Holiday Tipping Guide 2026: Who to Tip, How Much and What It Adds Up To

Short answer: for most people you see regularly, a holiday tip of about the cost of one visit is the usual starting point, or $20 to $50 where there is no visit price. In Bankrate's latest survey, the median tips were $50 for housekeepers and landscapers, $48 for childcare, $25 for teachers and trash collectors, and $20 for mail carriers. Giving to all six comes to $218. If that is too much this year, a smaller amount or a handwritten note is perfectly acceptable.

Who this is for: US households deciding who to tip this December and how to pay for it. What it does not cover: everyday restaurant tipping, or customs outside the US. Amounts are medians and etiquette conventions, not rules, and your town or building may have its own norms. If you employ a nanny or housekeeper directly, there is a tax note below.

The numbersWhat people actually give

Bankrate asks every year, and the latest figures are from a survey of 2,445 adults in October 2025. The 2026 results usually appear in early December, so we will update this table when they do.

Two things stand out. Skipping a tip is common: for mail carriers and trash collectors, most people who use the service give nothing. And Bankrate found that 38% feel obligated to tip whatever the service, while 56% give more for better service. That leaves plenty of room to decide for yourself.

The guideWho to tip, and a sensible amount

The survey does not cover everyone, so the second column mixes survey medians with etiquette conventions. Where the two differ, go with what you can afford and how often you use the service.

The rule people missMail carriers cannot take cash

Postal workers are federal employees with gift limits. Carriers can accept a gift worth up to $20 per occasion, and no more than $50 from one customer in a calendar year. Cash, checks and gift cards that work like cash, such as a Visa gift card, are not allowed. A $15 coffee shop card, a box of cookies or a note is fine. The figures here come from press reports of USPS rules, and your post office can confirm the details.

Private delivery drivers have their own employer policies, and some companies discourage cash too. Teachers at public schools and city trash crews may also fall under local gift rules, so a quick check with the school or city can avoid an awkward moment.

Your budgetWhat it adds up to

Most guides stop at a list, but the total matters more. Tips usually are not in the gift budget, so they arrive as a surprise in the most expensive month of the year.

The short list is $25 for the teacher, a $20 gift for the mail carrier, and $15 each for the trash crew and a low-cost haircut. The family list is $50 for the housekeeper, $60 for a sitter paid $12 an hour for a few hours a week, $25 each for two teachers and trash, $20 for mail and $30 for a haircut.

Put it next to your gifts. PwC's 2026 outlook has the average shopper spending $708 on gifts, and on that number a $235 tip list adds about a third. Our holiday gift budget guide shows how to set that total.

When money is tightWhat to do instead

You do not owe anyone a tip you cannot afford. People who do this work tend to remember kindness and reliability as much as money.

• Write a note. Mention something specific. A note to a teacher or carer can mean more than $10.
• Give something homemade. Baked goods suit anyone who cannot accept cash.
• Tip less, not nobody. $10 with a card is better than skipping someone you value out of embarrassment.
• Leave a review. For a hairdresser, cleaner or landscaper with a small business, a good public review and a referral can bring in far more than a tip.
• Pay on time all year. For someone who works for you directly, this is worth more than any December envelope.

Employers and workersThe tax side

If you employ a nanny or housekeeper directly: a holiday bonus to a household employee is generally wages. It is not a tax-free gift, and it belongs in your payroll records if you pay household employment taxes. Keep a record of the amount and date, and ask a tax professional or payroll service if you are unsure.

If you receive holiday tips for your work: they are generally taxable income, including cash and gifts given because of your job. The new deduction for tips applies only to voluntary tips in listed occupations and has limits, so check it before assuming you qualify. Self-employed workers can note them in an expense and income tracker so that the year-end numbers are complete.

Common questionsFAQ

Do I have to tip at the holidays?
No. It is a custom, not an obligation, and the survey shows many people skip it. Most people give only to those they see regularly.

Is it okay to give a gift card rather than cash?
Yes, and for teachers and mail carriers it is often the better choice, as long as it is store-specific for carriers and stays within the limit. For nannies, cleaners and hairdressers, cash is usually preferred.

I tip every visit. Do I also need a holiday tip?
Not necessarily. If you already tip well, a smaller amount or a note is fine. If the person comes regularly, an extra tip is still a common way to say thanks.

What about someone I have only used a few times?
You can skip it, or give a small amount. Conventions like "one visit" assume a regular relationship.

When should I give it?
Before the holidays, usually in the first three weeks of December. Earlier helps the recipient, since they may be counting on it for their own holiday spending.

How should I handle it if I have several children and teachers?
Group gifts are an easy answer. Many classes pool money through a parent, which gets a bigger gift to the teacher for less from each family.

The takeawayDecide the total, then the names

Holiday tipping gets stressful when each decision is made at the door. Make the list once, pick a total you can pay in cash, and save for it over the next six weeks. Start with those who help you most, respect the few rules that exist, and let a good note do the rest.