Wages don’t always reflect the service given, so many service providers count on tips in order to make a decent wage. Tipping is not just an option anymore, but a given, but who do you tip, and how much?
The holidays always offer opportunities to show your appreciation to those who make your life a little easier by giving them a gratuity. The rule is that anyone who provides a service should be tipped. That includes your mailman; newspaper boy; hairdresser; dog walker; your day care provider; doorman; manicurist; snow plow service; and child’s teacher. In general, anyone who you come in contact with on a regular basis and provides a service should be tipped. (Note:You do not need to tip your accountant, attorney, vet, doctor, or dentist – but a fruit basket or cookies would be nice.) 
How much should you tip, and how should you present it? Never stick a wad of cash into their hands. Take the time to give a card and insert your monetary gift. The amount is dependent on the type of service they provide. For instance, for your cleaning service a week’s pay would be in order. Waitresses or bar tenders usually receive 15-20% of the total bill. Taxi or limo services receive 15% tips. At airports, tip the skycap $1 per heavy bag, and shuttle drivers $2 per person.
According to Lifescript.com, here are some more examples of proper tipping:
- Barista - $1
- Car detailer - 15 percent
- Car washer - $2-3 for a car; $3-5 for an SUV or truck
- Coat check attendant- $1
- Emergency locksmith - $5
- Furniture or appliance delivery person - $5-10
- Hair Stylist or Color Specialist - 10-20 percent
- Manicurist, Facialist or Aesthetician - 15 percent
- Massage therapist- 20 percent
- Pet groomer - 15 percent
- Pet sitter - 15 percent
- Restroom attendant- $1
- Shampoo or other styling assistant - $2-5
- Shoe shiner- $2 .
- Tattoo or piercing artist - 10-20 percent
- Tire changer - $4 - $5
- Tow truck driver - $5
If you receive excellent service, feel free to tip more than the usual. Those you tip will remember you and continue to provide excellent service and go above and beyond to please you. It's worth the extra money it will cost you to have this type of service.
Still wondering what to get for your holiday or event gifts? Here are some suggestions put together to make your shopping easier.
1. 2-Section Wine Bag – For those wine aficionados on your list, this 2-section wine bag come in faux leather and can hold two bottles of wine. For extra oomph, include two bottles of their favorite wine.
2. Brooches – One of the biggest sellers this year are brooches. Once thought of as “old-lady” jewelry, brooches are coming back into fashion in a big way! The styles vary greatly, and the more bling the better.
3. Gift Baskets – Always in vogue, especially for a group of people, family or office – a gift basket is a considerate way to say “Thank You,” and is always full of so many different items it’s fun to see all the goodies.
4. Religious Gifts – December is the holiday month, and these holidays usually center on a religious theme or tradition. A Christian cross, Jewish menorah, or Kwanzaa decoration would make an appropriate gift.
5. Personalized Baby Blankets – A newborn or young child loves to attach themselves to a special toy or blanket. Giving a blanket personalized with their first name, along with a stuffed animal, could create a lifelong memory and friend.
6. Personalized Pub Signs or Team Plaques – No matter what sport the man (or woman) on your list is interested in, there are plaque and signs that will probably fit into their favorite theme. Create a lasting conversation piece by having their name and favorite team inscribed in a frame or plaque.
7. Picture Frames – Personalized or not, a photo frame encases a flash image of a special moment frozen in time. There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t feel touched when presented with a special picture frame, especially if you include a special picture.
8. Personalized Gifts – A gift inscribed with initials or names makes the receiver feel special – that you cared enough to take the time to give them something personal – and not just picked up something at the last minute. There is such an assortment to choose from that can be personalized – dresser boxes, business card cases, jewelry, etc.
9. Home Décor Items – Fireplace screens, fountains, Tiffany-style lamps, Stained Glass Panels, and artwork make wonderful and useful gifts that will appeal to all sorts of tastes. This could include kitchen or host/hostess items for new tenants, young people in college, or newlyweds.
10. Jewelry – All women love jewelry! Many men do too. Although brooches are a specific type of jewelry, jewelry as a category is always a coveted gift idea. Depending on their lifestyle, there are cuff links, necklaces, dog tags, watches, bracelets, earrings, etc. as well as boxes to put store them in. Many items can be personalized.
Those who have toddlers can relate with the meltdowns they experience when too over-stimulated or tired. These tantrums, which can occur in even the mellowest of youths, upset and embarrass the parents, and cause stress to even the most carefully planned event. One thing for sure about children, they are unpredictable. 
There are a few precautions you can take to ensure a quiet meal with family and friends, and avoid a meltdown.
1. Feed the children first. Once they are full they won’t be as cranky and will allow everyone else to eat their meal in peace.
2. Have a playpen or area sectioned off for them to play. Make sure there is nothing that could be harmful, and put in plenty of age-appropriate toys to keep them occupied.
3. Allow a time to relax and wind down about 30 minutes before their regular nap. With all the excitement around it may be difficult for them to get their nap on time, and a tired toddler is a cranky toddler. Have someone sit down with the little ones and read a story or do an activity that is not too active. With a full stomach, and a quiet atmosphere, a nap is only a few winks away.
4. After nap time, either take turns with other adults in giving the younger children attention. Sometimes you can rely on a teenager (and maybe even pay them) to have them spend time with the younger ones. Children want attention, and when in a crowd of people they often will feel they are not getting enough and start acting up.
People who have lived through the “terrible twos” can attest to the fact that when a toddler is in the room, there is no guarantees of angelic behavior – no matter what you do, but you can do what you can to de-stress the situation.
Happy Thanksgiving!
There's nothing wrong with family members going all out and getting things the baby can grow into, or enjoy later. After all, they grow up so fast that few things in the first couple years will be of interest for very long. One thing most want their child to have is a rocking horse . It's a toy that can be enjoyed for a couple years, and children never seem to loose their fascination for them. Many even put them away to share with the grandchildren - a gift that keeps on giving for generations!
Personalized ornaments , with the baby's name and year also make a memorable gift for Baby's first Christmas. Or, a personalized photo frame with the new baby's first portrait, or a family picture engraved with the family name and date.
Your baby only has one First Christmas, and in a year of firsts this will stand out and you'll want to record every minute.
