Holiday tipping 101

As people do their Christmas shopping, many have a few extra names on their list every year – such as their cleaning lady or hair dresser.

Knowing the etiquette of who to tip and how much can get stressful. We sat down with the co-founder of Desert Best Friend’s Closet, Connie Golds, an organization that provides low income women with proper job interview clothes, and real world etiquette.

“I think you’re not obligated to tip. It’s something you want to do. Two things to consider what is your budget and who are the people on your list?” Golds said.

Golds says the longer you know someone or used their services, the bigger the gift should be. Otherwise, “One week of service is considered a standard tip. For example a housekeeper, you would pay them one week’s worth of what your fee is.”

A holiday thank you doesn’t always have to mean money.

“If it’s the baby-sitter or child care provider and you don’t have a lot of money maybe something the kids made, make cookies together, something from the kids and from the heart,” Golds said.

We asked people about their tipping norm.

“If they do a good job consistently over the course of a year, they deserve a bit extra. It’s the holidays everybody should share,” James Nemetz said.

“If there is a personal relationship and you feel you receive extra care I would say yes,” Jeri Barry.

A couple people did tell us off camera they don’t think it’s necessary to tip during the holidays. They said, “why tip someone for doing their job?”

“Let me say this, one thing I’ve learned. Business is all about relationship. Especially in a small community like this,” Golds said.