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Holiday Tipping Guide - Who To Pay & How Much by Leander McClain, Realtor

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Real Estate Agent

Who To Pay & How Much

It's that time of year again.  I had a few questions about tipping, so I decided to share what I found.  This list is by no means complete.  However, it should be a good guideline to get you started.  If people work hard for you throughout the year, remember to share the love at holiday time.

   

 Holiday Tip Guide  
Maid one week's pay. This is for maids whom you pay directly. If you use a service and never know who is coming out, don't tip at all.
Gardener $20-50.
USPS Mail Carrier Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly. Read more below.
UPS Regular driver - $15.
FedEX Not allowed to accept cash gifts, but a gift up to $25 in value is permissible.
Shampoo $10
Manicurist $15 or more
Hairdresser $15 or more
Massage Therapist $15 or more.
Newspaper Carrier Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10
Teacher $25-100. 
Coaches Coaches, tutors, ballet instructors, music teachers - A small gift from your child.
Garbage Collector $15-30 each
Baby Sitter One night's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
Nanny (FT) One week's to one month's pay based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
Au Pair One week's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
Day Care Service $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.
Parking Attendants $10-20 each
Personal Trainer $60-100 upon reaching goal.
Dog Groomer 1/4 - 1/2 cost of a session.
Dog Walker 1-2 week's pay.
   
  While many Postal ServiceTM 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.  For further information, please contact the U.S. Postal Service® Law Department's Ethics Helpline at 202-268-6346, or send an email message to ethics.help@usps.gov .

Have a Great Day

Make This YOUR Best Year Ever


Leander McClain, Burlington /Camden County, NJ Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, Keller Williams Realty, 1814 Route 70 E Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-685-1677 Direct

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Comments(13)

Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Nice guide, Leander!  Thank you!  I have a question for you - do you tip at restaurants where you order carry out?  I'm not talking about during the holidays, but regularly. They make the food, bag it, and you come in and pick it up.  I never know what to do when I pay with my debit card, and there's that line for the tip!

Dec 15, 2009 05:03 AM
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

Thanks for the guide Leander.  My wife and I were just discussing how much to tip our dog groomer and paper carrier, and now we have the answer. 

Dec 15, 2009 05:06 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

that's a great list and a wonderful reminder! Happy Holidays to you!

Dec 15, 2009 05:37 AM
Leander McClain
North East, MD
Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Melissa,

I know exactly the situation you are talking about. I have been to a place like that twice.  The first time, I thought "of course I dont tip, this is takeout".  But then I noticed that the staff actions indicated that someone was looking for a tip.  The next time, I tipped, but I still dont think I should have to.  This is a tough one

Dec 15, 2009 05:49 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Thanks Leander - the list is great and it's a great reminder for us NOT to forget these people who take care of us through out the year!

Dec 15, 2009 07:50 AM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Hi Leander, Thanks for the list and the reminder.  Will I be seeing you at raincamp?

Dec 15, 2009 10:42 AM
Bill Jones
Discovery Real Estate Ltd. - "Homes By Jones" - Airdrie, AB
Realtor (403-701-1739) Airdrie & Calgary Area Homes and Condos

Thanks for the detailed list Leander,  Hmmm, how much should your Realtor get Tipped ;)

Bill

Dec 15, 2009 03:38 PM
Leander McClain
North East, MD
Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Bill - Tipping your realtor sounds like a good thing to me.  Maybe you and I can start that rumor...lol

Leah - Hey honey, not sure if I will be at raincamp or not.  I did get a phone call about it though :)

Lee & Pam - I have been blessed, so I like to share the blessing

Dec 16, 2009 01:41 AM
Leander McClain
North East, MD
Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Bill - Tipping your realtor sounds like a good thing to me.  Maybe you and I can start that rumor...lol

Leah - Hey honey, not sure if I will be at raincamp or not.  I did get a phone call about it though :)

Lee & Pam - I have been blessed, so I like to share the blessing

Dec 16, 2009 01:41 AM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Leander,

Good thing I don't have animals to be groomed or walked; could get expensive.

Dec 16, 2009 04:38 PM
Deena Cottingham
GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography - Calgary, AB
Home Stager & Photographer

The holidays are a great time to remember all those people who contribute to our lives throughout the year (thanking them along the way is not a bad idea, too!). However, I have to say, I feel just a little broke after reading that list! That may be offset, though, from the tips I could expect from my family for cooking, cleaning, driving, delivering . . .

Dec 22, 2009 04:35 AM
Leander McClain
North East, MD
Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Deena,

I hear you.  After I did this post, I realized that there were several more people I owed tips to....lol

Oh well, its only money.

Have a great holiday

 

 

Dec 22, 2009 06:42 AM
Diana Lyons
Blacksburg, VA

Thanks for the "tips" Leander :)  Most of these folks go unappreciated throughout the year. Just think how we feel when a client gives us a gift...we never forget!

Dec 28, 2009 12:12 AM