtful gift from you. (If gift-giving is not against company policy.)
Housekeeper/Cleaner - Cash and/or a gift - Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift.
Nursing home employees - A gift (not cash). Check policy first. - A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).
Barber - Cash or gift - Cost of one haircut or a gift.
Beauty salon staff - Cash or gift depending on whether you tip well after each service.
The cost of one salon visit divided for each staff member who works with you. - Give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you.
Personal trainer - Cash or gift - Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Massage therapist - Cash or gift - Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Pet groomer - Cash or gift (if the same person grooms your pet all year). - Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
Dog walker - Cash or gift - Up to one week’s pay or a gift.
Personal caregiver - Cash or gift - Between one week to one month’s salary or a gift.
Pool cleaner - Cash or gift - The cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.
Garage attendants - Cash or small gift - $10-$30 or a small gift
Newspaper delivery person - Cash or small gift - $10-$30 or a small gift
Mail carrier - Small gift only
(Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s gift regulations.*)
Package deliverer
Small gift only, no cash. (Only if you receive regular deliveries.) - Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts.
Superintendent
Cash or gift
$20-$80 or a gift
Doorman - Cash or gift - $15-$80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.
Elevator operator - Cash or gift - $15-$40 each
Handyman - Cash or gift - $15 to $40
Trash/Recycling collectors - Cash or gift (for private) check city regulations if it is a municipal service. - $10-$30 each
Yard/Garden worker - Cash or gift - $20-$50 each
Teachers - Gift (not cash) - A small gift or note from you as well as a small gift from your child.

*United States Postal Service Gift Regulations:
Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service are allowed to accept the following items during the holiday season:
• Snacks and beverages or perishable gifts that are not part of a meal.
• Small gifts that have little intrinsic value (travel mugs, hand warmers, etc…) and are clearly no more than $20 in value.
• Perishable items clearly worth more (large fruit baskets or cookie tins) must be shared with the entire branch.
Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service may not accept the following:
• Cash gifts, checks, gift cards, or any other form of currency.

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