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Holiday Tipping

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Real Estate Professionals

Finding just the right holiday gift for friends and family can be stressful. Add the question of whom to tip and how much, and you may be ready to throw up your hands in despair.

Here are a few suggestions:

Cleaning Person

The cost of one visit is considered fitting if he or she visits weekly or biweekly, says protocol adviser Rosanne Thomas. Increase the amount for someone who works more often. If you use a cleaning service that works as a team, a box of candy for the team is customary.

Dog Walker

Tip your regular dog walker up to a week's pay. Or you can substitute a gift for a cash tip, according to the Emily Post Institute. If you bring your pet to the same person year-round for grooming, you might consider tipping half the cost of a session or giving a gift, says Ramsey.

Hairstylist

The normal cost of a visit would be a nice tip for a stylist you see regularly. If you don’t require as much attention from your stylist or barber, you may prefer to give about $20 as a tip during your December visit. Remember: A lot depends on how long you've been with your stylist - a 20-year relationship trumps someone new

Letter Carrier

The U.S. Postal Service forbids mail carriers from accepting cash, and says gifts must be under $20 in value. A gift card or a basket of fruit, nuts or chocolates that could serve as an off-duty snack is acceptable. A glowing letter to a supervisor praising a carrier who was undeterred by snow, rain, heat or gloom of night may mean even more than a gift, says Peggy Post, author of Excuse Me, but I Was Next.

Newspaper Delivery Person

Consider giving $10 to $30, unless you tip regularly throughout the year. Then, you can give a smaller gift of a few dollars.

Personal Trainer

If you have an ongoing relationship with the professional and feel you have received above-average service, a tip of $50 or up to the cost of a session would be a nice thank-you around the holidays.

Gardener

If you have a lawn service team that tends your property on a regular basis you can write their company a letter of appreciation (especially if you do not know their names). If you have a personal gardener, a monetary gift is appropriate and can range from $20 to $100 depending on what you pay weekly or monthly.

Parking Attendant

If you are happy to entrust your car to this individual (or individuals) on a daily basis, a tip of $10-$40 each is appropriate.

Housekeeper

This is one area you don't want to mess up! You have a special relationship with a service provider who cleans your home or office. Gift bags and gift cards are always nice but if you know your housekeeper can use the money, the standard is tipping what you pay per visit.

graph 12-17-13Links to more ideas:

USA Today

Fox business

CNN Money

Kiplinger

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The Real Estate Professionals

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