December 22, 2004
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Dear Yahoo!:
Who should I tip for the holidays?
Allyson
Sunnyvale, California
Dear Allyson:
We know what you’re thinking. “Sheesh, even the deli has a tip jar, now I gotta tip the mailman just because it’s Christmas?” Well, yes. While completely optional, giving a little something extra to those who provide services throughout the year is customary.
The good news is you needn’t go into hock. This excellent article from CNN Money suggests appropriate holiday tips for babysitters, hairstylists, and mail carriers, keeping in mind that cash isn’t always the way to go. In fact, give your mailman an envelope full of greenbacks in excess of $20, and you’re breaking the law, buster.
The Original Tipping Page also offers a helpful checklist of people you may want to show a little love to this holiday season. Garbage collectors, parking attendants, and newspaper delivery people should all be on your list, provided you’re not mortal enemies with any of them.
How much (or what) to tip is obviously up to you. If you’re completely clueless, this quiz from BankRate offers tips (pun not intended) on how to avoid looking like Ebenezer (Scrooge).
In short, it’s a good idea to tip those people who made your life easier over the course of the year. Oh, and if you’re a regular reader of this column and are satisfied with the work we’ve done, please feel free to, ahem, send a little something our way.
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