Holiday Tipping Timing?

Every year I get confused with the timing of tipping my services people.

Massage therapist
Mail carrier
Garbage men
Accupunturist
Hair stylist
Dog sitter
Dog Groomer
And now.....
Boxing coach
Dance Instructor


Based on when I make an appointment between or just before Thanksgiving and Christmas when is it the best time to tip that extra before the year's end?

Before Thanksgiving so they have extra money for Black Friday shopping? Or is that too early? Because then it's not a Christmas tip? It's a Turkey tip then.....

Just after Thanksgiving a week or two?

Just days before Christmas? Or is that too late?

In the past I've tipped just days before Christmas. It just seems late now to be tipping at the end of when all the shopping deals are done and they missed out on something they really wanted and getting stuck with the picked over stuff.

I realize there are after Christmas sales, but doesn't seem to be to fruitful, like the sales during Black Friday and so on.

 

For me it was always the Mail Carrier and Paper Boy, and now it’s just the mail carrier since I no longer have the paper delivered.


I’ll put a ten spot in the envelop that has the cutout and leave it in the mail slot, then the mail carrier will leave a thank you note a few days later.

 

i didn't realize you were supposed to give christmas bonuses to random workers like that. i'm not even sure how you tip a garbage man, throw a 20 in the trash?

as far as timing, i think you're putting too much thought into it. extra money is extra money, and i'm sure they'll be happy to get it no matter when it comes.

 

Damn, i'm doing life wrong, i've never left my mail person a tip. That does seem really nice though, maybe i'll put a card with a tip in the mailbox for them this year

Also, with your hairstylist - I always tip my hairstylist 20% on anything she does, so ..do you mean you leave a big Christmas tip on top of the usual tips or you just dont tip at all until the end of the year?

 

My grandparents always used to tip the mailman at Christmas time: they would leave a little envelope in the mailbox with his name on it.

 

gave my favorite beer guy 5$

 

It totally depends on what you want. If you want them to have a good black friday, tip 'em around black friday. If you want it to be for a Christmas present, then do that. I'd say it's totally at your discretion, and there's no wrong practice.

If it were me receiving the tip, I'd be grateful to get it around Thanksgiving, but the other things you mentioned are nearly just as good.

 

yeah, i always thought hairstylist was a tipped job. like a server or a delivery driver. you just tip them every time. and as a past delivery driver, i can tell you nobody gives a christmas bonus.

on the other hand, most of the people OP listed have higher base salaries than i do, so i really don't see the point of tipping them anything.

 

That’s a new one on me too, tipping the garbage man, must be a small town thing.

 

i've mostly lived in small towns and never heard of it.

 

OK, so much for that theory...lol...

 

I buy a non religious Christmas card. Say a little thank you to John, Chris, Mikey and Bluto. Put some money in the card. Then I take a bigger size sandwich baggie and put the card into it and seal it shut.

Then I take a twist tie, poke it though the top edge corner of the baggie. Then twist tie the baggie onto the handle of the garbage can lid handle.

Done , weatherproofed..
It works out every year.

The garbage men give me a card every year, 2 weeks before Christmas. Then the following week I give them my card and tip.

I guess rethinking it, between me and the garbage men we have a set routine, no need fixing or guessing with timing on tipping them.

For me they aren't random. Bluto's been on the route for over a decade. Chris and mikey started my route a few years ago. I'm pretty sure John started this summer or spring. I dont see them on my work days. But when I take vacation or take off day here and there when its garbage day. We all get to chat and catch up with what we can. Bluto asked about Misty every chat we had.

I guess that's why I tip them. They go above and beyond just being my G-men.

 

Yes, I give her a bigger tip between Thanksgiving and Christmas appointments. Otherwise, her usual tip is every hair cut she gives me.

 

I think that will be my practice from now on. Tip before Thanksgiving, that way they have money for shopping on black Friday or to by food for the feast.

 

Should I tip the 16 year old kid taking my order at taco bell???

 

When I tip my people, they always go that extra for me.

The Accupunturist always makes sure the room is at 85 degrees, they way I like it. Also that I have enough blankets. Always makes sure that I choose and essential oil to have for aromatherapy. After she takes off the 4 or 5 "cupping" auctions, she gives me a liltte 2 minute massage to work out the compression irritation. Then at the end, a big bottle of Figi water and one of her signature mints.

My massage therapist is the same. She goes that little extra all the time. Making sure the head rest is a perfect fit and comfortable. Makes sure the bolsters are positioned just right. She always asks if pressure needs to be harder or softer. Always asks what type of tranquil music I would like of essential oil I'd like for aromatherapy. If I need someone to talk to, she'll always have a pleasant discussion with me and even a few laughs.

My dog groomer always goes above and beyond. What she charges me for grooming my girls is just crazy. All 4 of my golden retrievers stay with her from 9am to 3pm. When I pick them up they all look like they are ready to be shown in the Westminster dog show. They all get matching scarfs or little bows by each ear.


My dog sitter charges barely anything either for all the work she does. She even combs them, cleans their ears if dirty, walks them, and plays non stop all day with them. Got to tip her extra at the end of the year. I never want to lose her.

My hair stylist takes a full hour to do a 15 min hair cut. She takes a long time but she does so much extra. She keeps everything fresh looking. Eyebrows, ears inside/outside, back of the neck, even those pesky onesie hairs on my back and shoulders that need to go. Then also good conversation, upbeat, polite and positive discussions. Almost like therapy.

 

If he or she goes out of their way , above and beyond of course. If it's a kid sure. They need the money.

At my grocery store kids bag the groceries during the summer. I always give them 2 or 3 bucks. They say no.... but I say ..."its ok take it...use it for something to eat or drink on your break" they give me a pleasant smile in return. Their smile carries me all day. 2 to 3 dollars for that smile..... so well worth it....

 

Yes, I live in a township

 

Ever thought they go out of their way just cos your a nice guy Pete? Or that they know your a good tipper?

You Americans go over the top on your tipping, really, you give everyone a bad name..

In Europe people don't tip in the day time.. I've no idea why!

I tip if it's good service, my hair dresser a must, it's like a day out.. the garbage guys.. Not a chance, they don't like to get their nails dirty now.. Not like the old days...

 

Why for a case of Amoebic Dysentery? ........nah