Document text
Holiday tipping and thank-you gifts 2026
Who you tip at the holidays, how much, and what to put aside each week — with the Postal Service's gift rules
Who: [YOUR NAME]
Day you hand out tips and gifts: [DATE]
1. Holiday tips and gifts
Item How many Price each Total
Mail carrier — a gift worth $20 or less, no cash or gift cards [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Trash and recycling crew [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Hairstylist or barber (your amount) 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
House cleaner (your amount) 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Babysitter or nanny (your amount) 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Teachers and daycare staff — gift or gift card [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Building staff: doorman, super, porters [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Others: dog walker, lawn care, newspaper carrier, trainer [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Total $ [TOTAL]
Already saved $ [AMOUNT]
Still to save $ [AMOUNT]
2. Put aside each week until [DATE]
Date Put aside Saved by then Done
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
3. My list
Name Role Amount Given Card
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
4. Thank-you note
Dear [NAME],
Thank you for everything you do for our family this year — [WHAT THEY DO]. We are grateful, and we wish you and yours a happy holiday season.
Warmly, [YOUR NAME]
Good to know (checked October 21, 2026) • USPS: a gift worth $20 or less per occasion, $50 a year from one customer; never cash, checks or cash-like gift cards. • A holiday bonus for a nanny or house cleaner is wages — household employer rules in IRS Publication 926. • No official rule sets holiday tip amounts: the examples are yours to change. • Schools and daycares may limit gifts to staff — check first.
A tipping budget, not etiquette rules. USPS gift rules and IRS Publication 926, checked October 21, 2026.