NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
'Tis the season to spread the wealth. There's no better time to show appreciation to the people who provide services for you throughout the year.
But trying to figure out who to tip and how much can cause a holiday headache. Maybe that's why 42 percent of consumers in a recent ConsumerReports.org survey said they don't bother tipping at all during the holiday season.
Do you have tipping anxiety? Here are today's five tips.
1. Deciding who's been naughty and nice.
Trying to figure out whom to tip can be confusing and expensive. Start by considering those who make a difference in your life. It also depends on the quality and frequency of their service, where you live and your budget.
We all have different ideas of what constitutes good service and nothing is etched in stone of what's appropriate to tip. But here are a few guidelines according to some etiquette experts.
- Babysitter: One to two evenings' pay plus a small gift from your child. It really depends on how often they sit. If they come to your home every day, a week's worth of pay, plus a small gift is appropriate.
- Hairstylist: The cost of one visit. And depending on your relationship with your hairstylist, you may also consider giving a small gift.
- Fitness Trainer: $25 to $100 or the cost of one session.
- Newspaper Carrier: $10 to $25, depending upon whether or not you tip them during the year. Tipping is sometimes a year-round gesture for some subscribers.
- Mail Carrier: As a government employee, postal workers are prohibited from accepting cash gifts or gifts valued over $20. However, a small gift valued under $20 is fine (ex. cookies, chocolate, gift certificates). Wine is not a good option since carriers cannot have any alcohol in their vehicles. Better yet, write a letter of appreciation on behalf of your carrier to the postmaster.
Check out www.emilypost.com and www.tipping.org for more on who and how much to tip during the holidays.
2. The green is not for everyone.
Sometimes it is not appropriate to tip with cash. Think about it, you wouldn't give money to a friend just to say thanks for being a friend.
The same holds true for doctors, teachers, accountants, even colleagues at work. Instead, consider a thoughtful gift.
Think about the relationship you have with the person and whether or not cash would be the best choice.
3. The how-to of tipping.
Etiquette expert Rosanne Thomas of Protocol Advisors says tips should always be put inside a holiday card and never just in an envelope. Cash is preferable if you are handing the tip to the person, although checks may be safer if you are mailing the gift.
If you are on a budget and are concerned you will not be able to tip as much as you tipped last year, you can either cut everyone's tip across the board, or eliminate some people.
But keep in mind if you are crossing names off the list, the last people you want to remove are those who take care of you and especially your children.
If you really can't afford to tip, a card is always nice, a letter to that person's boss is a good gesture, as are homemade cookies and sweets.
4. Out of sight, out of mind?
You may ask yourself, "I never see my mailman...do I have to acknowledge him?" The answer is yes. One ethics expert we spoke to says you are not legally, but are ethically obligated to give a tip to someone who has done a service for you.
5. Travel tipping.
Many of you will be traveling this holiday season. With that comes the task of tipping the hotel and resort staff. Some resorts say tipping is included. Still, you'll want to call ahead to see if that includes everybody (waiters, maid service, bellhops). Also, some all-inclusive resorts prohibit tipping.
Cruises can be complicated when it comes to tipping and it usually depends on the cruise line. Brian Major, spokesman for Cruise Lines International Association, says on some lines it is appropriate to give tips at the end of a stay. Tips are suggested per passenger/per night and there are minimum suggested amounts per week: cabin steward: $25/week. Dining room steward: $25/week. Busboy: $8/week. Tip bartenders and servers as you would in a restaurant.
Major says some cruise lines automatically place daily gratuities on the bill and then the passenger has the option to alter them either positively or negatively. Many cruise lines are now all-inclusive and tipping is not allowed. The best bet is to contact your travel agent or the cruise line before you board.
Also, keep in mind if you are traveling to another country, different cultures have different views when it come to tipping. For example, in Singapore, tipping isn't customary. It is actually prohibited at the airport. And except for bellboys, it is discouraged at hotels. Check out www.Fodors.com. This Web site has tipping guides for the worldwide traveler.
Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News. Willis also hosts CNNfn's Open House, weekdays from Noon to 12:30 p.m. (ET). E-mail comments to 5tips@cnn.com.
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