HELPFUL Holiday Tip Guide

[nursegirl6572]

It's always hard to know what to give people like the mail carrier, teachers, etc.  This is a good guide.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Tip This Holiday Season

"Planning for the holidays can be hectic and time consuming. While the holiday season expresses a spirit of giving, holiday tipping may be difficult to manage in terms of who should be tipped and how much should be given.

Over the past few years, consumers have set a tight budget on holiday tipping due to the nation’s frail economy. However, with a five-year high on consumer sentiment, recent labor reports, and a rise in contributions to 401(k)’s and rising house prices, a number of indicators show that the economy is steadily improving."

Click the link to see the whole guide.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/holiday-tipping-guide-2012-190918182.html

[rivll]

FOUND IT!!

Okay, being of limited means and proud of it, I am going to give gifts to everyone I love who happens to be about everyone that I know.
Starting with my research study doc and his staff.
For the staff I am making my famous minestrone soup and garlic bread (I will make the bread as well) for my nurse I have a vintage bone china tea cup and saucer from my Thrift store. For my doc, I am working on Hebrew calligraphy, writing the Hebrew for "If one has saved one life it is as if he has saved the entire world." My calligraphy sux but I really want it to work so I keep trying...
What else?
Lots of people, any more ideas?

[teko]

You could take a mason jar and put the dry ingredients of a cake mix, or cookies. I got one of these one year and it was quite unique and fun. Or you could make some fudge and put it in a decorative tin maybe?

[specialmom]

okay.  You can get a 5 x7 or 8x11 picture frame.  Put some type of paper inside that is nice to look at like scrapbooking paper.  A frame that has the insert in it to create a border, you'd put the paper behind that.  Then get a dry erase pen and attach with double sided velcro.  Then get some scrap booking materisals such as some beads you can stick on or glue on, some flowers or whatever you think the person likes matched to paper inside.  Write a thank you message on the glass.   They can then erase it when they like as it is now an cute dry erase board!

[rivll]

I like that w/ the dry ingredients in a mason jar! Good one.
No baking this year. I did that last year and nibbled as I baked, ended up nearly comatose for a few days!
Food seems to be the least expensive and most versatile of gifts to make though..

[specialmom]

Good idea teko.  You could make up a hot chocolate one with hot choc. mix, choc. chips and then mini marshmallows.  Put in a frosting pastry bag and tie off.  Then place it in a new mug for your lucky recipient.  

[rivll]

I like that! I have 2 people who would enjoy and find that useful. The trick is the right decorative objects-that could be very fun.