NYC Holiday Tipping: Here's How Much To Give In 2019

NEW YORK — Here's a tip: Tip. New Yorkers have lots of hard-working people to thank for providing services that make living in this fast-paced city possible.

But knowing how, and how much, to give can be tricky. There are lots of decisions to make. Who should you tip? How much? What's the best way to hand it over?

Hint on that last one, maybe don't do this:

The Emily Post Institute — named for the grand dame of American etiquette — suggests the first step should be making a list of the people you'd like to tip, and dividing it up.

"Be honest with yourself," suggests Peter Post in a video on holiday tipping. "How much can you afford to budget for tips for the people on your list?"

Next, don't put it off, says NerdWallet personal finance columnit Liz Weston. The people on your list have their own holiday gifts to buy.

And finally, a great way to say thank you is to say thank you. Present the tip with a card and tell the person you're grateful for what they do.

Here's what Emily Post suggests for each profession:

Au Pair: One week's pay in cash and a gift from the kids.

Babysitter: One evening's pay in cash and a small gift from the kids.

Barber: Cash or a gift worth about one haircut.

Beauty salon staff: Cash or a gift worth one visit, if you haven't been regularly tipping, to those who help you.

Day care provider: Between $25 and $70 for each person who works with your kids and a small gift from the kids.

Dog walker: One week's pay in cash or an equivalent gift.

Doormen and doorwomen: Between $15 and $80 cash (depending on how many your building employs) or an equivalent gift.

Elevator operator: Between $15 and $40 cash or an equivalent gift.

Garage attendants: Between $10 and $30 cash or an equivalent gift.

Home health employees: A gift from you, unless its against company policy.

Housekeeper/Cleaner: Up to one week's pay and or a gift. (Note from Patch: Are you slob? Tip cash.)

Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper): Between one week and one month's pay in cash plus a gift.

Mail carrier: Small gift only, as the United States Postal Service has an anti-tipping policy.

Massage therapist: Cash or gift worth about one session.

Newspaper delivery person: Between $10 and $30 cash or an equivalent gift (Note from Patch: Do you still read newspapers? That's so great. You're a star.)

Nursing home employees: A gift that can be shared by staff, such as flowers or food, unless its against the home's policy.

Package deliverer: Small gift worth about $20.

Personal trainer: Cash or a gift worth about one session.

Pet groomer: Cash or a gift worth about one session.

Private nurse: A gift.

Private Trash/Recycling collectors: Between $10 and $30 cash.

Superintendent: Between $20-80 cash or an equivalent gift.

Yard/Garden worker: Between $20 and $50 cash or an equivalent gift.