Knowing how much to tip during the holidays can be a challenge. Here are some guidelines:
Mail Carriers – Postal workers are not allowed to accept anything above $20. (Please do not give them something they have to haul around on the route. You could put a card in your mailbox.)
UPS or Fed Ex Drivers – If someone delivers regularly, a small gift card is nice – just no alcohol. ($20 is a generous gift.)
Personal Trainers – One or two sessions (Most sessions cost around $50-$80 an hour, so that is $150 at the most.)
House Cleaners – A week’s salary. (Two cleaning sessions – anywhere from $180 to $400 is generous.)
Daycare Teachers – Give a gift card to a good restaurant in the area or a Visa/Amex gift card. (Don’t skip with the person who looks after your child! $75-$100 for main teachers and $25-$50 for assistants.) They have certainly earned it this year!
Regular Babysitters – One session of babysitting. (This may translate to $10 to $15 an hour, so $50 is nice.)
Nannies – A week’s pay. (This is an expensive one — possibly $400 or more. This is someone who is with your precious child and has free run of your home on a daily basis.)