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TORONTO, December 22, 2008 – Almost a third of Canadians plan to spend less this holiday season compared to last year, pointing to current economic conditions as the reason. Consequently, many won't give the kind of tip they normally would during the holidays to their barbers, hairdressers, housekeepers and babysitters – people who provide a service and rely on tips to help them meet their own holiday spending expenses.
“The service sector continues to be a critical component of the Canadian economy, accounting for three quarters of the country's labour force,” said Douglas Porter, Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Nesbitt Burns. “Canada's job market has cooled considerably in the past year, with employment growth slowing and the unemployment rate beginning to rise from its three-decade low at the start of 2008.” On the positive side, Mr. Porter added that labour markets remain much healthier in Canada compared to the United States.
For many workers, tips are an important part of their overall income that really help them meet the extra expenses of the holiday season. Those expectations probably take on even more relevance, given today's economic realities and concerns about job security.
If you are re-evaluating whether to give a tip at all or how much to tip, keep in mind how long you've used the person's service, how important that service is to you and how good it was. People will understand if you can't be as generous as usual. What's important is that you take the time to say thank you in a meaningful way to the people who need it most and mean the most to you.
Below are a list of service providers and other professionals with suggested tips or gifts to consider for each:
| Service Workers and Other Professionals | Suggested Gift or Gratuity |
| Baby Sitter | A tip up to the value of one sitting and a small gift from child |
| Barber | Double your usual tip or a gift up to the value of one haircut |
| Cleaning Lady / Housekeeper | A tip of up to one weeks' pay or the cost of one visit |
| Condominium Staff (usually pool contributions with other tenants through condo association) | Ask your condo association for guidance, but 10 – 20 per cent of monthly condo fee is a good rule of thumb for a building with full services |
| Day Care Workers | Gift from child with value up to $40 |
| Dog Groomer | Gratuity up to half the cost of the session |
| Dog Walker | Gratuity up to one days' pay |
| Fitness Instructors/Personal Trainers | A gift up to the value of one session |
| Full-Time Nanny | Up to one weeks' salary |
| Hair Salons (The stylist, assistant stylist, such as the person who shampoos your hair and colourist should all receive tips. It is customary to tip the standard 15 per cent to everyone separately) | Double your usual tip or a gift up to the value of one visit |
| Building Superintendent | Gift of up to $80 |
| Newspaper Carriers | Gift of up to $20 |
| School Bus Driver | Gift of up to $20 |
| School Crossing Guard | Gift of up to $20 |
| Seniors Care Givers (in-home) | Up to $200 |
| Esthetician –(standard tip is 15 per cent, just as it is in the restaurant industry) | Double your usual tip or a gift up to the value of one visit. |
| Taxi and Limo Drivers (standard 15 per cent) | More than usual 15% tip |
| Teacher | A handwritten thank you note or a small gift or gift certificate – value up to $25 |
| Tutors, Instructors, Coaches | A handwritten thank you note or a small gift from child with value up to $20 |
| Valet Parking Attendant | More than usual tip |
* based on a survey of Tipping Guidelines web sites
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