The holiday season is prime time to tip the people who make your life easier throughout the year.

Don't bust your budget to tip, but consider giving -- and even giving a little extra -- if you can manage it. Not only is it the season to do so, but you also may find a little bonus in it for you: A provider you tip generously will be more likely to treat you better in the coming year by, say, slipping you in for an appointment at the last minute or giving you extra services free.

And be sure not to tip unnecessarily. For example, "you don't tip 'professionals' that are on salary or charge large hourly rates and don't rely on gratuity as part of their income," says Diane Gottsman (www.dianegottsman.com), national etiquette expert. Your doctors, lawyers, accountants and real estate agents might fall into this category. In fact, some high earners might be a bit insulted by such a gesture. If you feel compelled to thank them, a gift (such as home-baked goods, a bottle of wine or chocolates) is okay.

Scroll through our slide show to find out how much green you should tuck into each card -- and who else might be unable, unhappy or unwilling to accept the cash.

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Your Guide to Holiday Tipping

Suggested Tip:
Just a gift

The U.S. Postal Service forbids carriers from accepting cash gifts. A gift card or a basket of fruit, nuts or chocolates that could serve as an off-duty snack is acceptable. But gifts must be under $20 in value.

You could also throw in a glowing letter to a supervisor praising a carrier who was undeterred by snow, rain, heat or gloom of night. Such praise may mean even more than a gift, says Peggy Post, author of Excuse Me, But I Was Next.

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1. Your Mail Carrier

Suggested Tip:
$25 to $100 each

Consider opening your wallet for the person who opens your apartment or co-op entrance door all year long.

The higher end of our suggested range, or even more if you're feeling extra-generous, is for those who help you the most or provide exceptional service (think heavy grocery-bag luggers or expert taxi-cab hailers). And in high-end neighborhoods (hello, Upper East Side), doormen might be used to pocketing bigger tips.

But check with your building association first. You may be able to contribute to a collective fund that will be distributed appropriately to staff members.

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2. Your Doorman

Suggested Tip:
$10 to $30

If you tip regularly throughout the year, give your newsie just a few dollars. Or instead of cash, you can give a small gift, according to the Emily Post Institute.

Many newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, offer the option of giving a tip to your delivery person online through your subscriber account. But even if you go digital with your tip, you might consider giving your carrier a nice note -- both to express your appreciation and to ensure he knows you tipped him.

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3. Your Newspaper-Delivery Person

Suggested Tip:
At least a week's pay, plus a small gift from your child

As someone who works closely with you and your child, your nanny or au pair should be at the top of your tip list. Consider adding a week's pay to the tip for each year the nanny has worked for you, says Jodi R.R. Smith, president of etiquette consultant Mannersmith.

For your regular babysitter -- someone you've had watch the kids frequently throughout the year or for last-minute emergencies -- one or two nights' pay is appropriate.

A day-care provider might deserve $25 to $70, but check with the facility's policies first.

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4. Your Childcare Provider

Suggested Tip:
$10 to $30 each

You might hear them coming and going every trash day. But instead of rolling over and hitting the snooze button, around this time of year, consider throwing on your fuzzy slippers and bathrobe and catching some face time with your trash collectors. You should hand them their tips in an envelope with a nice note or holiday card directly.

But check on the rules for your municipality. Some jurisdictions forbid workers from accepting cash, according to the Emily Post Institute.

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5. Your Trash and Recycling Collectors

Suggested Tip:
A thoughtful gift

A tip for a teacher could look like a bribe. But a small gift accompanied by a note or drawing from your child is a nice thank-you for an educator's hard work.

Or pool your resources with other parents to buy the teacher a gift card. “A teacher doesn't need another mug,” says etiquette expert Smith. Just be sure to first check the policies of your child's school: If gifts are forbidden, a note of appreciation is always appropriate.

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6. Your Child's Teacher

Suggested Tip:
The cost of one visit

This amount is considered fitting if he or she visits weekly or biweekly, says Rosanne Thomas, president of Protocol Advisors, an etiquette consulting firm. 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.

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7. Your Regular Cleaning Person

Suggested Tip:
The cost of one visit

If you have multiple salon staff members who work on your 'do (if, say, one person shampoos and another person cuts), the Emily Post Institute says to divide the cost of one visit between them proportionately. And consider including a small gift for a stylist who doubles as a confidant.

If you don't regularly visit your salon or barbershop throughout the year, you may prefer to give about $20 as a tip during your December visit. And if you tip generously throughout the year, it's okay to forgo the year-end tip, says Mary M. Mitchell, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette.

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8. Your Regular Hairstylist or Barber

Suggested Tip:
Up to a week's pay

For a dog walker, one day's pay is appropriate, unless he or she walks your dog five days a week or more, says Smith of Mannersmith. In that case, give up to a week's pay or a small gift. Or you can substitute a gift for a cash tip, according to the Emily Post Institute.

Also, 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.

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9. Your Regular Dog Walker

Suggested Tip:
A personal gift

A special treat, such as homemade cookies or fudge, is a good way to thank someone who has been exceptionally kind and attentive, says protocol adviser Thomas.

But be sure to check the policies. At some facilities, workers may be tipped through a fund run by the central administrator; at others, gifts and tips may be banned.

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10. Your Favorite Nursing-Home Worker

Suggested Tip:
$50 or up to the cost of one session

After sweating it out with your trainer all year long, you might find you've become quite close with him.

Etiquette expert Charlotte Ford suggests this generous tip especially if you have an ongoing relationship with the professional and believe you have received above-average service. Besides, you might need him to give your sessions a bit of a boost after you've gobbled up some of those holiday feasts and treats.

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11. Your Personal Trainer

Suggested Tip:
$15 to $50

For a handyman in your apartment building who makes repairs for you regularly, a tip is a nice gesture. But be sure to check your building association's policy before tipping any of its workers. Some may collect lump sums from residents and then divvy up the contributions between the appropriate people.

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12. Your Building's Handyman

Suggested Tip:
The cost of one visit

Especially for someone you see regularly throughout the year, it's a small price to pay for her year-long gift to you -- some peace of mind and physical rehabilitation and relaxation. Or you could substitute the extra cash with a nice gift.

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13. Your Massage Therapist

Suggested Tip:
A nice gift and a handshake

Golf or tennis pros at clubs are salaried employees and do not expect a tip for their services. In fact, they might even be insulted by such a gesture, says etiquette expert Gottsman.

But after improving your game by another year's worth of lessons, you might consider getting her a thoughtful gift or batch of baked goods to show your appreciation. Same goes for your kids' various instructors.

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14. Your Golf or Tennis Pro

QUIZ: Who Should You Tip for the Holidays?

SPECIAL REPORT: Smart Holiday Spending

SLIDE SHOW: 13 Ways to Waste Money During the Holidays

SLIDE SHOW: What Not to Buy During the Holidays

QUIZ: The Travel Tipping Quiz

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