Although it's often fun to give gifts, the anxiety of choosing them is still a major cause of holiday stress. This is especially true for obligatory gifts you feel compelled to give people you don't know well: the year-end tips for service people. Are you, like many people, wondering how much holiday cheddar to give your doorman, hairstylist, or personal trainer? We consulted the experts for some tips on tipping.
Give $25-$100 each, depending on how fancy the building, how attentive they are, how many visitors or deliveries you get, etc.
The approximate recommendation is $50.
The cost of a regular session plus a gift and no less than $5 per staffer.
Daily delivery: $15 to $25
Weekend delivery only: $5 to $15
Two nights' pay or so and perhaps a gift as well.
For fancier apartment buildings (and depending on your interaction with them), tip the super $30 to $100.
As a rule, government agencies (such as the US Postal Service) prevent employees from receiving monetary gifts or gratuities. However, you can present your favorite mailperson with a noncash gift up to $20 in value if you two have a personal relationship. Get some dos and don'ts for mail carrier gifts.