December 16, 2022

LULU and LATTE’S GUIDE TO TIPPING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The famous question this time of year is “how much do I tip the hairdresser, the nanny, the garbageman, etc?” Obviously, everybody should tip what they are most comfortable giving to their service provider. Tipping also depends on length of time they have been working with/for you, the quality and frequency, the relationship, and, of course, your budget. If your budget does not allow for tips, consider homemade gifts or a heartfelt thank you note. Here are some guidelines to help make this process a tad bit easier.

FULL DOMESTIC HELP (nanny, cook, personal caregiver)

A month’s pay plus a small gift

HOUSEKEEPER

Depending on how often they come will determine the gift amount. Meaning if they come once a week and you pay them $100, the tip should be $100 (double what you pay them). If they come daily, the tip is equivalent to a week’s pay.

HAIR DRESSER /BARBER

Double the cost of a haircut or a gift. So if a haircut is $80, the tip is $80.

LASH TECHNICIAN

Double your normal tip or give 10% extra

WAXER

Double your normal tip or give 10% extra

BABYSITTER

Double the cost of an evening’s pay. So if a night out runs you $100, the tip is $100 plus its nice to give a small gift from the kids if you are so inclined.

DAYCARE PROVIDER

$25-$50 for each staff member who works with your child.

PERSONAL TRAINER

If you are not having a kid with him/her (that was meant to be funny – White Lotus reference), the tip should be the amount of one session or an equivalent gift.

NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON

$10-25 depending on how generous you are feeling.

USPS

$10-$25. Please note it is USPS policy that giving cash, VISA, MasterCard, or gift cards that may be used as cash are prohibited per USPS’s Employee Tipping and Gift Receiving Policy.