Holiday tipping guide
The people who help you all year — a regular hairdresser, a mail carrier, a house cleaner, a dog walker — are the customary holiday tipping list, though exact amounts vary widely by region and relationship.
A general rule of thumb is the cost of one regular visit as a tip, or a smaller cash amount plus a small gift for services where a full visit's cost would be excessive (like a mail carrier, who often can't accept cash at all under postal rules).
When money feels awkward, a handwritten note plus a small homemade treat is always a welcome substitute.
