As a general rule of thumb, most hairstylists, manicurists, masseuses, and tattoo artists tell us that a 15-20% tip is considered standard—no matter the time of year. To show extra appreciation during the holidays, consider adding on an extra 10-20%.
How much should you tip your nail tech for Christmas? Anywhere from $25 to $50 is a good amount. If you have a nail tech that you see regularly, a modest Christmas "bonus" is a good way to thank them for all their beautiful work throughout the year. Or, you might give them a small gift that you think they'd like.
$15 to $40, depending on how much work you've had them do. $10 to $30 each for private service; for public service, check your local municipality for regulations as some areas may not allow tipping.
If someone cleans your house only once or twice a month, consider tipping them about half the amount of one service. So, if you pay your cleaner $100 to come once a month, think about $50 to $100 as a holiday thank you. Regular cleaner: Up to one week's pay and/or a small gift.
Created with sketchtool. 6. Drycleaner. The dry-cleaner does not need a holiday tip, but a small gift, like a candle or a gift certificate to an inexpensive restaurant, for consistent and quality service is nice, Eyring adds.
Among the service workers to include in your holiday gifting, the mail carrier is the one you've likely heard the most about. According to Tsai, a gift card for merchandise or services—not cash—valued at $20 or less (the maximum allowed by the USPS!) is appropriate for your mail carrier.
The widely accepted minimum tip in the industry is 15 percent, Kandalec says, but the most common tip at a nail salon is 20 percent. This is similar to what's expected when tipping at a hair salon, or for a massage or spa treatment.
Holiday Tipping Guidelines
As a general rule, you tip double the amount of gratuity you normally do during the year or you can tip them the amount of up to one service.
Under federal regulations, you can "tip" your mail carrier with a gift that is worth $20 or less per occasion, this includes Christmas, according to the USPS. Federal employees are not allowed to accept gifts that are worth more than $50 from any customer during one calendar year period.
Bartenders are usually tipped between $50 - $100 per person, unless there is a tip jar. If there is a tip jar, there is not usually any additional gratuity unless they did an exceptional job. If tipped, $20 - $50 per delivery staff member.
Of course, you shouldn't feel obligated to give your hairstylist a gift, but if you have a very friendly relationship and know a lot about them, something extra that isn't overly-expensive is always a nice gesture.
To avoid making etiquette mistakes, our experts offer some additional tips for tipping at nail salons: Try not to tip less than $5. If you're only getting a nail polish color swap for $20, consider rounding up the tip to $5.
Specifically, we love darker reds for this season. Deep reds are just perfect for the colder months. You can't go wrong matching your nails to your Christmas stocking (or your glass of Merlot). Reds look great on all nails and you can find a deep red that compliments your skin tone.
*Civil servants are not allowed to receive cash tips. But if you wish to recognize your mail carrier, the U.S. Postal Service asks that your gratuity not exceed $20 in cash value.
How Much Should You Tip Your Nail Tech? Lee suggests the standard tip should always be 20%.
What customers do: A 20% tip is standard, so that would be $7 on a $35 pedicure.
How Much to Tip for Pedicure? On average, you should tip between 15% and 20% for a pedicure.
“Under these federal regulations, carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas,” it states on the USPS website. “However, cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, must never be accepted in any amount.
Acceptable Gifts for Postal Workers
Perishable items such as food, candy, fruit, or flowers, so long as they are to be shared with other postal workers. Retail gifts cards with a value of less than $20 that cannot be converted to cash.
FAQs About U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
Salaries at U.S. Postal Service (USPS) range from an average of $42,709 to $91,866 a year.
Remember the golden rule: "You should tip 20 percent on the entire service cost, not per individual," says Schweitzer. So if your haircut and blow-dry cost $40 total, and your color was $60, your total service cost comes to $100. That means you should tip $20 divided between the colorist and stylist.
$50 service = $10 tip. $100 service = $20 tip. $150 service = $30 tip. $200 service = $40 tip.