This year, avoid the quagmire that is holiday tipping with our How to Tip During the Holidays guide. The people you rely all year round deserve your thanks, and now you'll know exactly how to it.

This year, avoid the quagmire that is holiday tipping with our How to Tip During the Holidays guide. The people you rely all year round deserve your thanks, and now you'll know exactly how to it.

• Last year, Americans tipped an estimated $26 billion, says Michael Lynn, an associate professor of consumer behavior at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. Be sure to reward those you couldn't live without with a holiday gift or cash tip this time of year to say thank you. Read on to find out exactly who, what, and how to tip during the holidays.

Don't forget your doorman this season. (Creative Commons photo by Andy)

• Determining the list of people you should tip this season is your first big step.

1. In general, it's correct to tip "anyone who makes a regular appearance" at your home, like babysitters or nannies, housecleaners, your newspaper delivery person or dog walker.
2. If you live in an apartment building, doormen and building superintendents should also be a high priority on your to-tip list.
3. Anyone in your style posse deserves something extra this season: hairstylists, waxers, cobblers, manicurists, facialists, or anyone else that keeps you (and your shoes) looking good.
4. Use the following guidelines to decide who deserves something extra this season, and for a full list, see Emily Post's suggestions:

• • 1. The quality and frequency of the service
    2. Your relationship with the service provider and how long you have worked together
    3. Your budget
    4. Regional customs

1. Where you live will help determine the list of people to tip. "In New York, your child's school-bus driver expects it," says Colleen Rickenbacher, an etiquette expert in Dallas and author of Be On Your Best Business Behavior, "whereas in Colorado, they might cry and say thank you. They don't expect it."

2. If you have recently moved to a new place, ask your neighbors or co-workers what is expected there.

3. People in the Northeast are the biggest tippers, while Southerners tip the least, says Michael Lynn.

4. But tips in the South are often given along with a gift, or are replaced by a homemade gift, says Rickenbacher.

1. Your accountant.
2. Your lawyer.
3. Your dentist.
4. Employees at your gym (if you pay a regular fee to belong).
5. Professionals you only see once or twice a year.
6. Your children's teachers—though a handwritten note or gift is appropriate.
7. Your mail carrier—United States Postal Service employees are not allowed to accept tips.
8. Your assistant at work. Though in this case, a gift should be mandatory.

• • "Not to give anything to your assistant is not only mean but stupid. Have you forgotten all the things she knows about you?" notes Francesca Beauman, author of Everything but the Kitchen Sink: What Every Modern Woman Needs to Know.

• Anyone who went above and beyond for you this year deserves recognition.

1. If you couldn't live without a particular person—the seamstress who is always available for a last-minute alteration, even if it's only a couple times a year—this is the time of year to acknowledge him or her.
2. Someone who provided exceptional service this year in particular might deserve more than his or her regular tip.

How much is enough? (Creative Commons photo by Betsy Fletcher)

• Deciding how much to tip can be the trickiest part of holiday tipping. Here are the general rules.

1. Remember that the list below is merely a guideline.
2. Many of the services below may not apply to you, or those providing this service do so infrequently and do not need a holiday tip.
3. If you've had exceptional service from someone this year, you may wish to do more.
4. Consider what is customary in your area; asking close friends what they've done in the past is perfectly acceptable.
5. Be sure to factor tipping into your holiday budget. You shouldn't be blowing the whole budget on tipping before you've bought a single gift for your family.
6. Above all, use common sense!

1. Nanny: One week's pay or an equivalent gift, plus a small gift from your child.

2. Regular babysitter: One evening's pay, plus a small gift from your child.

3. Day care provider: $20 to $70 each, and/or a gift from your child.

4. Teachers: A gift from your child. Be sure to check your child's school policy on gift giving.

5. Coaches, tutors, music instructors, etc.: A small gift from your child.

1. Housecleaners: Up to one week's pay.

2. Dog walker: One week's pay or equivalent gift.

3. Landscaper or gardener: $20 to $50. If their last service was in the fall, it's better to tip then.

4. Garbage collector (if private): $10 to $30.

5. Pool cleaner: Cost of one cleaning, to be split among crew. If your pool is closed for the season, you can skip the holiday tip.

1. UPS or FedEx delivery person: A small gift. FedEx doesn't allow cash or a gift worth more than $75. UPS does not have a policy on accepting tips.

