The holiday season is in full swing, and spreading holiday cheer doesn’t have to stop at friends and family — you can also spread thanks throughout the community. Most of us only think of tipping when we’re sitting in a restaurant looking at the bill. However, during the holidays, tipping is a great way to thank the people who’ve provided you services and made your life a little easier throughout the year.

Here’s our guide to holiday tipping etiquette:

Determine the tip amount

Consider the frequency + quality of each service, the Emily Post Institute Inc. advises. Not all tips will be equal. If you’ve been a loyal customer for years, you might feel more inclined to spend more on that person rather than someone who you only began working with a month ago — and that’s okay. Here’s a breakdown of the golden rules for tipping per industry + a guide to specific amounts for holiday tips to help you determine a budget.

Budget around your tips

If you plan ahead for holiday spending, also include tips in this part of your budget so you don’t overextend yourself during an already high-spending season.

Need help building a budget that actually works for you? United Community Bank can help. As experts in budgeting + managing money, they can help you develop a budget that’s easy to stick to and ways to save for holiday expenses throughout the year. Pro tip: Use United Community Bank’s budget calculator to calculate your monthly expenses.

Consider alternatives to monetary tips

Including a hand-written note with a tip or small gift can help build a connection with the person beyond just the service they provide | Photo via Unsplash

If you consistently tip a person throughout the year, think about gifting them something small and meaningful rather than an end-of-year envelope of cash. (Think: A local candle, a bottle of wine, or a homemade batch of cookies.) This gift should still be accounted for in your “tipping” budget, but will serve as a more specific, personal touch.

Check your (tip) list twice

First, ask who has made your life a little easier throughout the year (or even as recently as this holiday season). Was it the dog walker or your hairstylist? Was it your financial advisor? Build out a tipping list along with your holiday shopping list, so you don’t forget anyone important.

Here are key folks to consider tipping:

House cleaners
Caterers (who save you all that time in the kitchen for the big holiday party)
Christmas tree farm workers
Daycare providers
Babysitters
Nannies
Pet groomers
Dry cleaners
Landscapers
Pool cleaners
Gift wrappers (while some businesses include this service for free, it’s nice to show appreciation for those who check off another task on your holiday to-do list)*

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