Christmas tipping, which has its own Tipping Etiquette guidelines, is discretionary. If you plan on tipping for Christmas but aren’t quite sure of how much to tip or who to tip, there are a few things to consider. Keep in mind, who to tip and who not to tip at Christmas is entirely up to you, and not everyone who provides services are equally deserving a tip or the same “customary” amount.

If you are one of many who feels that tipping at Christmas is stupid and unnecessary, then by all means don’t tip. We are not people who believe there is a moral obligation to give Christmas tips. For those of you who are planning to tip; here are some tipping guidelines to consider:

Christmas Tip – For Who and How Much?

* Babysitter: One evening’s pay, plus a small gift from your child.
* Barber: Cost of one haircut, and/or gift.
* Beauty salon/hairstylist: $10 to $60 each, giving most to those who provide the most service.
* Child’s teacher: Give a gift, not cash. Consider a Gift Certificate; fruit basket or picture frame.
* Daycare Services: $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.
* Dog walker: One week’s pay and/or a gift.
* Doormen/Concierge: $10 to $80 each, with a bigger tip for the doormen who serves you more.
* Garage attendants and newspaper deliverer: $10 to $30 each.
* Housekeeper: One day’s pay.
* Mail carrier: Gifts up to $20 each, but no cash. *See the rules below for giving Christmas tips to USPS workers below. Only tip your regular mail carrier that you know and see regularly.
* Nanny/Au pair: One week’s to one month’s salary based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
* Personal trainer – $60-100 upon reaching goal.
* Super: $25 to $100.
* Doorman: $10 to $80.
* Handyman: $15 to $40.
* Trash collector: $10 to $30 each (for private service); for municipal service, check local regulations.

Christmas Tipping Mail Carriers

According to USPS, the rules and regulations about Christmas tipping mail carriers are as follows:

While many Postal Service™ customers have traditionally thanked their mail carrier with gifts of cash during the holiday season, this practice puts our employees at risk of violating federal law. The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (Standards), specifies that Postal Service employees may not accept gifts from outside sources (including Postal Service customers) or gifts given to them because of their official positions. Postal Service employees are also prohibited from soliciting gifts from outside sources.

There are a number of exceptions and exclusions to the general gifts rule. Postal Service employees may accept the following items:

* Snacks and beverages that are not offered as part of a meal.
* Items with little intrinsic value (i.e., greeting cards, plaques, pens, coffee mugs, etc.).
* Perishable items (i.e., flowers, chocolates, cookies, etc.).
* Items with a market (retail) value of $20 or less.
* Gifts motivated solely because of a personal relationship.
* Gifts for which the employee has paid market (retail) value.
* Gifts paid for by the Postal Service.

Postal Service employees may not accept cash – in any amount or form (bills, checks, money orders) – from an outside source. For further information, please contact the U.S. Postal Service Law Department’s Ethics Helpline at 202-268-6346