Obligatory Christmas Tip Question

Xstatic3333 · December 2015

We've been working with a dog trainer on our dog's socialization problems. We've done two rounds of group classes, two private sessions, and one additional round of group classes begins in January. She started out at PetCo, but has since broken off and started her own business. I'm away tomorrow and Friday, and she's going to walk Baxter so that he doesn't have ten hour days (the length of time my H is out of the house) for $30 a day. These walks are two hours long include a bit of training and socialization, which is why it's $30. I probably won't see her again until after Christmas, when the next group class starts.

Anyway, I need to write a check for her tonight. I only budgeted for the $60, but now it occurs to me that maybe I should include a holiday tip. What would MM do?

simplyelise · December 2015

I don't think a tip is necessary. I'm not really gung-ho on the whole holiday tips for service providers, so maybe I'm too biased. Two private sessions and two walks does not seem like enough of a relationship to warrant a special gift for the holidays.

hoffse · December 2015

I agree with @simplyelise.

At most, I might do a plate of cookies or something like that as a thank you. But I don't think I would do a cash tip.

als1982 · December 2015

I wouldn't. I despise the idea of tipping out of obligation. The one person who I give extra to during the holiday season is the person who cuts my hair, and that's only because she sends out a coupon in December, so I tip her that amount back plus the usual 10-15%.

And personally, if you're going to give consumables, I'd do something prepackaged and not homemade. I just know that if I received homemade cookies from someone who I don't know well enough to have some insight into their level of personal/home cleanliness, they'd go straight in the trash.

julieanne912 · December 2015

Can you maybe throw in a Starbucks or Target gift card for like $10 or something? That might be a nice gesture, but I agree w/ the others, I don't think a cash tip is really required for only 2 days of extended dog walking.

Xstatic3333 · December 2015

Phew! Thanks guys. Way too late for anything but money at this point. I'll just keep supporting her business and send her a Christmas card (which has our dog on it, 'cause I'm that person).

For future reference, is that a common opinion on the baked goods? I always prefer homemade Christmas cookies to packaged, and it never even occurred to me to worry about cleanliness.

brij2006 · December 2015

I know it isn't a common opinion in our area, but kids can still bring homemade goods to school on birthdays in our area as well.

We get a bunch of homemade treats from clients during this time of year. It's amazing, and we eat every bit of them. Not once do we think about tossing them because they were homemade.

julieanne912 · December 2015

Homemade treats don't bother me at all, I'll eat them as long as it's something I'd like anyway. I plan on doing a lot of baking this weekend for cookie plates for my neighbors and for work.

Xstatic3333 · December 2015

brij2006 said:

I know it isn't a common opinion in our area, but kids can still bring homemade goods to school on birthdays in our area as well.

We get a bunch of homemade treats from clients during this time of year. It's amazing, and we eat every bit of them. Not once do we think about tossing them because they were homemade.

That's awesome! I know this one is going to drive me crazy once I have kids, especially since I actually have a severe nut allergy and therefore a nut-free kitchen. When I was a kid my parents and teachers worked to make sure I always had my own option and a clean space within which to eat it. Homemade all the way!

abrewer5 · December 2015

I'm 50/50 on the homemade goods. I definitely wouldn't eat something from someone I've never met... ETA: for example a new neighbor bringing food over (which does not happen in our area). I watch way too much crime TV LOL. I also tend to steer clear of certain people's dishes at potlucks at work because I've seen their desks and it scares me.

Anything family or friends make I don't think twice about and will devour

If you have a decent relationship with her, and it sounds like you do otherwise you most likely wouldn't give her key to your house and trust her with your dog I think homemade goods in the future would be appropriate.

blondie42107 · December 2015

Xstatic3333 said:

brij2006 said:

I know it isn't a common opinion in our area, but kids can still bring homemade goods to school on birthdays in our area as well.

We get a bunch of homemade treats from clients during this time of year. It's amazing, and we eat every bit of them. Not once do we think about tossing them because they were homemade.

That's awesome! I know this one is going to drive me crazy once I have kids, especially since I actually have a severe nut allergy and therefore a nut-free kitchen. When I was a kid my parents and teachers worked to make sure I always had my own option and a clean space within which to eat it. Homemade all the way!

My son is in preschool but his school is PS-5th grade. He has a peanut free classroom because a classmate has a peanut allergy. The lunch room has a peanut free table. He attends a smaller school and the staff is really good about telling parents what the restrictions are. We can bring in cupcakes or cookies for their birthdays and they always triple check with parents to make sure they are peanut free. The kids also rotate bringing in a snack and I ALWAYS make sure it's safe. It's crazy how some items are processed in facilities or on equipment that makes contact with peanuts, even though the item is far from having peanut in it.

Xstatic3333 · December 2015

blondie42107 said:

Xstatic3333 said:

brij2006 said:

I know it isn't a common opinion in our area, but kids can still bring homemade goods to school on birthdays in our area as well.

We get a bunch of homemade treats from clients during this time of year. It's amazing, and we eat every bit of them. Not once do we think about tossing them because they were homemade.

