Holiday Tipping Tips from Kiplinger's

WASHINGTON - Though most of us are pinching pennies this holiday season a little extra jingle from Kris Kringle could go a long way for the service providers in your life. But just who should you tip and how much?

Candice Lee Jones, reporter for Kiplinger's Personal Finance has holiday tipping tips.

CLEANING PERSON
How much to tip: The cost of one visit if he or she visits weekly or bi-weekly, says protocol adviser Rosanne Thomas. Up the tip amount for a cleaning person who works more often.
Exceptions: If you use a cleaning service that works in a team, a box of chocolates for the team is customary.

HAIRSTYLIST
How much to tip: The normal cost of a visit for a stylist you've used all year.
Exceptions: If your stylist doubles as a confidante, include a small personal gift that speaks to his or her interests as well as a monetary gift. If you don't require as much attention from your stylist or barber, you may prefer to give only about $20 as a tip during your December visit.

NEWSPAPER DELIVERER
How much to tip: $10 to $20.
Exceptions: If you tip your deliverer generously throughout the year, a smaller gift of a few dollars is customary.

LETTER CARRIER
How much to tip: The U.S. Postal service says gifts must be under $20 in value. A gift card at Dunkin' Donuts or a similar store that could serve as an off-duty for the carrier's route is acceptable.
Exception: If there is a particular example of a postal worker having gone undeterred by snow, rain, heat or gloom of night, a glowing letter or email to a supervisor may mean more than a gift, says Peggy Post, author of Excuse Me, But I Was Next.

NURSING HOME WORKER
How much to tip: "A personal gift may be in order for someone who has been extraordinarily kind," says Thomas. Think gift baskets or homemade cookies.
Exceptions: Check with the policy at the facility. Workers often are tipped through a fund that is run by a central administrator. Some facilities ban tips and gifts on grounds of fairness.

PERSONAL TRAINER
How much to tip: $50.
Exceptions: The key question to ask yourself is whether you have an ongoing, above-average relationship with the professional, says etiquette expert Charlotte Ford. Tip at year end if you feel you've gotten above-average service year-round.

BABY SITTER
How much to tip: Nanny or au pair -- one week's pay and a small gift from the child; regular sitter -- one to two nights' pay; day-care provider -- $25 to $70.
Exceptions: Only give a holiday tip if you've frequently used the sitter during the year or you had to call on them in an 11th hour emergency, advises Thomas Blaikie, etiquette expert and author of "To the Manner Born."

LINKS:
Holiday Tipping Tip Sheet

What You Need to Know About Holiday Tipping
Whom to tip and end-of-year gifts that are appropriate.