Should I Tip the Babysitter?

In my recent Forbes magazine, it was talking about tipping during the holiday season. I was surprised to find the number of people that you should tip! It definitely had the babysitter/nanny on there. There was also your garbage man, cleaning lady, and newspaper boy! It's crazy! I can kinda understand, but I keep thinking that before too much longer, the gas station cashier will have a tip jar sitting there! I think that Christmas gifts are fine, instead of a tip, but maybe in the form of a gift card.

My toddler goes to daycare, and I gave her 2 teachers gift cards tucked into a holiday card. Childcare providers are not in this profession because of the money; it's purely because of their love for children. So I always try to appreciate them as much as I can.

FYI: Jewel has a whole Kiosk full of gift cards, ranging from Bath and Body works (which is what I gave to the teachers) to Nordstrom's, Target, Starbucks, and Amex gift cards. U can put whatever amount of money you want on them.
Good luck and happy holidays!

Depends. If you hire a sitter through an agency then you should tip regularly. I've worked for a couple agencies and the average tip was $40 a sit. Sitters hired through agencies have extensive experience, background checked, interviewed, CPR training etc. They also split the amount earned with the agency for receptionists, managers, etc. If hiring privately or in the case of a daycare, holiday gifts in the form of gift cards or cash are appreciated. It also depends on your relationship with your sitter. While in college, the family I sat for became like a second family, so I was invited to different events like birthdays. Also, they took very good care of me, by giving a gift card to pier 1 when I got my first apartment and extending invitation to allow my friends and I visit their vacation home. Just depends on your situation.

It's really whatever you can afford/would like to do. Giftcards are always a great way to go - Target, the mall, et. :)

We also tip the garbage man, post man, girl that does my hair...anyone that provides a regular service to you should generally be tipped, whether it is with cash or by a gift card, or something else as a gift.

Dear M.,
I think it was very nice of you to give the family gifts. I would only do what you truly can afford. I don't think it is necessary to feel that you can only show people appreciation with cash/gift cards only. Homemade treats are also a nice way to show appreciation. Again, live within your means and do what you can afford.

I think giving her family gifts was enough and very thoughtful of you. If you can afford to give a cash gift to her, than I think that would be very generous of you, but not necessary. I'm sure I'll be in the minority on this one.

I don't know if money would be more appropriate, but yes, some kind of present around Christmas is nice. We give a small gift to the mail lady, babysitter, and water delivery guy. The paper deliverers also are ones to tip.