2. Mail carrier: USPS employees are not allowed to accept cash but can accept gifts up to a $20 limit.

3. Newspaper delivery person: $10 to $30, or the amount of one month of the subscription price.

1. Hairstylist: Cost of one haircut or an equivalent gift. If you're an infrequent customer, simply double your usual tip.

2. Facialist: Cost of one session or gift.

3. Manicurist/Pedicurist: Cost of one session or gift.

4. Waxer: Cost of regular service or gift.

5. Salon staff: The cost of one salon visit divided between staff members.

6. Massage therapist: Cost of regular service or gift.

7. Physical trainer: If not affiliated with your gym, cost of one session or gift. If affiliated with your gym, a tip is not expected but a gift is appropriate.

8. Yoga instructor, tennis instructor, piano teacher, or other instructor: Cost of one session or an equivalent gift, especially if your instructor visits your home. If you take a group class or attend infrequently, you don't need to tip.

1. Property managers/superintendents: $20 to $200 (ask around your building).

2. Doorman: $20 to $200 (ask around your building). Renters generally tip less than owners.

3. Elevator operator: $15 to $40.

4. Handyman: $15 to $40.

5. Parking attendants: $20 to $30.

1. Your boss: A small gift or card, depending on office culture.

2. Your assistant: A gift that reflects how long he or she has worked for you and how above and beyond he or she has gone this year.

3. Co-workers: If you aren't giving to everyone, give small gifts to particular co-workers outside the office. Again, consider office culture.

1. Pet groomer: Cost of a regular session or a gift.

2. Maitre d' (at favorite restaurant): $20 to $50.

3. Waiter at your regular lunch spot: $5 or more.

4. Nursing home worker: up to $50 gift.

5. Physical therapist: small gift or holiday card.

Who doesn't appreciate a nice tip? (Creative Commons photo by Jennifer Rensel)

• How you present your gift sends a message, too.

1. Present your gift with a handwritten note saying thank you for the year's service.
2. Give your tip in person whenever possible.
3. If a child is giving a gift to a teacher or nanny and is too young to buy something, have him or her make a gift. This task will help your children understand how to treat someone who matters in their lives.
4. Choose bills carefully. Using the largest note possible (so a $100 bill for a $100 tip, or two $20 bills for a $40 tip) shows you took time to prepare your gesture.
5. Crisp new bills also come across as more thoughtful than what you might have crinkled up in your wallet.
6. Write a check for amounts over $100 or for any tips you send through the mail.

• Anytime between Thanksgiving and December 25th is within the expected window for holiday tips. Of course tipping early may make the holidays easier for some.

Gift cards for everyday items are good alternatives to big cash tips. (Creative Commons photo by Shunsuke Kobayashi)

• Cash is not the only way to show thanks during the holidays.

1. "Forget about what you ought to do. Do what you can, and do it in the nicest way you possibly can," says Peter Post, director of the Emily Post Institute.
2. Focus on a useful item if you can't afford a big cash tip. Gift cards for the local coffee shop are always popular, even in small amounts.
3. Homemade gifts still show you are thoughtful when you can't afford to give cash tips.
4. Be careful with edible tips. Your yoga instructor might not want fudge for the holidays, right?
5. "Give a small token now and a bigger tip at the Fourth of July to smooth out your budget," recommends Jodi R.R. Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting.
6. Better yet, make tipping a year-round practice and you'll feel less guilty about the amount you give come year-end.

• There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to holiday tipping. Do bear in the mind the following considerations, however.

1. You don't have to give as much to a new service provider since you have yet to form a relationship.
2. On the other hand, some people believe that a good holiday tip will ensure good service for the coming year, and the consequences of a bad tip aren't worth it.
3. Alcohol is not recommended, as it is difficult to know if someone may not drink.
4. While some homemade gifts are nice, don't give anything too eccentric.
5. Also avoid gifts that may seem too intimate for those with whom you don't have a personal relationship. For office gifts, Hilka Klinkenberg, founder of Etiquette International, says, "If it touches skin, it's too personal."
6. Says Simon Doonan, creative director at Barney's, it's also crucial to keep good records. "You have to keep meticulous records on your computer. Because if you tipped less this year, it would be horrible! They'd think they'd done something dreadful. Efficient tipping requires good recordkeeping. It's like a whole other job."

• Introduction
• Step 1: Decide Whom to Tip
• Step 2: Make Exceptions
• Step 3: Determine an Amount
• Step 4: Make it Count
• Step 5: If You Can't Afford to Tip
• Step 6: Final Considerations