NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - If you deal regularly with sentient beings other than your pets, bet on this: Between November and New Year's, you'll probably have to pay some folks an extra something for doing what they do for you all year.

That's right. The holiday tipping season is here. And whether you give with a song in your heart, or a feeling that the practice is just one step shy of extortion, one thing is certain: Figuring out how much to give is a headache.

So, for what it's worth, here are some suggestions from three sources on etiquette and tipping – Mary Mitchell, author of "Class Acts" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette"; Hilka Klinkenberg, founder of Etiquette International; and Tipping.org, also known as "The Original Tipping Page."

When it comes to dollar figures, these sources don't agree on everything. So that's why in the holiday tipping table there's a broad range for certain categories.

But they do reach consensus on this: There's no one "right" number because how much you "should" give depends on several factors:

How long you've used someone's services: The person who has provided you with good service for at least a year ought to get more than someone who has worked with you for six months or less. If you use many people or places (say a different nail salon every month) and you have no established relationships, then there's no need to give holiday tips.

How important the service is to you: Those whose services help your life run smoothly – such as a babysitter, nanny or housekeeper – should be recognized generously. And while everyone agrees a nice gift in addition to cash is a good idea with a nanny, Mitchell is the one who suggests also giving a small, personal gift to a babysitter or housekeeper. "That says you pay attention and that can so much influence the relationship," she said. If you think both money and a gift is too much, opt for the cash. It's more desirable.

Whether or not you tip throughout the year: If the holiday season is the one time of year you tip a doorman or handyman, then it should be a larger tip than if you pay them extra every time they perform a service.

How good the service is: If you've been dissatisfied with someone's work and won't be using their services in the coming year, then you needn't give anything.

Location, location, location: If you live in a big, expensive city, expect to tip on the high end of the suggested ranges. Regionally, you'll probably have to pay more if you live on the East or West Coast, Mitchell said.

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How much service you really get: Say you rent a parking space in a garage. If you have to fetch your car every time you show up, you needn't put as much in the garage's holiday fund as you would if you're provided with valet service.

Consider, too, how much quality time you spend with your hairdresser. Do you just get a trim when you go or do you camp out for hours, getting highlights and a perm, too?

Likewise, if you only have gardeners in the summer, you needn't tip during the holidays. But if you use their services all year long, then you should.

How many people are on your payroll: Say you live in a big high rise with lots of staff. It's understood you'll be tipping many people and those staff will receive money from all the residents. So, you can keep your tips more modest. If you tip anyone the maximum, it should be those staff members who give you the best service.

How flush you are: Times have been tough for a lot of people. So if you truly don't have the means to tip, don't.

But don't claim poverty if, in fact, you've used someone's services all year and will continue to do so. The doorman who sees your pricey purchases being delivered may find it suspicious if you make no effort to recognize him at the holidays. Likewise, Klinkenberg said, "if you can afford to go to the manicurist, you can afford to tip."

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Whether you've ever met: Ok, this is my criteria for holiday tipping. Since I live in a big city, I never see the garbage collectors or the mail carrier for that matter. Nor would I know a safe place to leave them holiday cheer even if I wanted to. So I confess I don't tip them and I don't feel bad about it.

And since I'm in a confessional mood, I'll also note this: Much as I like my hairdresser, I have yet to play Santa to his Sassoon. I tip him 20-25 percent every time I get a trim (maybe five times a year), and our interactions last 20 minutes max (I hate getting blown dry). So I don't feel compelled to bear gifts in December.

I imagine, however, that will change if my hair color does.

Jeanne Sahadi writes about personal finance for CNN/Money. She also appears regularly on CNNfn's "Your Money," which airs weeknights at 5 p.m. ET. For comments on this column or suggestions for future ones, please e-mail her at everydaymoney@cnnmoney.com.