Holiday Tipping in Nyack: Who and How Much

As much as we don’t like to admit it, gifts are a huge part of the holidays and gift-giving can be stressful.

Holiday tips are customary for the people who drop your New York Times subscription at your door and take care of your children so you and your partner can have a night out in Piermont or Pearl River.

But deciding who gets how big of a holiday tip can be difficult; you want to show appreciation — without going overboard or, for that matter, underboard.

Patch can’t help you choose which candle your mother-in-law will love, but we can help you figure out those pesky end-of-the-year tips no one quite knows how to handle. Take a look at the guide below for holiday tipping advice from The Emily Post Institute:

Paper carrier: Cash or a small gift: $10-$30

Babysitter: Cash and a gift: One evening’s pay and a small gift from your children.

• Real Simple suggests a tip worth two night’s pay and a handmade gift for exceptional babysitters. Never forget the gift, it’s a teaching moment: chances are your sitter will be giving a gift to your kids.

Barber/Hair Stylist: Cash or gift: Up to the cost of one haircut

Gardener: Cash or a gift: $20-$50.

• Real Simple agrees, but suggests more if your garden needs frequent care: up to a week’s pay.

Housekeeper: Cash and/or a gift: One week’s pay

See a service provider not on our list? Check out Real Simple’s list of 23 service providers you should tip during the holidays.