Quiz Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? By Lisa Gerstner, Contributing Editor | Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Miriam Cross, Associate Editor | Kiplinger's Personal Finance Updated December 2, 2019 Thinkstock The beginning of the holiday season is prime time to tip the people who make your life easier throughout the year. But be sure not to bust your budget by giving too much or tipping unnecessarily. Take our quiz to find out who might expect a tip and how much green you should tuck into each card — as well as who might be unhappy or unwilling to accept the cash. Start Quiz Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 1 of 10 How much should you tip your mail carrier? A. $10 to $20 B. $40 to $60 C. A gift card of up to $20 Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 1 of 10 How much should you tip your mail carrier? A. $10 to $20B. $40 to $60C. A gift card of up to $20 The U.S. Postal Service forbids carriers from accepting cash. Any gifts must be worth less than $20, and you can't give your mail carrier more than $50 worth of gifts in one calendar year. You can give them a gift card (as long as it cannot be redeemed for cash). You could also throw in a glowing... Read more ˅ The U.S. Postal Service forbids carriers from accepting cash. Any gifts must be worth less than $20, and you can't give your mail carrier more than $50 worth of gifts in one calendar year. You can give them a gift card (as long as it cannot be redeemed for cash). 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, director of the Emily Post Institute. Less ˄ Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 2 of 10 How much should you tip your baby's daycare provider? A. $10 to $20 B. At least a week's pay, plus a small gift from your child C. The amount you pay for a week of care (at least) Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 2 of 10 How much should you tip your baby's daycare provider? A. $10 to $20B. At least a week's pay, plus a small gift from your child As someone who works closely with you and your child, your child-care provider should be at the top of your tip list. For a beloved nanny, consider giving up to a week's pay along with a special gift from your child. A weekend babysitter may deserve one or... Read more ˅ As someone who works closely with you and your child, your child-care provider should be at the top of your tip list. For a beloved nanny, consider giving up to a week's pay along with a special gift from your child. A weekend babysitter may deserve one or two nights' pay. If someone has worked with you for several years or has provided outstanding service, you may bump up the amount. Less ˄ C. The amount you pay for a week of care (at least) Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 3 of 10 How much should you tip your regular hairstylist or barber? A. The cost of one visit B. 20% of the total cost of all your visits throughout the year C. A lock of your hair Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 3 of 10 How much should you tip your regular hairstylist or barber? A. 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. ... Read more ˅ 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 regularly 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. But, in that case, she says, "By all means give a small token of gratitude, perhaps chocolates or a nice bottle of wine." And a handwritten note of appreciation is always in order. Less ˄ B. 20% of the total cost of all your visits throughout the yearC. A lock of your hair Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 4 of 10 How much should you tip your regular dog groomer? A. Up to the cost of a session B. A tub full of chew toys C. No tip Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 4 of 10 How much should you tip your regular dog groomer? A. Up to the cost of a session If you bring your pet to the same person year-round for grooming, either half or up to the full cost of a session is appropriate. Or a personal gift may suffice. For a dog walker, you might consider tipping one day's pay, unless he or she walks your dog five days a week... Read more ˅ If you bring your pet to the same person year-round for grooming, either half or up to the full cost of a session is appropriate. Or a personal gift may suffice. For a dog walker, you might consider tipping one day's pay, unless he or she walks your dog five days a week or more, says Jodi R. R. Smith, president of etiquette consultant 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. Less ˄ B. A tub full of chew toysC. No tip Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 5 of 10 How much should you tip your accountant? A. $80 to $100 B. 5% of the tax refund you expect him to get you C. No tip Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 5 of 10 How much should you tip your accountant? A. $80 to $100B. 5% of the tax refund you expect him to get youC. No tip Don't pass cash to your lawyer, doctor or accountant — tips are generally for people in certain areas of the service industry, such as hospitality. If you feel compelled to thank them, a gift (such as home-baked goods, a bottle of wine or chocolates) is okay. Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 6 of 10 How much should you tip your building’s doorman? A. $10 to $20 B. $25 to $100 C. An ornamental doorstop Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 6 of 10 How much should you tip your building’s doorman? A. $10 to $20B. $25 to $100 A tip is a nice way to reward anyone who helps you in your apartment or condo building. But check your building association's policy before tipping any of its workers. If you're free to tip as you please, a doorman, as well as a superintendent, should get about $25 to $100 each (... Read more ˅ A tip is a nice way to reward anyone who helps you in your apartment or condo building. But check your building association's policy before tipping any of its workers. If you're free to tip as you please, a doorman, as well as a superintendent, should get about $25 to $100 each (higher tips are for those who help you the most or provide exceptional service yearlong). For a handyman who makes repairs regularly, consider giving $20 to $100; a custodian may deserve $20 to $50. Less ˄ C. An ornamental doorstop Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 7 of 10 How much should you tip your regular cleaning person? A. A gift basket of cleaning supplies B. The cost of one visit C. A month's pay Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 7 of 10 How much should you tip your regular cleaning person? A. A gift basket of cleaning suppliesB. 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 or has been providing you service for several years. Likewise, you could cut it for som... Read more ˅ 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 or has been providing you service for several years. Likewise, you could cut it for someone you tip throughout the year or whose services haven't been outstanding. Less ˄ C. A month's pay Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 8 of 10 How much should you tip your child's teacher? A. $25 to $50 B. $100 to $200 C. A small gift Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 8 of 10 How much should you tip your child's teacher? A. $25 to $50B. $100 to $200C. A small 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. Just be sure to first check the policies of your child's school... Read more ˅ 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. Just be sure to first check the policies of your child's school: If gifts are forbidden, a note of appreciation is always appropriate. Less ˄ Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 9 of 10 How much should you tip your personal trainer? A. $15 to $40 B. $50 or up to the cost of one session C. No tip Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 9 of 10 How much should you tip your personal trainer? A. $15 to $40B. $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. Consider 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 s... Read more ˅ After sweating it out with your trainer all year long, you might find you've become quite close with him. Consider 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. Less ˄ C. No tip Next Question Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 10 of 10 How much should you tip your trash and recycling collectors? A. $10 to $30 each B. $30 to $50 each C. No tip Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Question 10 of 10 How much should you tip your trash and recycling collectors? A. $10 to $30 each You can hand them the envelope directly when they make their rounds during holiday season. But first check the rules for your municipality. Some jurisdictions forbid workers from accepting cash, according to the Emily Post Institute. B. $30 to $50 eachC. No tip See Results Quiz | Who Should You Tip for the Holidays? Results Next QuizCan You Spot the Counterfeit Product? See All Quizzes answer_num=3,2,1,1,3,2,2,3,2,1|answer_text="C. A gift card of up to $20","B. At least a week's pay, plus a small gift from your child","A. The cost of one visit","A. Up to the cost of a session","C. No tip","B. $25 to $100","B. The cost of one visit","C. A small gift","B. $50 or up to the cost of one session","A. $10 to $30 each"|total_questions=10|url=/quiz/spending/T065-S001-who-should-you-tip-for-the-holidays/index.html|total_pages=22|page_id=10477|evaltext_num=0|kipad_id=FamilyFinancesQuizzes Advertisement Advertisement Sponsored Financial Content