Giving gifts to people in service positions can be a tricky one.  I’ve asked my friend Lee Cordon of Do Say Give to share her thoughts on giving monetary gifts.

Enjoy!

One of the truest signs of grace and refinement is how you treat those that work for and around you. Christmas is the traditional time to do year-end thanking  to our housekeepers, nail technicians, hair stylists and more. But sometimes we don’t know what’s appropriate or enough. So I’ve put together a little guide that will help you remember all those who help you throughout the year.

I always defer to Emily Post for proper etiquette on topics like this. She has a comprehensive chart of suggested amounts for monetary gifts, but I summarized them below to make it a bit easier. Again, these are just suggested amounts to use as a guideline for those that want to give monetary gifts.

For the people that I know well, in addition to giving a check, I also like to give a small gift. Something to make the gesture more thoughtful and sincere. Maybe it’s beautiful soaps, lotion, or a candle. Or perhaps it’s a little something from a store I know they love.  Or maybe I’ll buy them something I know they might not buy for themselves but would really enjoy.

And although checks and gifts are certainly appreciated, I always think it kind to write a nice note, or even just say a few words of gratitude, to present with your gift, particularly to those who are very close to your family. We all know the satisfaction that comes with being praised or appreciated and by bosses and we should do the same for those that work hard to help us with our homes and/or our children.

So as you buy wonderful gifts for your family and friends this holiday season, be sure to extend the same giving heart to those who help you throughout the year. Maybe even tip your waiter a little bit more this season or do something a little extra to spread the Christmas spirit.

Happy Giving!

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing others’ burdens, easing other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.–W. C. Jones

-Lee

Lee is a former event planner now wife, mother, and homemaker who writes at DoSayGive where she shows gracious and lovely ways to do, say, and give. This Christmas season DoSayGive is a wonderful place to get fabulous and meaningful gift ideas for your loved ones. Visit www.dosaygive.com.

Source:

Monetary Guidelines: EmilyPost.com

Photo: Megan-Mueller Weaver