'Tis the season for giving, which means it's time to talk about the annual anguish that comes with trying to figure out what to give as a holiday tip to the people in your world that deserve one. Seattle isn't New York, so we're not all living in buildings with doormen and supers, but, it's good to be aware of the baseline amounts one needs to know to make sure the people that take care of you feel taken care of this holiday season. One good thing to note is that many people would prefer to receive holiday tips in early December over right around Christmas-time, so if you haven't done it already, consider this your cheat-sheet.
Everything varies depending on your situation but the generally-accepted tip range remains the same as it has been the last few years:
Super, resident manager: $25-100
Doorman, concierge: $25-$100
Handyman: $15-50
Garbage Collector: $20-30
Garage Attendant: $10-20
Nanny: One-to-two week's salary
Housekeeper: One-to-two week's salary
Babysitter: One evening's average salary
Mail carrier: Federal law prohibits mail carriers from accepting cash, or anything worth over $20, so, something that isn't cash worth $20 or less
Package Delivery: FedEx prefers non-cash gifts worth under $75 while UPS encourages small gifts rather than cash
Hairdresser: $25-$100
Dog Walker: One week's salary
And since this is Seattle, you might want to set aside $10-20 for your local coffee shop barista if you've got a favorite.
· How Much to Give Your Building Staff: The Annual Guide [CNY]
· Holiday Tipping Guide [Care]