The holiday season is also the season of giving - But should you be giving a little extra around the holidays when it comes to services you get all year round? Or should you even give any extra at all? Lindsey Granger talked to Etiquette Expert, Thomas Farley, to find out how you should show your gratitude in the form of gratuity during the holidays.
1. Tips for Grooming
Since self-care professionals like hair stylists, barbers, manicurists or trainers spend the whole year making you feel good by looking good, and for many of them, their work is their main form of income. So, make sure your tip shows them your appreciation for their hard work all year. Tip them the cost of one service, or as close as you can get to it.
And feel free to make the moment of appreciation extra special by putting your tip in a Christmas card, to really show them that they're important enough to you that you thought through presenting them their gift.
2. Tips for Child Care
Got a babysitter? Make sure you thank them for watching the kiddos with an extra something special. This tip is usually about the cost of one night's pay for their services. But don't forget to make the tip extra special by giving them something made by your child as well. It shows that not only you appreciate their hard work, but that your kids love having them around too.
And if you want to show your child's teacher how much you appreciate them, remember: most schools won't allow teachers to accept cash gifts, so instead, get them a nice gift that they can keep on their desks at school, or that they can indulge themselves with at home (like candles or gift cards to BevMo or Total Wine) when they aren't working hard teaching your kids.
3. Tips for Home Care
If you have a weekly service for landscaping or managing your home - outside or in - consider tipping them the amount you'd pay for one week's visit. If you have a periodical home helper, like a bi-weekly maid or window washer, tip them around $20-$50.
What do you think about businesses that automatically add gratuities to your bill? Do you think it's a good idea or do you think it's a bad one? Tell us your thoughts on our Facebook page, @TheListShowTV.
