Holiday Tipping — Don’t Forget This Guy…

These days, it seems there's a tip jar everywhere...your coffee place (even chains), your dry cleaner, your daycare.  I've heard the term "tips" was actually an acronym for "To Insure Prompt Service," but grammatically speaking, wouldn't it be "ensure"?  Either way, the gratuity has become and expectancy.

During the holiday season, we're supposed to beef up our tipping, and it can be a bit overwhelming.  According to the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette", here's how you should dole out the cash:

• Babysitter or nanny -- one week's pay plus a small gift
• Trash collectors -- $15-$20 each
• Paper carrier -- $15-$25 for daily delivery, $5-$15 for weekend delivery
• Mail carrier -- federal employees aren't supposed to accept more than $20
• Doorman -- (aren't YOU special!) $25-$120, depending if he works with staff or alone
• Hairdresser -- the equivalent of one session, or $25 if you don't go regularly

What do you think of this list?  Are any of these amounts excessive, or on the converse, not enough?  Who's left out that you're going to tip this year?  I can say, I'm making a lot of food-gifts this year because I'm pretty strapped for cash...and I know one particular parking lot attendant who's got a sweet treat coming from me this year....

<3 LD