Advice on Holiday Tipping - Who Do You Tip and How Much?

I patronize a smoothie cart in New York City nearly every morning. It is a small business run by a husband and wife. They are nice people. Over the last year, I have spent an estimated $700 with them. I am definitely a regular.

I tend not to tip because I am a regular customer and they can count on me almost daily Monday - Friday. I witnessed another regular customer purchase $3 box of cut fruit and then droppeing a $20 bill in the tip box. Even the business owner was surprised. This gentleman is a regular customer, but he said it was the holidays and it was "that time of the year." I do not think excessive tipping is appropriate for businesses you patronize on a daily basis. Rather, I think tips should be reserved for people who work hard to make us comfortable.

Tipping everyone who helps you can become quite taxing on the wallet. Here are some tips suggestions for the people who make our lives easier:

Baby sitter - One night's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
Full-time nanny - One week to one month of pay based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
Day care service - $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.
Teacher -A $25 gift certificate is always appropriate. If you are unsure, ask your principal first.
Coaches, tutors, dance instructors, music teachers - A small gift from your child.

Maid - One week's pay. If you use a service and never know who is coming out, don't tip at all.
Gardener - $20-50 If you use a service and never know who is coming out, don't tip at all.
Garbage collector(s)- $15-30 each. If your garbage collectors are really truck drivers who operate an arm that does all the work, there is no need to tip.

Country Club - Tipping at Christmas/holiday season is appropriate regardless of the club's tipping policy. $50 for your special waiters, locker-room personnel, front-desk employees and golf professionals. For headwaiters or special service, make it $100.
Regular Parking attendants - $10-20 each
Driver/limousine service - $20-50 each - If this is your regular driver tip 20% of a month's bill.

Apartment building superintendent - $50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.
Apartment Doorman/concierge - $10-80 or more each, depending upon building. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.
Apartment building handyman - $15-40 each
Apartment building elevator operators - $15-40 each

Shampoo - $10
Manicurist/pedicurist - Cost of 1 session ($15 or more)
Hairdresser/stylist - Cost of 1 session ($15 or more)
Massage therapist - Cost of 1 session $15 or more
Personal trainer - $60-100 upon reaching goal, or cost of 1 session

USPS Mail carrier - Non-cash gifts not to exceed the value of $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly.*
UPS - Regular driver Has no formal policy. Drivers don't expect tips but can accept them.
FedEx - Not allowed to accept anything over the value of $75. No cash gifts accepted.
Newspaper carrier Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10
Regular overnight delivery person - $10-30





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