Woman wrapping Christmas gifts

Your guide to giving end-of-year tips to service professionals

Want to thank your service professional with an end-of-year tip? BBB has guidance to help you give a token of appreciation.

Back to BBB's holiday shopping tips page

The end of the year is a time to show appreciation for those who provide necessary services and little luxuries in your daily life.

    

What you'll learn:

  • How to set a tipping budget that works for you
  • Practical ways to show appreciation, even if cash is tight
  • Who to tip (and who not to tip) during the holiday season

This year, the increased cost of goods and services means you may need to pay extra attention to your tipping budget. Even if you are limited in what you can give, there’s no need to feel uncomfortable. A little extra thoughtfulness can go a long way.

Determining who to tip and how much to give can be confusing. To avoid extra holiday stress, BBB recommends the following tips to help you tip confidently while staying within your budget.

Tipping by profession

Barber cutting his customer hair at barber shop
Personal service providers.

For hairdressers, massage therapists, or any other personal-service provider you regularly tip, consider upping your tip amount during the holiday season. If you usually tip 20%, make it 40%. Depending on your budget, you may decide to tip them the cost of an entire visit. The same goes for other service providers, like your dog walker or groomer. The equivalent of one service makes for a generous end-of-the-year tip.

A nurturing scene of a mother interacting with babies in a sunlit and cozy living space.
Nannies, babysitters, and caregivers.

A similar rule applies to tipping childcare, home health aides, and similar professions. Tipping the cost of a session, such as an evening’s pay for a regular sitter, is considered standard. For a live-in nanny, consider a bonus of up to a week’s wages. For those hired through a service, make sure you check that they are allowed to accept tips before giving.

Housekeeper vacuuming sofa in a house
Housekeepers and cleaning services.

If you have a regular cleaner, a tip equal to one week’s pay is typical. particularly if they provide regular, long-term service. This amount can vary based on your relationship with the housekeeper, how frequently they work, and your budget. In some cases, giving a thoughtful gift in addition to a smaller tip can also be appropriate.

Receptionist young woman talking on landline phone in the medical clinic
Building staff.

If you live in an apartment building, consider tipping cleaners, superintendents, security, and concierges. Somewhere between $25 to $100 each is a good range for this kind of service.

Portrait of a female delivery worker at the delivery address.
Mail and delivery service providers.

U.S. Postal Service workers may not accept gifts of cash or gift cards, but they can accept small gifts worth $20 or less. Canada Post workers can accept nominal gifts worth no more than $100. In both countries, FedEx and UPS employees are encouraged to decline cash gifts, but they can accept small personal gifts when making a delivery.

An elementary student walking with a teacher, or perhaps the school principal, through the school hallway. The student is an 8 year old multiracial boy, African-American and Caucasian. The teacher is a mature African-American man, in his 40s. They are side by side, looking at each other, smiling.
Professional service providers.

Most professionals, such as teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc., won’t accept cash gifts, so consider giving them a gift card or present instead, with a note of thanks.

For more information

Gift cards are a classic way to show your appreciation. But before buying, check out these tips from BBB. Read this article for advice on picking corporate gifts. 

Get more tips for the holiday season from BBB by visiting the holiday page.