The best presents in life are obviously FREE!! Love, kisses and hugs!! But tis the holiday gifting season, so I am sure you need ideas and budget ideas for gifting your near and dear ones in your life!
Here are a few guidelines.
Here are a few guidelines.
- Always make it personal. Adding a personal touch to your gift adds the feeling of love and caring into your gift giving and it makes the person who is receiving the gift, feel cared for. If your friend is a foodie, how wonderful would it be to give him or her a cook book. Here are 100 Best Selling Cookbooks
to choose from.
- Don't be obligated to go beyond your means to gift. Nowadays with the deals online there are many things you can get for as little as $15 - From some of the best magazine subscriptions
- Home made gifts are a great way to say thanks to the people who service you all through out the year. Decorate a few wine glasses with glass paint
- Always, always write a "handwritten" note of thanks and holiday cheer! It's a small but HUGE gesture!
- When in doubt give gift cards
HAPPY GIFTING EVERYONE!!
| Service Provider | Options | Suggested Amount or Gift |
Au pair or live-in nanny
|
Cash or consider a gift. This person works closely with your family and you probably know them well.
|
One week’s pay and a gift from your child(ren).
|
Regular babysitter
|
Cash
|
One evening’s pay and a small gift from your child(ren).
|
Day care provider
|
Cash or a gift for each staff member who works with your child(ren).
|
A gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member and a small gift from your child(ren).
|
| Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper) |
Cash and a personal gift
|
One week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.
|
Private nurse
|
Gift
|
A thoughtful gift from you.
|
Home health employees
|
Check with agency first about gifts or tipping policies. If there is a no gifts/tipping policy, consider a donation to the agency.
|
A thoughtful gift from you. (If gift-giving is not against company policy.)
|
Housekeeper/Cleaner
|
Cash and/or a gift
|
Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift.
|
Nursing home employees
|
A gift (not cash). Check company policy first.
|
A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).
|
Barber
|
Cash or gift
|
Cost of one haircut or a gift.
|
Beauty salon staff
|
Cash or gift depending on whether you tip well after each service.
|
The cost of one salon visit divided for each staff member who works with you. Give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you.
|
Personal trainer
|
Cash or gift
|
Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
|
Massage therapist
|
Cash or gift
|
Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
|
Pet groomer
|
Cash or gift (if the same person grooms your pet all year).
|
Up to the cost of one session or a gift.
|
Dog walker
|
Cash or gift
|
Up to one week’s pay or a gift.
|
Personal caregiver
|
Cash or gift
|
Between one week to one month’s salary or a gift.
|
Pool cleaner
|
Cash or gift
|
The cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.
|
Garage attendants
|
Cash or small gift
|
$10-30 or a small gift
|
Newspaper delivery person
|
Cash or small gift
|
$10-30 or a small gift
|
Mail carrier
|
Small gift only
|
Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s gift regulations.*
|
Package deliverer
|
Small gift only, no cash. (Only if you receive regular deliveries.)
|
Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts.
|
Superintendent
|
Cash or gift
|
$20-80 or a gift
|
Doorman
|
Cash or gift
|
$15-80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.
|
Elevator operator
|
Cash or gift
|
$15-40 each
|
Handyman
|
Cash or gift
|
$15 to $40
|
Trash/Recycling collectors
|
Cash or gift (for private) check city regulations if it is a municipal service.
|
$10-30 each
|
Yard/Garden worker
|
Cash or gift
|
$20-50 each
|
