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]

Hilarious! I love that! What a great way to deal with a situation like that, lol. Very good sm.

Even though I don't do Christmas, I live it vicariously through others. Love the lights, trees and ornaments. I have made some bird ornaments that ppl liked.
I sometimes do small bird paintings and put them in little antique frames from the thrift store.

It really is the thought that matters.
Last year I gave the guy in the parking garage of the medical building of the Dr. office I vist, some home baked cookies.
Poor guy is stuck underground all day breathing in those fumes. He is always quite grumpy but he broke into the biggest grin when I gave him the cookies, acted like I gave him the hope diamond! Being remembered is the best thing ever.

[teko]

I like to do Christmas ornaments. I do this for my clients. They are fairly inexpensive and you can get unique ones. Down here you can get blow fish, frogs, shells, santa in a speedo, just about anything you can think of. I just wrap it up, with a card and stick a candy cane on it. Its small, but its the thought that counts.


Im loving these ideas, keep em coming. I liked the one with the hot chocolate in the tea cup.

I have a mug with obamas birth certificate on it that I am giving to my little republican tea party nephew! Its called a gag gift. Im sure he will

[specialmom]

Ha.  Well, I'm one of the younger ladies in my family (aunts, cousins, sister,  all older than me) and years ago they would have a cookie exchange.  I was just sharpening my domestic skills at the time and felt honored to be included in this tradition.  I didn't realize how competitive it was.  Lordy, it was like the olympics of cookie making.  Each person would try to top the other and they took it all VERY seriously.  They'd each make several different kinds.  Hm.  

So, I got out cookbooks and came up with my shopping list.  After spending way more money that I probably should of to get all the ingedients, I set to work.  Within about 5 minutes, I was sweaty, frustrated, the kitchen was a disaster and I'd burned out my electric mixer.  

So, I packaged up a bag for each lady in the cookie exchange the ingredients for the cookies and a copy of the recipe and brought that instead.  

My family still makes fun of me to this day.  But personally, I think I was the SMART one in the bunch!

[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.

[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 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..