Holiday tipping season is approaching, and a 2026 guide reviewed customary amounts for dozens of service providers, from house cleaners and dog walkers to teachers, delivery workers and mail carriers. The recommendations are starting points rather than fixed requirements, and the guide emphasizes keeping a running total as gifts are given.
The Emily Post Institute’s guidance generally bases a holiday tip on how often a worker provides a service. For someone seen weekly or every other week, the customary amount is about the price of one visit. That could mean the cost of one cleaning, haircut or training session. For full-time caregivers, nannies and daily dog walkers, the guideline is about one week’s pay.
Common ranges in the guide
Workers who provide occasional help or are part of a larger crew typically receive less than regular individual providers. The guide lists a range of $10 to $50 per person for crews and occasional helpers, depending on the service and the relationship.
- Regular weekly or biweekly providers: about the cost of one visit.
- Full-time nannies, au pairs and private caregivers: about one week’s pay.
- Occasional helpers and service crews: generally $10 to $50 per person.
- Teachers: a median holiday gift of $25 in Bankrate’s 2025 survey.
Bankrate’s survey of 2,445 U.S. adults found that the median reported holiday tip for house cleaners was $50. The survey also found median gifts of $50 for lawn and snow crews and $20 for mail carriers. The figures describe what respondents reported giving in 2025, while etiquette guidelines can vary by provider and circumstance.
Federal employment rules apply to some workers on the list. The guide says U.S. Postal Service carriers and other federal employees generally cannot accept cash or cash-equivalent gift cards. Their gifts are limited to $20 per occasion, according to the guidance summarized by the guide.
Planning before giving
The guide recommends making a list of regular providers, occasional helpers and larger crews before deciding how many gifts are involved. It also advises tracking the total while giving, rather than treating each tip as an isolated expense. That approach can help show the combined cost of the season and keep the amount committed to gifts within a person’s available budget.
Holiday tipping customs are not identical for every job. The guide notes that the suggested amount can depend on how often a person provides service, whether the worker is part of a crew and whether workplace rules restrict what can be accepted. A cash tip or gift that is customary for one provider may not be permitted for another.
