Holiday tipping guide: Here's who you should tip and how much this year

It's the time of year when we typically thank those who provide us with year-round services with a gift of some extra cash in the form of a holiday tip.

Even in a year when everything seems to cost more and we're all feeling the economic pinch, with a bit of creativity you can accommodate everyone on your list without blowing your budget. A good rule of thumb is to start by keeping in mind that the idea behind holiday tipping is truly about saying thank you.

"Holiday tipping is really holiday thanking," Lizzie Post, the great-great-granddaughter of etiquette legend Emily Post, previously told the Courier Journal. "So you want to think about the people in your life who have provided you services throughout the year that you’d really like to say thank you to."

In general, you should give cash to people who provide services every day or throughout the week, such as a doorman or newspaper delivery person, she previously said, and to someone who comes to your house regularly, such as a babysitter or housekeeper. But a gift may be more appropriate for someone whom you have a more personal, long-term relationship with, like a hairstylist.

Here's a list from the Emily Post Institute of the most common Christmas tips and guidelines to help you decide how much is appropriate to tip this holiday season.

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Holiday tipping guide: who you should tip and how much

• Babysitter: Cash, in the amount of one night's average pay, and a small gift or card from the kids, if you use them regularly

• Barber: Cash, in the amount of one haircut, or a gift of a similar value

• Beauty salon staff: Cash, in the amount of one salon visit that you ask to be divided among the staff, or a small gift for each employee who works with you

• Dog walker: Cash, up to one week's pay, or a gift if you use them regularly

• Home health worker: Check with the agency first about the tipping policy. If it's allowed, give a gift

• Housekeeper: Cash, in the amount of one week's pay, or a gift

• Massage therapist: Cash, up to the amount for one session, or a gift

• Nursing home employees: A gift (not cash) that the staff can share, i.e., chocolates and cookies

• Personal caregiver: Cash, between one week's and one month's salary, or a gift

• Personal trainer: Cash, up to the amount for one session, or a gift

• Pet groomer: Cash, up to the amount for one session, or a gift

• Trash or recycling collectors: Cash, $10-$30 each, or a gift

• Yard workers: Cash, $20-$50 each, or a gift

• Mail carrier: Small gift only, under $20 in value as the U.S. Postal Service rules forbid cash

• Newspaper deliverer: Cash, $10-$30, or a small gift. Sometimes you can include a tip when you pay your bill. Remember that adults usually do this job these days

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Thanks to technology, the rules of how you deliver a holiday tip have evolved. You can still slip dollar bills into a card and envelope but it's also acceptable to use a mobile wallet, tap-to-pay credit/debit card readers, or an app such as Venmo.

Above all, keep in mind to stay within your holiday budget. If you don't have money to spare, think instead about writing a heartfelt note to those who made an impact on your life this past year. Tipping is something to do out of appreciation, not an obligation. It’s a way to say thank you to the people who make your life a little easier or a little richer throughout the year.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Who do you tip and how much? Here's your holiday tipping guide