Homemade items such as a platter of shortbread cookies, a slab of fudge or a plate or tarts also are appropriate gift ideas.You shouldn't wait for the holidays to tip your hairstylist. Below, a handy guide to holiday tipping using information gleaned from the Emily Post Institute and Sharon Schweitzer, an … Q: I've heard of people giving gifts to everyone from their neighbors to their postal carriers and hairdressers, is that expected?

If you see the person(s) so often you consider them a personal friend, then a gift is probably more comfortable than a cash tip for you to give and for them to receive. But how much is appropriate to give?

A 15-percent tip makes more sense. If your stylist is never without a cup of gourmet coffee, give a card to her favorite coffee shop. The Emily Post Institute advises tipping between 15 and 20 percent for hair salon visits. If you often talk about recent books you've read, give a card to a book store. Naturally, you will not tip them more than what you’d tip the stylist, but give them something. "It's a different type of gift," she says, "because it comes from a place of appreciation for providing the support to the child.

"Toronto-based journalist William McCoy has been writing since 1997, specializing in topics such as sports, nutrition and health. The only time this isn't true is during the holiday season: Tip your hairdresser a little extra around the holidays (an additional 10 percent should do it) as a generous bonus.

This commenting section is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page. She says a small token gift from your child is more meaningful. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. A majority of Americans (66%) give tips to at least one service provider during the holiday season, according to "Our goal is to show gratitude for the services they extend to us throughout the year," says Elaine Swann, etiquette expert and founder of the She says that when you give a tip, put it in an envelope. "She warns that giving  money to your kid's teacher can come across as bribery.

Still, getting a haircut in a cheaper location is no excuse for being cheap. Despite there not being a set value applied to their services, anything between $5 to $20 is typical. Has your hairdresser gone above and beyond this year, whether it be fitting you in the schedule for a quick trim or taking extra time to get your highlights just right? I think the tipping thing is way out of control. "You don't have to feel obliged to give money to everybody," Whitmore says.Lena Koropey, founder of the business etiquette consultancy Gramercy Protocol, offers the following guideline on whom to tip and how much to give, depending on where they serve you:The standard in the domestic staff industry is to provide an end-of-the-year bonus around the holidays. A box of homemade fudge or a hand-knitted scarf are personal, creative and appreciated. Write a specific message such as "I always appreciate how you're so attentive when I'm in the chair" and close the card with a cheerful sentiment. So, for instance, if you go to the hairdresser every three or four months, then tip $25-$30 instead (or give a gift of that value).

Common sense, specific circumstances, and holiday spirit should always be your guide. And who in your life deserves a little acknowledgement? "If you get a haircut and the cost is $50, feel free to give them a holiday tip that equals the cost of one service," Koropey says.

If she gardens, splurge on a gift card for the local nursery so she can pick up something for the spring planting season.If you prefer to give a wrapped gift, keep it small. Advice on how much “double” is varies widely, of course. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. It's a common question during the festive season. It is polite to tip taxi drivers around 10% of the fare, though most customers round up to the nearest pound when paying. "You might tip on the higher end—greater than $10—when your apprentice has spent a significant amount of time servicing you: severe detangling, applying treatments, styling … It’s a straight-forward question, but it’s also a double-edged question for the hairdresser. An Amazon gift card, for example, will allow them to choose a gift that works best for them. "Basically, the only things I don't order online is food, and that's just because I haven't gathered the courage to do it yet," Palmer says. If you visit with your stylist often (at least once a week) and forgo a tip during each styling session, a holiday tip should mirror the cost of one session. If you tip each time you visit the salon, a holiday tip of $25 to $50 is appropriate. . Hairdresser/Nail Tech: tip should equal the average amount you spend on one visit. Swann says that when deciding how much to tip, it's important to consider that workers in the service industry are often underpaid the rest of the year. "It's a much more streamlined process," Koropey says. "Rather than worrying about how much extra to tip those who provide personal care, such as hairstylists, barbers, manicurists, beauticians, personal trainers and beauticians, tip them each the cost of one service if you want to be generous, Koropey says. If you tip each time you visit the salon, a holiday tip of $25 to $50 is appropriate. See you in the new year.

Gift cards are a practical holiday gift, and a gift card to a coffee shop, supermarket, gas station or general merchandise store can come in handy for your hairdresser. Instead, select a gift card. "Whitmore suggests you jot down a list of the most important service people you contact and base your tipping strategy on the amount your budget can handle. Koropey says. If you won't see your hairdresser for a few weeks, mail a small package to the salon with a card of thanks.Angela Tague writes marketing content and journalistic pieces for major brands including Bounty, The Nest, Lowe's Home Improvement and Hidden Valley. Many salons don't allow you to leave a tip on a credit card, so be sure to bring enough cash … Let this guide make it easy. Town & Country participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The Emily Post Institute advises tipping between 15 and 20 percent for hair salon visits.