Holiday Tipping Calculator
Noncash gift under $20
$25-100
~1 week's pay
$50-100
Up to 1 session
$20-100
~1 week's service
Noncash, up to $75
Ranges sourced from Consumer Reports' holiday giving guide and official USPS/FedEx policy. None of these are obligations — treat them as a starting point and adjust to your own budget and relationships. This is general guidance, not financial advice.
Free holiday tipping calculator and guide — see suggested tip ranges for 8 regular service providers (mail carrier, doorman, house cleaner, and more), enter what you plan to give each, and track the running total against your holiday tipping budget. Flags which providers can't legally accept cash.
How it works
- See suggested holiday tip ranges for 8 common service providers, sourced from Consumer Reports and official USPS/FedEx policy
- Enter how much you plan to give each one
- See your running total against your overall holiday tipping budget, with a warning if you're about to go over
Frequently asked questions
Can I give my mail carrier cash for the holidays?
No. USPS ethics rules prohibit carriers from accepting cash, checks, or bank/credit-card-issued gift cards. A noncash gift under $20 per occasion (like a gift card to a specific retailer or coffee shop) is allowed, up to $50 total per year from one household.
How much should I tip my doorman or building superintendent?
Consumer Reports suggests $25-100 depending on the level of service you receive throughout the year — more if they've gone out of their way, less for occasional help.
Can I tip my FedEx or UPS driver?
FedEx policy allows drivers to accept noncash gifts up to $75, but not cash or cash-equivalent gift cards. UPS drivers are generally encouraged to decline cash gratuities, though a small gift is usually welcome.
What if I can't afford to tip everyone on this list?
None of these are obligations — they're a guide to common ranges. A smaller amount with a genuine thank-you note, or skipping a category some years, is completely normal. Set your own budget and let the calculator show you what fits.
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From the blog
Holiday Tipping Guide 2026: Who to Tip and How Much (Plus the Cash Rules Nobody Mentions)
Most holiday tipping guides are static articles you have to add up by hand — and almost none mention that your mail carrier legally can't accept the cash you're about to hand them. Here's a calculator that tracks both.
2026-09-23
80% of People Set a Holiday Gift Budget — 45% Blow Right Through It
Setting a holiday budget and actually sticking to it turn out to be two very different things. Here's what the research says about why, and a free per-person tracker built to catch it before you check out.
2026-09-23Update history
- 2026-09-23 Launched: holiday tipping calculator with 8 service-provider categories sourced from Consumer Reports plus official USPS/FedEx cash-gift policy, a running total, and a budget-vs-total warning.