Holiday Tipping In NYC 2022: How Much To Give With Inflation So High

NEW YORK CITY — Cough it up, Scrooge — this year may have been tough, but it was harder for those New Yorkers who made it a bit easier for you.

Sure, inflation was once-in-every-40-years-bad during 2022, but you still found enough moolah to pay someone to walk your dog, babysit your child or cut your hair.

Holiday tipping — the year-end tradition of giving cash or other thanks — is your way to return the favor.

Etiquette experts this holiday season have, yet again, been encouraging New Yorkers give generously this season if they can — and only as much as your budget allows. And it looks like inflation has hit the recommended tip amounts.

So how much and what should you give? Here’s a quick guide.

Give cash (except when you can’t afford it)

The good folks at the Emily Post Institute traditionally recommend giving cash — and that hasn’t changed in 2022.

But that doesn’t mean cash is always king.

“If your budget does not allow for tips, consider homemade gifts; and if you’re not good with crafts or in the kitchen, remember that words are always a great way to express your thanks for a year of good service,” the Emily Post Institute’s website states.

For those flush with cash (congratulations), the Etiquette School of New York recommends using crisp bills in a “tasteful envelope” marked with the recipient’s name, along with a short note and, if possible, a handshake and holiday greeting.

One note: it could be too late as you read this for cash to make its full impact.

“Give cash gifts early in December so that they can use the money to buy their holiday gifts,” the Etiquette School’s site states.

It should be noted that not everyone can accept cash gifts — mail carriers and government workers in particular are legally barred from accepting them.

The Etiquette School recommends giving such workers a gift card for restaurants, Starbucks, a warm scarf or something else that’ll help on cold days. Here are some other recommendations from the school:

• Mail carrier: Small gift or gift card up to $20: gifts of cash not permitted
• Fedex: Can accept gifts valued at $75 or less; gifts of cash not permitted
• UPS: Advised to politely decline; but no firm policy about not accepting
• cash gifts

What about building staff?

Admit it, New Yorkers: many of you would be lost without your doormen and other building workers.

Here’s what the Etiquette School recommends to tip this year:

• Superintendent: $75 to $175; broad range $50 to $500
• Doorman: $25 to $150; broad range $10 to $1,000
• Handyman: $25 to $50; broad range $10 to $75
• Parking garage attendant: $25 to $75 each: or ½ month’s rent divided

What about other people who regularly help me?

If you can afford a babysitters, dog walker or housekeeper, then don’t forget them this holiday season. They could probably use the money.

The Etiquette School recommends these amounts:

• Babysitter: An evening’s pay, plus a gift from your child
• Barber: Cost of one session
• Coaches, Tutors, Music Teachers: A small gift from your child
• Day care provider: $20 to $70 each, plus a small gift from your child
• Dog walker: Up to one week’s pay or a gift
• Hairstylist/Colorist: Cost of one session
• Housekeeper: Up to the cost of one visit; or one-or-two week’s pay, full-time
• Manicurist: $25 to $50 or gift
• Personal trainer: Up to the cost of one session and a gift
• Pet Groomer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift
• Senior Care Aide: $25 to $100 depending upon frequency
• Teacher: Gift card or gift certificate for up to $25, or pitch in with some of the other parents and buy a more expensive gift certificate
• Trash collector (house): $20 to $30