Holiday tipping in hard times

Despite tight-money woes, Americans are unlikely to cut back on holiday tipping, according to a nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. We asked almost 1,900 U.S. residents what they gave last holiday season, when the economy was already unraveling, and found few differences from a year earlier.

House cleaners got the biggest gratuities, $50 on average, followed by child-care providers, with an average tip of $38. In the 12 other categories we list, the average was between $15 and $25, roughly in line with earlier findings.

Strategies for giving

Author Anna Post, the etiquette legend Emily Post's great-great-granddaughter and a spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute, says how much and whom you tip depend on variables such as the quality and frequency of the service as well as the length and strength of your relationship. "It is easier to jump first to the people you see face-to-face," Post says, "but try to think of the people who do things all year long that you may not see."

If your budget is tight, consider allocating tips this way:

Cash

Give cash or a check to people you think need it most. In many cases, one week's pay or the cost of one session (such as a guitar lesson) is appropriate. Avoid bank-issued gift cards, which might expire or have fees. Even retail cards can be useless if the store goes bankrupt.

Small gifts

For others, consider giving soaps, a candle, or baked goods. Unless you know the person well, try something unlikely to offend or cause allergic reactions. If you regularly tip a service provider such as a barber, a small gift or card is a good way to say thanks.

Be aware that mail carriers aren't allowed to take cash or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, the Postal Service says. (They can accept noncash gifts or gift cards worth $20 or less.) And school districts might frown on cash gifts to teachers.

Other ideas

If your budget is very tight, handwrite a note of thanks. "Something is always nicer than nothing," Post says.