That's awesome! I know this one is going to drive me crazy once I have kids, especially since I actually have a severe nut allergy and therefore a nut-free kitchen. When I was a kid my parents and teachers worked to make sure I always had my own option and a clean space within which to eat it. Homemade all the way!

My son is in preschool but his school is PS-5th grade. He has a peanut free classroom because a classmate has a peanut allergy. The lunch room has a peanut free table. He attends a smaller school and the staff is really good about telling parents what the restrictions are. We can bring in cupcakes or cookies for their birthdays and they always triple check with parents to make sure they are peanut free. The kids also rotate bringing in a snack and I ALWAYS make sure it's safe. It's crazy how some items are processed in facilities or on equipment that makes contact with peanuts, even though the item is far from having peanut in it.

Nice! Sounds like your school is handling it exactly how I, personally, would want it handled. I'm pro-taking allergies very seriously, anti-distrust of homemade goods. The preschool I used to work at handled it similarly. It is completely crazy how many packaged goods aren't nut allergy friendly. I spent many a morning confiscating Nature Valley bars from three year olds. Not fun.

Edit: My personal allergy is ingestion only, not contact or air particles, or I obviously would have delegated that task.

kmurphy2131 · December 2015

We are giving our dog walker a gift card to dunkin donuts ($20) but she comes 2-3 times a week and has been for 6 months.She comes in my home, leaves me notes about my dog, and I know loves on my dog. My husband has a crazy schedule that involves us canceling or changing the schedule at the last minute almost every week and they do it without a complaint. For that reason, we are giving her a little extra something to show her appreciation. But for me, it's not out of obligation.

I am also getting a gift card for my dogs daycare people, to a great breakfast/lunch place in the building where they work(and I work). They take good care of my dog and post awesome pictrures on facebook. and they got her a toy for christmas. so again, it's not that I feel an obligation, it's that I truly want to thank them.

We are also tipping our cleaning lady an entire extra cleaning fee - again out fo appreciation not obligation. She once showed up AT MY APARTMENT and when I asked her not to clean my bedroom/bathroom because my husband worked overnight and was still sleeping, she left and came back two days later to do the whole thing and didn't charge a dime more. She does a great job and charges very little compared to other people.

I'm not someone who tips my hairdresser, mail man, etc. at the holidays because I feel like they are doing their job. If you feel that you WANT to show your appreciation go for it, but if it's about obligation I say skip it (and I just came on her to post a question about obligation gifts so you will soon see how i feel about them haha)

hoffse · December 2015

I have 0 problem with homemade goods. I much prefer them to store-bought. I figure anything dangerous or scary is going to die once it's in an oven at 375 degrees, and I would rather be eating things without preservatives in them.

Then again, the only time I've gotten food poisoning in my life was from a McDonald's that had a cleanliness score in the 90's.

BlueBirdMB · December 2015

My private music students often get me something, but not usually new students. Otherwise, I get money sometimes (I always take off the last week and I don't charge for it, but they'll pay me for it as a Christmas present) and/or coffee gift cards, baked goods (always homemade and I love them), and for the people who know me, more personal items (got a bottle of wine today!)

If you just started with this person and don't have a relationship, I don't think you are obligated to give them anything.

jtmh2012 · December 2015

No aversion to home baked goods here either. We had a neighbor drop off stuff when we first moved in. Ate it all. And there's always stuff in the breakroom.

short+sassy · December 2015

I am fortunate that one of my coworkers loves to cook and even owns a catering company as a p/t biz. Nobody where I work has any qualms about scarfing up all the goodies he brings to work! Yummers.

csuave · December 2015

Yesterday a coworker gave everyone in our work group a plate of cookies that she made. Very thoughtful and delicious!

dragonstarjk · December 2015

Up until June, I ran a home-based baking business out of my home, so I definitely have no problem with homemade treats However, I am particular about the looks of them or who they came from.

To address the original question--while H and I are both generous tippers when warranted, I really hate the obligatory tip for every single service on the planet. I think it cheapens the idea behind tipping in the first place. So no, I probably would not give a tip, but a plate of cookies sounds wonderful!

Also, I've often heard that tips are more warranted when the person is working for a company or working for somebody else, as they are earning an hourly wage. However, if the person providing you with a service is also the business owner, no tip is necessary.

vlagrl29 · December 2015

I always almost feel like somewhat of a failure this time of year. I've had a sinus infection for 2 weeks now that is hopefully on its way out. I forgot to get DDs 2 preschool teachers gifts. Today was her last day before break so looks like they will be getting them after the holiday

Also, I need to get on DH's butt about making our holiday photo card so we can mail them out monday-tuesday at the latest. I still need to make cookies and wrap all the gifts.

smetter04 · December 2015

@vlagrl, you're not alone! I don't even have kids and our tree isn't decorated, still need to get quite a few gifts including one for my boss, wrap said gifts and finish sewing the handmade gifts I give my aunts. On top of stress the in laws will without a doubt bring to Christmas. I'm ready for Christmas to be over. I'm such a grinch this year

Obligatory Christmas Tip Question

Re: Obligatory Christmas Tip Question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards