Projo Holidays Blog

December 5, 2007 Archives

Here's the big question most of us have during the holidays: How much do you tip service providers?

According to a nationwide Angie’s List poll, a third of respondents don’t tip their service providers during the holidays. Of those that skip out on tips, 24 percent say it’s because they don’t know how much to give.

To help sort through the confusion, Angie’s List consulted with several etiquette experts and service companies. “Tips are meant to be rewards for good service as well as supplement a person’s income,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “So don’t let your uncertainty stop you from tipping. In fact, most experts say 'when in doubt, tip big.' "

The tipping experts say that it’s important to consider whether the contractor is someone you rely on regularly throughout the year, or someone you use occasionally, or only once.

“If it’s someone you use throughout the year, like a house cleaner or a babysitter, instead of a tip of cash, a gift at the holidays might be more appropriate,” Hicks says. “And for those one-time services, the tip can be determined by the size of the job and how well they did it."

With help from the experts, Angie’s List offers the following advice to help consumers get through the holiday season:

* Personal shoppers/concierge/errand services – tip of 15 to 20 percent is recommended, possibly more, depending on the complexity or amount of work you have them do for you.

* Hair stylists -- According to Angie's List, you don't have to give as much of a tip if you regularly tip your hair stylist every time you get a haircut. But, according to an Angie's List poll, 70 percent of respondents do tip their hair stylist during the holidays. The average tip: 15-20 percent of the total hair cut bill.

* Contractors who help hang your decorations, lights, etc. – A tip of $20 to $50 for the crew may be in order, again based on the complexity of the task.

* Event entertainment, such as Santa impersonators, carolers or musicians – a tip of 15 to 20 percent is appropriate.

* Bag boys or others who help carry your packages to your car – a tip of $1 per package/bag may be in order, though probably no more than $5.

* Chefs or caterers -- If you use this service throughout the year, a tip of $25 to $50 may be appropriate or a gift of equal value. If you hire the chef for a holiday party or family gathering, tip 15 to 20 percent based on the final cost. However, many advise you shouldn’t include the cost of alcohol in determining the tip amount. That decision, however, is up to you.

* House cleaners -- Many suggest $25 to $50, a day’s pay or a gift of equal value. If you use a service that sends a different house cleaner each time, this may not be necessary, unless you ask them to do some one-time tasks to help you prepare for the holidays – such as helping unpack and put up decorations; a deep cleaning before a party, etc.

* Babysitters, nannies and childcare providers -- For babysitters, the recommendation is a gift at the holidays from your kids, plus one or two nights pay. For a full-time nanny, one to four weeks’ pay plus a small gift from your kids is appropriate. For standard childcare providers, a gift at the holidays and $25 to $75 each. This may not be appropriate for some pre-kindergarten child care/education providers. Check with the manager of the facility to see what’s appropriate, which may be a small gift from your kids.

* Contractors you use year-round (such as yard workers, handymen, etc.) -- A tip of $20 to $50 may be in order.

* Mail carriers and daily paperboy -- Though the U.S. Postal Service frowns on gratuities and gifts for mail carriers, authorities request that the gift or gratuity be $20 or less. For daily newspaper delivery, a holiday tip of $15 to $25 is appropriate.

In my marriage, my husband and I have debated for years whether a live Christmas tree, or an artificial tree, is best.

He likes the no-fuss inexpensive route of buying an artificial, and I'm partial to the scent of the real thing I remember from my childhood.

You can respond to our survey: What's best: An artificial or live Christmas tree?

Truth is, I've won the debate. His artificial got put away the first year we were married. In the proceeding years we've done everything from tree lots to tree farms. And although the experience is great, cutting a tree down yourself can be a lot of work, unless the farm provides a lot of help.

Our North Kingstown neighbors make a family event out of going every year to Hartikka's Tree Farm in Voluntown, Conn. -- and we've been lucky enough to share the experience with them.

Children, parents and a little homemade schnapps make the trip. While everyone goes in their own car, the brother with the pickup truck is the designated tree-deliverer. Once each family picks out their favorite tree, Mike has the farm hands pile them all in his truck bed, and he drives around delivering them to each front yard. Then the decorating begins.

Here's a list of Christmas tree farms -- by state -- that provide links, directions and details of the 37 tree farms in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Good luck tree hunting.