This is the compressed version. If you want the reasoning behind any figure, the full holiday tipping guide covers it — this page exists to be consulted quickly in the second week of December when you are writing envelopes.
People you pay directly
For anyone on a regular schedule you already pay, the anchor is roughly one week of normal pay. For irregular schedules, use the cost of one session instead — a week's pay makes no sense for someone who comes monthly.
| Who | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Housekeeper | Up to one week's pay |
| Nanny / regular childcare | One to two weeks' pay |
| Dog walker | One week's pay, or one session |
| Personal trainer | Cost of one session |
| Hairdresser / barber | Cost of one visit, split if several people work on you |
Building staff
Higher in dense doorman markets, lower elsewhere. Decide your total first, then divide — pricing each person separately is how people end up with a number they cannot pay.
| Role | Dense-market range |
|---|---|
| Superintendent | $150 – $300+ |
| Doorman / concierge | $75 – $200 each |
| Porter | $25 – $50 each |
| Handyman / maintenance | $25 – $50 each |
| Garage attendant | $25 – $75 |
Cannot accept cash
This is the section worth reading even if you skip the rest.
| Who | Rule |
|---|---|
| USPS mail carrier | No cash in any amount, including Venmo, Zelle and cash-convertible gift cards. Non-cash gift under $20, max $50 per customer per year |
| Teachers | Many districts cap gift value or prohibit cash — check the school policy |
| Some municipal workers | Employers may prohibit tips outright; check locally |
Everyone else
| Who | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Private courier (UPS, FedEx) | $10 – $30, subject to company policy |
| Trash / recycling collectors | $10 – $30 each, if permitted |
| Newspaper delivery | $10 – $30 |
Four rules that cover the rest
One. Decide the total before you decide the individual amounts. Two. Weight by contact, not by title — the person you see daily comes before the person you have met twice. Three. If the budget does not work, shorten the list rather than dropping everyone, and reduce amounts rather than skipping people you rely on. Four. Write something specific in the card; it is the part people keep.
And the timing: mid-December, in person where possible, with the recipient's name on the envelope.