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 company 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.