NJ Holiday Tipping Guide 2024: Who To Tip, How Much

NEW JERSEY — The holiday season is typically a time when New Jersey residents wish to show gratitude by tipping those who make their lives easier a little extra. However, knowing who and how much to tip can be confusing.

While Christmas tipping isn't required, it can be more than a token of thanks. It can also provide a financial boost to service workers over the holiday season.

"It’s important to tip those you routinely visit and who provide you with a loyal service," author and national etiquette expert Diane Gottsman told U.S. News Money. "Gifting what you can comfortably afford, along with a heartfelt note of gratitude, is always a generous and kind gesture."

According to Lizzie Post, co-president of the etiquette-focused Emily Post Institute, Garden State residents should let the cost of a service be their holiday tipping guide.

Here's who you should consider tipping this holiday season and how much, Post told Fidelity Investments:

• Babysitter/nanny: one typical session/one week's pay
• Daycare staffer: $25 to $75, depending on how many hours your child is in this person's care each week.
• Hairstylist/colorist/barber: the cost of one service.
• Home health aide/in-home caregiver: one week's pay
• Housecleaner: one visit
• Landscaper/groundskeeper: one session
• Massage therapist you see regularly: one session
• Manicurist/pedicurist you see regularly: one session
• Newspaper delivery person: $10 to $30
• Personal trainer: one session
• Pet sitter/dog walker/groomer: one session
• Trash collectors/sanitation workers: $10 to $30 each
• Apartment superintendent, resident manager: $150 to $300
• Doorman, concierge: $75 to $200
• Porter, handyman, and other maintenance staff: $25 to $50
• Garage attendant: $25 to $75

If tipping is outside your budget, Aliya Padamsee, director of financial solutions at Fidelity, suggests thinking outside the buck to show your gratitude.

"If holiday tipping is tipping you over the edge, then consider alternate forms of showing your generosity, such as baking holiday treats alongside a homemade card with a heartfelt message about what their service means to you," Padamsee said.

Garden State residents should also keep in mind that some service employees are not allowed to accept cash or cash equivalent gifts. This includes U.S. Postal Service workers (though they can accept other gifts worth $20 or less) and FedEx workers (though they can accept other gifts up to $75).

UPS also encourages drivers to decline cash tips, but they're not prohibited from accepting them.