The holidays are here! Which means full restaurants, busy lobbies, and more doorstep deliveries than ever. From servers and bartenders to delivery drivers and housekeepers, these professionals make the holidays easier, more enjoyable, and more memorable for all of us. While holiday tipping is not mandatory, it is a longstanding way to show appreciation to the people who support you or your business throughout the year
At TipHaus, we believe holiday giving should be thoughtful, fair, and stress-free, for guests, workers, and operators alike. This guide breaks down current tipping norms, consumer trends, and new tools that help businesses support their teams during the busiest season.
Tipping norms are shifting fast. Digital prompts are everywhere, non-traditional tipping categories have exploded, and “tipping fatigue” is real. Consumers are confused, operators are fielding more questions than ever, and employees often feel the inconsistency in their paychecks.
Even with the noise, tipping still remains a critical part of take-home pay for hospitality workers, especially during the holidays. Consistent and transparent, tipping helps:
Being thoughtful during the holidays doesn’t just make someone’s day, it builds a more supported and appreciated workforce.
These are general guidelines, not rules. Location, relationship, level of service, and your budget all matter.
These are simply benchmarks. The relationship and consistency of service should guide your decision.
The holiday season is known for dining out and celebrating with loved ones. For the waitstaff at restaurants, the standard tipping guide percentages ranges from 15% to 20%, but consider tipping more for exceptional service that goes above and beyond expectations, especially if you are a regular customer. Similarly, bartenders deserve recognition, with a recommended tip of $1 to $2 per drink or 15% to 20% of the total bill.
If you wish to thank your FedEx and UPS drivers this holiday season, consider their gift policies, ensuring your expressions align with their guidelines. FedEx prohibits cash, gift cards, and vacations but welcomes promotional gifts, flowers, and food. UPS drivers may accept small gifts or gratuities at their discretion, subject to approval from their manager.
United States Postal Service mail carriers during the holiday season adhere to specific guidelines. Permissible items include snacks, beverages, perishable gifts, and small gifts valued at no more than $20. Larger perishable items require sharing with the entire branch. Cash, checks, and gift cards are not accepted.
A quick rule of thumb for when to leave a tip or a gift:
Tip: You regularly pay the person for a service.
Examples: cleaners, stylists, pet sitters, babysitters, servers.
Gift: You don’t pay the person directly, but they influence your daily life.
Examples: teachers, coaches, coworkers, building managers.
The holiday season often sees a rise of seasonal and temporary workers in various industries. Retail and customer service employees, working tirelessly during the holiday rush, deserve recognition. Seasonal and temporary workers also contribute significantly to the festive atmosphere. Simple gestures like a kind word or a small tip can go a long way in acknowledging their efforts.
For those seeking an alternative solution to their gratuity, consider personalized thank-you notes, homemade treats such as baked goods or snacks, or simply take a moment to share kind words. These small gestures add a personal touch that will make your service provider feel appreciated.
Holiday crowds bring higher volume, larger parties, and more opportunities for guests to show appreciation, if they have an easy way to tip. That’s why so many operators rely on Cheers by TipHaus, the fastest way to capture digital tips across your venue.
QR Code tipping helps you maximize holiday generosity by allowing guests to tip instantly, without cash, and without waiting for the check.
With Cheers by TipHaus, operators can:
More visibility = more tips earned, especially during the busiest, highest-earning season of the year.
A practical and meaningful holiday perk!
With Earned Tip Access, employees can access their tips daily, instead of waiting for payroll. It mirrors the immediacy of traditional cash tips while keeping everything compliant and automated.
This is especially impactful during the holidays when workers face higher expenses.
Restaurants like Brass Tap Baltimore have seen a 30% increase in retention after offering daily tip access. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in workers’ financial stability during the season.
TipHaus helps operators navigate unpredictable holiday traffic with clarity, automation, and event-specific flexibility.
Holiday parties, automatic gratuities, split bills, and large checks can create confusion for both guests and staff. TipHaus helps simplify communication by giving operators clear policies and transparent payout structures that are easy to explain and easy to follow.
Holiday volume often leads to mistakes when tip distribution is done manually.
TipHaus removes the guesswork by automating every calculation, enforcing your tip policy, and ensuring every employee receives the correct, compliant share, fast.
The holidays bring unique staffing patterns and special events, banquets, private parties, New Year’s celebrations, seasonal pop-ups, catering, and more.
With TipHaus, operators can:
These custom event tools ensure you're ready for anything the season brings, without needing to overhaul your entire setup. Watch the video below to learn how to prep your tip rules for the holidays in just 10 minutes!
Holiday tipping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With thoughtful guidelines, clear communication, and the right tools, operators can create a stress-free experience for guests and a rewarding season for employees.
From all of us at TipHaus, happy holidays!
If your operation wants to modernize tip distribution, automate compliance, boost holiday tips, or offer daily tip access, we’re here to help.
Discover how TipHaus can transform your restaurant's tip distribution. Click here to explore the platform.
